📖 Study Guide
Learn Japanese through stories.
These stories include Japanese culture,
daily life, travel experiences,
and conversations between people.
1. Read the English text.
2. Read the Japanese text.
3. Use Romaji if needed.
4. Review the vocabulary.
🌸 Story
With the whole family together, Papa speaks with a smile.
家族みんながそろったところで、パパが笑顔で声をかける。
Kazoku minna ga sorotta tokoro de, Papa ga egao de koe o kakeru.
Happy birthday
to both of you. 😊
ふたりとも、
お誕生日おめでとう😊
Futari tomo,
otanjōbi omedetō. 😊
What’s wrong?
どうした？
Dō shita?
their birthdays were combined again. 🤣
不服なのよ🤣
fufuku na no yo. 🤣
But your birthdays
are only one day apart…
だって、
一日違いなんだから……
Datte,
ichinichi-chigai nan dakara…
Sumire follows her.
続いて、すみれも席を立った。
Tsuzuite, Sumire mo seki o tatta.
Where are you two going?
ふたりとも、
どこ行くの？
Futari tomo,
doko iku no?
they return, each carrying a small wrapped gift.
ふたりがそれぞれ小さな包みを持って戻ってくる。
futari ga sorezore chīsana tsutsumi o motte modotte kuru.
Here—
a birthday present for you. 🎁
はい、
お誕生日プレゼント🎁
Hai,
otanjōbi purezento. 🎁
Thank you. 🌸
Then…
I have one for you too, Sakura.
Here’s your present. 😊🎁
ありがとう🌸
じゃあ……
さくらにも。
はい、お返し😊🎁
Arigatō. 🌸
Jā…
Sakura ni mo.
Hai, okaeshi. 😊🎁
Thank you. 🌷
ありがとう🌷
Arigatō. 🌷
Now I understand.
You two make sure
to celebrate each birthday separately. 😊
そういうことか。
ふたりは、
ちゃんと別々にお祝いしてるんだな😊
Sō iu koto ka.
Futari wa,
chanto betsubetsu ni oiwai shiterun da na. 😊
our birthdays are separate. 😊
誕生日は別々だもん😊
tanjōbi wa betsubetsu da mon. 😊
here’s one from Papa too. 🎁
パパからも🎁
Papa kara mo. 🎁
These are from Mama. 🎁
ママからも🎁
Mama kara mo. 🎁
a birthday cake is brought out for everyone.
みんなの前へ誕生日ケーキが運ばれてきた。
minna no mae e tanjōbi kēki ga hakobarete kita.
So now,
we’ve had sweets two days in a row. 😊
これで、
二日続けて甘いものだね😊
Kore de,
futsuka tsuzukete amai mono da ne. 😊
while eating the cake.
楽しい時間を過ごした。
tanoshii jikan o sugoshita.
I’m still not completely happy about it,
but it was a fun birthday. 😊
不服だけど、
楽しい誕生日だったね😊
Fufuku dakedo,
tanoshii tanjōbi datta ne. 😊
Even though we still have one complaint… 😊
不服だけど……😊
Fufuku dakedo… 😊
every single year, don’t you? 🤣
毎年根に持ってるでしょ？🤣
maitoshi ne ni motteru desho? 🤣
as the twins pretend not to know what they mean.
パパとママも笑っていた。
Papa to Mama mo waratte ita.
💭 Story Note
In Japan, family members often celebrate birthdays together with a cake and presents.
When two birthdays are close together, families may combine the celebrations. This can be practical and joyful, but each person may still want their own special day to be recognized.
In this story, Sakura and Sumire are twins, but their birthdays fall on different dates. By preparing presents for each other, they show that both August 31 and September 1 matter to them.
📚 Vocabulary
Here are five useful words and expressions from this birthday story.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| birthday | 誕生日 | tanjōbi |
| present; gift | プレゼント | purezento |
| family | 家族 | kazoku |
| together | 一緒に | issho ni |
| to celebrate | お祝いする | oiwai suru |
The Japanese word プレゼント (purezento) means “present” or “gift.” It comes from the English word “present” and is commonly used for birthdays and other special occasions.
For example:
「誕生日プレゼント」
(tanjōbi purezento)
“birthday present”
「これは、すみれへのプレゼントです。」
(Kore wa, Sumire e no purezento desu.)
“This is a present for Sumire.”
The word ギフト (gifuto) is also used in Japanese, especially in shops and advertising, but プレゼント is very natural in everyday conversation.
🔰 Mix Words and Feel Their Meaning｜ことばを混ぜて、感覚をつかもう
Try mixing the Japanese word プレゼント (purezento) into your English sentences.
“I prepared a プレゼント for Sumire.”
“This プレゼント is from Papa.”
“The twins exchanged プレゼント.”
Think of someone important to you. What kind of プレゼント would you choose for them?
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