これは数年前です…..
誰にも知られたくないし
初めまして
結婚しようと思ってるんだ
待って、お疲れ様
渋滞もあったし大変だったよね
え、じゃあこれは
This episode focuses on a narrative sequence mixing storytelling, personal confession, introductions, and reactions to news – common in vlogs, dramas, or personal storytelling videos. You’ll learn how to reference past events, express desire for privacy, make introductions, announce major life decisions, and react with surprise.
✅ Learn narrative time-reference expressions
✅ Master phrases for wanting privacy
✅ Practice announcing major decisions and reacting with surprise
Introduction
In this lesson, we explore a sequence of phrases that might appear in a personal story, vlog, or drama scene – moving from referencing past events, to wanting privacy, to a first meeting, to announcing marriage plans, to reacting with surprise and empathy. This varied vocabulary set demonstrates several important grammar patterns useful across many storytelling and conversational contexts.
これは数年前です…..
Meaning & Usage
This phrase sets a scene by referencing “several years ago,” commonly used to begin a story or flashback. The trailing dots suggest reflection or a pause before continuing the narrative.
これは – this is
数年前 (すうねんまえ) – several years ago
です – is (polite copula)
….. – trailing off (reflective pause)
Translation
- This was several years ago…
- This happened several years ago…
- It’s been several years since this…
Understanding 数年前 (Several Years Ago)
数 (すう) – several, a number of
年 (ねん) – year(s)
前 (まえ) – before, ago
Formation pattern for time references:
- 数 + counter + 前 = several [unit] ago
Similar time expressions:
- 数日前 (すうじつまえ) – several days ago
- 数ヶ月前 (すうかげつまえ) – several months ago
- 数年前 (すうねんまえ) – several years ago
- 数週間前 (すうしゅうかんまえ) – several weeks ago
Examples
これは数年前です…..あの頃は若かった。
→ This was several years ago… I was young back then.
数年前のことなんですが、覚えていますか?
→ This is about something from several years ago, do you remember?
もう数年前の話です。
→ It’s already a story from several years ago.
Related Storytelling Time References
昔々 (むかしむかし) – Once upon a time
ある日 (あるひ) – One day
その頃 (そのころ) – Around that time
あの時 (あのとき) – At that time
振り返ると (ふりかえると) – Looking back
誰にも知られたくないし
Meaning & Usage
This phrase expresses a desire for privacy or secrecy – not wanting anyone to know something. The し at the end suggests this is one reason among possibly others.
誰にも (だれにも) – to anyone, by anyone
知られたく (しられたく) – want to be known (negative desire base)
ない – not (negative)
し – and, also (listing reason particle)
Translation
- I don’t want anyone to know, and…
- I don’t want to be known by anyone, plus…
- Not wanting anyone to find out, and also…
Understanding 知られる (To Be Known)
知る (しる) – to know
知られる (しられる) – to be known (passive form)
Passive form usage:
- 知られている – is known
- 知られたくない – don’t want to be known
Understanding たくない (Don’t Want To)
Formation:
- Verb stem + たい = want to
- Verb stem + たくない = don’t want to
Examples:
- 知りたい → 知りたくない (want to know → don’t want to know)
- 知られたい → 知られたくない (want to be known → don’t want to be known)
Understanding 誰にも (To Anyone)
誰にも combines 誰 (who) + に (particle) + も (even/also) to mean “to anyone (at all)”:
Pattern:
- 誰も – no one (with negative verb)
- 誰にも – to/by no one (with negative verb)
Examples:
- 誰も知らない – No one knows
- 誰にも言わない – Won’t tell anyone
- 誰にも知られたくない – Don’t want anyone to know
Understanding the し Particle
し connects reasons, implying “and” or “also,” often suggesting there are additional unstated reasons:
Function:
- Lists a reason among possibly others
- Softer than because (から)
- Common in casual explanation
Examples:
- 忙しいし、疲れてるし – I’m busy, and also tired
- 誰にも知られたくないし、恥ずかしいし – Don’t want anyone to know, and it’s embarrassing too
Examples
このことは誰にも知られたくないし、秘密にしてほしい。
→ I don’t want anyone to know about this, and I want it kept secret.
誰にも知られたくないし、一人で解決したい。
→ I don’t want anyone to know, and I want to solve it myself.
Related Privacy/Secrecy Expressions
秘密にして (ひみつにして) – Please keep it secret
内緒にして (ないしょにして) – Please keep it confidential
言わないで – Please don’t tell
誰にも言わないでね – Please don’t tell anyone
初めまして
Meaning & Usage
This is the standard phrase for a first meeting, equivalent to “nice to meet you” or “how do you do.” It’s always used when meeting someone for the very first time.
初めまして (はじめまして) – nice to meet you (first time meeting)
Translation
- Nice to meet you
- How do you do
- Pleased to meet you
Understanding 初めまして
初めて (はじめて) – for the first time
まして – polite form ending (from ます)
Literal meaning: “This is the first time” → functions as greeting for first meetings
Standard Introduction Pattern
初めまして is typically followed by self-introduction:
Full introduction pattern:
- 初めまして – Nice to meet you
- [Name]です/と申します – I’m [name]
- よろしくお願いします – Please treat me favorably
Examples
初めまして、田中です。よろしくお願いします。
→ Nice to meet you, I’m Tanaka. Please treat me well.
初めまして!お会いできて嬉しいです。
→ Nice to meet you! I’m happy to meet you.
Related First-Meeting Expressions
お会いできて光栄です (こうえいです) – It’s an honor to meet you (formal)
よろしくお願いします – Please treat me favorably
お噂はかねがね (うわさはかねがね) – I’ve heard about you
こちらこそ – Likewise, the pleasure is mine
結婚しようと思ってるんだ
Meaning & Usage
This phrase announces an intention or thought about getting married, using casual speech appropriate for close friends or family. It shows the speaker is seriously considering or has decided on marriage.
結婚しよう (けっこんしよう) – let’s get married, going to marry (volitional)
と思ってる (とおもってる) – thinking that (casual, ongoing thought)
ん – explanatory contraction
だ – casual copula
Translation
- I’m thinking of getting married
- I’m planning to get married
- I think I’m going to get married
Understanding the Volitional Form
結婚する (to marry) → 結婚しよう (volitional – let’s marry/going to marry)
Volitional form usage:
- Used to express intention or invitation
- 結婚しよう – Let’s get married / I will marry
Understanding と思っている (Thinking That)
と思う – to think that
と思っている – have been thinking that (ongoing state)
と思ってる – casual contraction
Formation:
- Statement + と + 思っている/思ってる
- 結婚しよう + と + 思ってる = thinking about getting married
Understanding んだ (Explanatory Casual)
んだ adds explanatory nuance in casual speech:
Without んだ:
- 結婚しようと思ってる – Thinking about marriage (simple statement)
With んだ:
- 結婚しようと思ってるんだ – I’m thinking about marriage, you see (explanatory, sharing important info)
Examples
実は、結婚しようと思ってるんだ。
→ Actually, I’m thinking of getting married.
来年、結婚しようと思ってるんだけど。
→ I’m thinking of getting married next year, but…
彼女と結婚しようと思ってるんだ。
→ I’m thinking of marrying her.
Related Life-Decision Announcements
引っ越そうと思ってる – Thinking of moving
仕事を辞めようと思ってる – Thinking of quitting my job
留学しようと思ってる – Thinking of studying abroad
プロポーズしようと思ってる – Thinking of proposing
待って、お疲れ様
Meaning & Usage
This combines a request to wait with an expression acknowledging someone’s effort or tiredness. It’s often used when someone has just arrived or finished something, showing both pause and appreciation.
待って (まって) – wait (casual command, te-form)
お疲れ様 (おつかれさま) – thank you for your hard work / good job
Translation
- Wait, good job / you must be tired
- Hold on, thanks for your effort
- Wait a second, well done
Understanding 待って (Wait)
待つ (まつ) – to wait
待って – casual command form (te-form used as request)
Formality levels:
- 待って – Wait (casual)
- 待ってください – Please wait (polite)
- お待ちください – Please wait (very polite)
Understanding お疲れ様 (Thank You for Your Effort)
お疲れ様 (おつかれさま) is a versatile phrase acknowledging someone’s effort, tiredness, or hard work:
Common uses:
- Greeting when arriving/leaving work
- Acknowledging effort after any task
- Showing empathy for tiredness
Formality variations:
- お疲れ – Very casual
- お疲れ様 – Standard (our phrase)
- お疲れ様です – Polite (present)
- お疲れ様でした – Polite (past/completed)
Why These Combine Here
待って pauses the conversation/action
お疲れ様 immediately follows with acknowledgment of effort
This combination often happens when:
- Someone arrives after a journey
- Interrupting to first acknowledge their effort
- Natural conversational flow showing care
Examples
待って、お疲れ様。座って休んで。
→ Wait, good job. Sit down and rest.
あ、待って!お疲れ様、大変だったでしょう。
→ Oh wait! Thanks for your effort, that must have been tough.
Related Effort-Acknowledgment Phrases
お疲れ様でした – Thank you for your hard work (completed)
よく頑張ったね – You worked hard, didn’t you
大変だったね – That was tough, wasn’t it
ゆっくり休んで – Rest well/slowly
渋滞もあったし大変だったよね
Meaning & Usage
This phrase empathetically acknowledges difficulty, specifically mentioning traffic congestion as one contributing factor, using し to suggest multiple reasons for the hardship.
渋滞も (じゅうたいも) – traffic jam too/also
あったし – there was, and (past + し particle)
大変だった (たいへんだった) – was tough/difficult
よね – right? (seeking agreement, softer than でしょ)
Translation
- There was traffic too, so it must have been tough, right?
- With the traffic jam and everything, that was hard, wasn’t it?
- Traffic and all, that must have been difficult
Understanding 渋滞 (Traffic Jam)
渋滞 (じゅうたい) – traffic congestion, traffic jam
Common expressions:
- 渋滞にはまる – To get stuck in traffic
- 渋滞が続く – Traffic continues
- 渋滞情報 – Traffic information
Understanding もあったし (There Was Also, And)
も – also, too
あった – there was (past of ある)
し – listing particle (and, also)
Function: Shows traffic was one of multiple factors contributing to difficulty
Pattern:
- [Problem]もあったし、[result] – There was also [problem], so [result]
Understanding よね (Seeking Soft Agreement)
よね combines よ (assertion) + ね (seeking agreement) for a warm, empathetic confirmation:
Different from でしょ:
- でしょ – more assertive, expecting agreement
- よね – softer, more empathetic, inviting connection
Examples
渋滞もあったし、遅くなったんだよね。
→ There was traffic too, so you were late, right?
雨も降ってたし、渋滞もあったし、大変だったよね。
→ It was raining and there was traffic too, that must have been tough, right?
Related Empathy/Understanding Expressions
大変だったね – That was tough, wasn’t it
お疲れ様でした – Thank you for your effort
よく来てくれたね – Thanks for coming despite everything
わかるよ、大変だったよね – I understand, that was hard, right
え、じゃあこれは
Meaning & Usage
This phrase expresses surprise while transitioning to ask about or reference something specific, often when connecting new information to something previously mentioned or shown.
え – eh, what (surprise interjection)
じゃあ – then, so, in that case
これは – this is / as for this
Translation
- Eh, then this is…
- What, so this…
- Oh, then what about this…
- Wait, so does this mean…
Understanding the Structure
え shows sudden realization or surprise
じゃあ transitions logically from previous statement
これは introduces or refers to a specific topic/item
Common Usage Pattern
This phrase often appears when someone connects dots or realizes the significance of something:
Context example:
- Person A reveals information
- Person B: え、じゃあこれは… (surprised realization, connecting to something else)
Examples
え、じゃあこれは結婚指輪なの?
→ Eh, then is this an engagement ring?
え、じゃあこれはプレゼント?
→ What, so this is a present?
え、じゃあこれはどういうこと?
→ Wait, so what does this mean?
Related Surprised Realization Expressions
まさか – No way, don’t tell me
もしかして – By any chance
ということは – Which means…
つまり – In other words
Common Mistakes
❌ Using formal です with casual んだ patterns
Inconsistent: 結婚しようと思ってますんだ
Correct casual: 結婚しようと思ってるんだ
Don’t mix polite ます with casual んだ
❌ Confusing 知る and 知られる
知る – to know (active)
知られる – to be known (passive)
Different grammatical function, different meaning implications
❌ Missing the empathy in よね
Too assertive: 大変だったでしょ (demanding agreement)
More empathetic: 大変だったよね (warm, understanding)
よね shows more genuine care/connection
❌ Using 初めまして for people already met
Wrong (already met before): 初めまして
Correct: お久しぶりです or こんにちは
初めまして is exclusively for first-time meetings
Practice Dialogue
Scenario: Friend arriving with news after a long drive
A: (到着する) ふう、着いた!
B: 待って、お疲れ様!渋滞もあったし大変だったよね。
A: うん、本当に。でも、伝えたいことがあって来たんだ。
B: 何?
A: 実は、結婚しようと思ってるんだ。
B: え!本当に?誰と?
A: 実は、これは数年前です…..ずっと付き合ってた人がいて。
B: え、じゃあこれは、そのことだったの?誰にも知られたくないし、って言ってたよね。
A: うん。でも、もう発表しようと思って。
A: (arriving) Phew, made it!
B: Wait, good job! There was traffic too, that must have been tough.
A: Yeah, really. But I came because I have something to tell you.
B: What is it?
A: Actually, I’m thinking of getting married.
B: Eh! Really? To who?
A: Actually, this was several years ago… there was someone I’d been dating this whole time.
B: Eh, so is this about that? You said you didn’t want anyone to know, right?
A: Yeah. But I’ve decided it’s time to announce it now.
Cultural Notes
Personal Storytelling in Japanese
This episode’s varied phrases reflect common patterns in Japanese personal narratives and emotional conversations:
Time-Marking in Stories: Phrases like これは数年前です establish temporal context, common in Japanese storytelling whether in casual conversation, vlogs, or dramatic reveals.
Privacy and Trust: 誰にも知られたくない reflects the value placed on controlling personal information and choosing carefully who to trust with sensitive matters, common in Japanese social dynamics around private life decisions.
Marriage Announcements: The casual but meaningful 結婚しようと思ってるんだ shows how significant life decisions are often shared first in intimate, casual settings with close friends before formal announcements.
Empathetic Acknowledgment: The combination of 待って、お疲れ様 and 渋滞もあったし大変だったよね demonstrates the Japanese cultural practice of acknowledging others’ efforts and difficulties before moving to substantive conversation – showing care before curiosity.
Connecting Narrative Threads: え、じゃあこれは shows how listeners actively engage with stories, making connections and expressing surprise as pieces of information come together – common in emotional reveals or important conversations.
Wrap-up
This episode explored a narrative sequence combining storytelling, privacy concerns, introductions, major announcements, and empathetic reactions. これは数年前です….. sets a scene in the past, 誰にも知られたくないし expresses desire for privacy, 初めまして provides first-meeting greeting, 結婚しようと思ってるんだ announces a significant decision, 待って、お疲れ様 acknowledges effort while pausing, 渋滞もあったし大変だったよね empathizes with difficulty, and え、じゃあこれは shows surprised realization connecting information.
These varied phrases demonstrate essential grammar patterns – from time references and passive forms to volitional expressions and empathetic particles – useful across storytelling, personal conversations, and emotional exchanges in Japanese.