作品Free Graded Reading
金がきたらWhen the Money Comes
Kane ga Kitara
by 竹内 浩三 · Takeuchi Kouzou
JLPT N4Short Story
What would you buy if money came? This playful poem has a cheeky answer.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe speaker lists items they want to buy when they get money, but then acknowledges they must pay debts, leading to a cycle of borrowing and spending.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 45/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| ゲタ | geta (traditional wooden clogs) |
|---|---|
| 花ビン (はなビン) | vase |
| ヤカン | kettle |
| パス | pass (e.g., bus pass) |
| 借金 (しゃっきん) | debt |
| 天下のまわりもん (てんかのまわりもん) | proverb: money goes around the world |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～おう (volitional) N4Volitional form expressing intention to do something.金がきたら ゲタを買おう
- ～てはいられない N3Cannot afford to do; cannot keep doing.そう人のゲタばかり かりてはいられまい
- ～わけにはいかない N3Cannot bring oneself to; cannot (due to social obligation).すこし高いが 買わぬわけにもいくまい
- ～か (question particle in casual speech) N5Question particle used to form yes/no questions.いつ踏んで わってしまうかわらかない
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Geta (Traditional Footwear)Geta are traditional Japanese wooden clogs worn with casual attire, often associated with older styles or festivals. Mentioning them here adds a nostalgic or traditional flavor.
- Money Goes Around (金は天下のまわりもん)A Japanese proverb meaning that money circulates and is not meant to be hoarded. It reflects a carefree attitude toward spending and earning.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat is the speaker's main plan when money comes?
- To save money
- To buy various items
- To pay off debts first
- To lend money to others
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipFocus on the repeated structure '金がきたら [item]を買おう' to understand the pattern of desires.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese金がきたらゲタを買おうそう人のゲタばかり かりてはいられまい金がきたら花ビンを買おう部屋のソウジもして 気持よくしよう金がきたらヤカンを買おういくらお茶があっても 水茶はこまる金がきたらパスを買おうすこし高いが 買わぬわけにもいくまい金がきたらレコード入れを買おういつ踏んで わってしまうかわらかない金がきたら金がきたらボクは借金をはらわねばならないすると 又 なにもかもなくなるそしたら又借金をしようそして 本や 映画や うどんや スシや バットに使おう金は天下のまわりもんじゃ本がふえたから もう一つ本箱を買おうか
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