オペラの帰途Return from the Opera

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

After the opera in Paris, a Japanese mother is looking for a taxi when a French gentleman offers her a ride. Her son arrives and is suspicious, but the gentleman explains his kindness. They accept the ride, and after arriving home, the son reflects on adapting to Parisian life.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～ちゃいけない N4Contraction of ～てはいけない, meaning 'must not'
  誘惑されちゃいけない‼
• ～たまえ N2Polite imperative suffix, often used by superiors
  乗って行き給え、オペラの帰りにぼろタキシーなんかに乗るもんじゃないよ
• ～もんじゃない N3Emphatic negative: 'should not' (spoken form of ものではない)
  乗るもんじゃないよ
• ～てあげる N4To do something for someone (giving)
  僕の車に乗せて上げたかった。
• ～っこない N1Emphatic negative: 'there is no way that'
  巴里の味が分りっこない

Cultural notes

• French Chivalry vs. Japanese CautionThe French gentleman's offer of a ride is motivated by boredom and a desire to help, but the Japanese son initially suspects ill intent. This highlights cultural differences in perception of strangers' generosity.
• Madama Butterfly ReferenceThe gentleman mentions 'Madama Butterfly' (マダム・バッタフライ) to refer to Westernized Japanese women who wear heavy makeup, reflecting a common stereotype in early 20th-century Europe.
• Parisian Night LifeThe story is set after the opera, showing Parisian high society. The son's final comment about adapting to Paris hints at the social norms one must learn when living there.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storycomedyfamilial bondscultural differenceshumorouslightheartedaozora bunko〜てあげるdo for someone (favour)