作品Free Graded Reading
オペラの帰途Return from the Opera
Opera no Kito
by 岡本 かの子 · Okamoto Kanoko
JLPT N2Short StoryQuiz ready
A French gentleman offers a ride to a Japanese mother and son after the opera.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnAfter 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.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 55/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| オペラ帽 (オペラぼう) | opera hat (a type of formal hat) |
|---|---|
| 物好き (ものずき) | curiosity; being interested in something unusual |
| おしろい | face powder (makeup) |
| 操縦する (そうじゅうする) | to steer; to pilot |
Grammar points you'll meet
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
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.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy does the French gentleman offer the mother and son a ride?
- He is a kind person who always helps strangers.
- He is bored with Westernized Japanese women and finds the mother refreshingly natural.
- He wants to show off his car.
- He is a kidnapper.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipUse context to infer the meaning of words like オペラ帽 and ショッファー (chauffeur).
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseオペラがはねて、一人の東洋婦人がタキシーを探していた。一人のオペラ帽を光らした中年の紳士が婦人を誘って戸の開いている立派な自家用自動車の傍へ連れて行った。婦人「あら、これはタキシーではありませんわ」フランス紳士「そうです、これは私のです」うしろから髪をのばしたばかりの小柄の東洋の青年が、せかせか歩いて来た。青年「ママン！ 誘惑されちゃいけない‼」紳士「あなたは？」青年「これ、僕のママです。ママこっちへ来るんですよ」紳士は二人を制して微笑した。紳士「よろしい、私お二人とも乗せます」青年（笑いながら）「悪漢みたいだな、知らん人を自動車へ乗せるなんて、あんたは」紳士「冗談じゃない、そりゃ、アメリカのことですよ。フランス人の物好きさ」青年、婦人と行きかける。紳士「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」青年「僕達直ぐ家へかえるんだ」
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