作品Free Graded Reading
おりこうハンスClever Hans
Orikou Hansu
by グリム ヤーコプ・ルートヴィッヒ・カール · Gurimu Yākobu Rūtovihhi Kāru
JLPT N3Short StoryQuiz ready
A hilariously dimwitted boy repeatedly botches simple errands in this Grimm fairy tale.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnHans repeatedly visits Gretel, who gives him various gifts (needle, knife, goat, bacon, calf, and finally herself). Each time, Hans mishandles the gift based on his mother's literal advice, leading to loss or disaster. In the end, Gretel escapes after Hans ties her to the manger.
Language difficultyBeginner · 15/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 針 (はり) | needle |
|---|---|
| ナイフ | knife |
| 子ヤギ (こやぎ) | kid goat |
| ベーコン | bacon |
| 子牛 (こうし) | calf |
| そで | sleeve |
| ふくろ | bag |
| つな | rope |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てくる N4Indicates an action that is done and continues toward the speaker, or an action that has continued up to the present.なにかいいものもってきてくれて。
- ～てやる N4Expresses the speaker's intention to do something for someone (usually someone of lower status or close).うまくやるんだよ、ハンス。
- ～てくれる N4Indicates that someone does an action for the speaker or someone close to the speaker.グレーテルがおまえになにをくれたの。
- ～んだ (のだ) N4Adds explanatory or emphatic nuance to a statement or question.うまくやるんだよ。
- ～さ (dialect sentence-ending particle) unknownA dialectal particle used in casual speech to add emphasis or indicate direction. Equivalent to standard ～よ or ～ぞ.グレーテルんとこさ。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- あばよA very casual and somewhat old-fashioned way to say 'goodbye' in Japanese. Used between close friends or family members, similar to 'see ya' or 'so long'.
- おっかあA dialectal or childish way to say 'mother' (お母さん). It gives the mother a warm, familiar feel.
- Repetitive Folk Tale StructureThis story uses a classic repetitive structure common in oral folk tales, where the same pattern is repeated with slight variations. This helps with memorization and emphasizes the protagonist's foolishness.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhere did Hans put the needle after receiving it from Gretel?
- In his sleeve
- In a bag
- On his head
- In the hay wagon
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipNotice the repeated dialogue patterns to predict what will happen next. Each visit follows the same script with a new item.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japaneseハンスのおかあさんが、「ハンスや、どこへいく。」と、たずねます。すると、ハンスがこたえます。「グレーテルんとこさ。」「うまくやるんだよ、ハンス。」「ああ、うまくやるとも。あばよ、おっかあ。」「あばよ、ハンス。」ハンスはグレーテルのところへきます。「こんちわあ、グレーテルさん。」「こんちは、ハンスさん。なにかいいものもってきてくれて。」「なんにももってきやしないよ。なんかくれるものない。」グレーテルはハンスに針を一本やります。ハンスは、「さよならっ、グレーテルさん。」と、いいます。「さよなら、ハンスさん。」ハンスはその針をとって、ほし草の車へつきさして、じぶんはその車のあとからかえっていきます。「ただいまあ、おっかあ。」「おかえり、ハンス。どこへいってたの。」「グレーテルんとこへいってた。」「おまえ、なにをもってってやったの。」「なんにももってきゃしない。むこうでくれたよ。」
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