おせっかい夫人The Meddlesome Wife

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

On a sunny spring day, Hanako helps a man who claims to be a neighbor's relative retrieve a bag from the neighbor's house. After letting him in through a window, he leaves with a heavy bundle without thanking her. The man is later revealed to be a burglar.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てやる N4Do something for someone (often with a sense of giving, but can also imply a favor)
  中位なのを一つ借りて来て男に手伝わせ国枝さんの湯殿の上部の硝子窓に届かせ、少し腰弱そうな男のために梯子の下部まで押えてやり
• ～させる (Causative) N4Make/let someone do something; here used to indicate causing the man to reach the window
  中位なのを一つ借りて来て男に手伝わせ国枝さんの湯殿の上部の硝子窓に届かせ
• ～てしまう N4Express completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality
  国枝さんのお姑さんのお家の方ででもおありでしょうにね

Cultural notes

• Boke (Japanese quince)The boke (Japanese quince) is a flowering shrub that blooms in early spring. It is often grown in Japanese gardens and its bright red-orange flowers are a symbol of spring. In the story, the boke branches are mentioned as a scenic detail, contrasting with the subsequent intrusion of the burglar.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storycomedycuriositydeceptionsuspensefulhumorous〜させるsaseru · make/let someone do (causative)〜てしまうte shimau · ended up (regret)〜てやるte yaru · do for (blunt benefactive)