作品Free Graded Reading
林檎のうたApple Song
Ringo no Uta
by 片山 広子 · Katayama Hiroko
JLPT N3Short StoryClassical / archaic
A poetic ode to the beauty and taste of apples.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA series of tanka poems depict apples in a shop, their vivid color and scent, the joy of buying them, and reflections on memories and prayers evoked by the fruit.
Language difficultyExpert · 85/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 林檎 (りんご) | apple |
|---|---|
| をさなき (おさなき) | young, immature |
| くれなゐ (くれない) | crimson, deep red |
| いきいき | lively, vivid |
| デリツシヤス (デリシャス) | delicious (apple variety) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ぬ (Classical negative) N1Classical Japanese auxiliary verb meaning negation, equivalent to modern ～ない.吾を包みぬ
- ～たる (Classical attributive of ～たり) N1Old Japanese form expressing state or completion, equivalent to modern ～ている or ～た.みのりたる木の実
- ～し (Classical past attributive of き) N1Classical past tense attributive form, equivalent to modern ～た.来し如し
- ～たる (Classical attributive of ～たり) N1Same as above, used attributively.熟れみのりたる果物
- ～はれぬ (Classical potential negative) N1Classical construction: verb 未然形 + る/らる (potential) + ぬ (negation), meaning 'cannot be said'.言はれぬ祈り
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Tanka Poetry FormTanka is a 31-syllable poem with a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern, traditionally used to express emotions and nature appreciation.
- Apple Varieties in JapanDelicious (デリシャス) refers to a variety of apple, likely 'Red Delicious' or 'Golden Delicious', popular in Japan.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat fruit is the central theme of these poems?
- Persimmons
- Apples
- Grapes
- Oranges
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to classical verb endings like ぬ, たる, し, and れぬ which indicate negation, state, past tense, and potential.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese麦の芽のまだおさない畑に向く八百屋の店はいっぱいの林檎深山路のもみじ葉よりも色ふかく店の林檎らくれないめざましい立って見つつ愉しむ心反射して一つ一つの林檎のほほえみみちのくの遠くの畑にみのった木の実のにおい吾を包んだ手にとればうす黄のりんご香りたつ熟れみのった果物の息すばらしい好運われに来たようだ大きデリシャスを二つ買った宵浅くあかり明るい卓の上に皿のりんごはいきいきとあるわがいのる人に言われない祈りなどしみじみ交じる林檎のにおい人多く住んでいた家を思い出す林檎を盛った幾つもの皿饗宴の終わったあとの静かさに時計を聴いた電気さやかに
Read the full text with furigana + instant lookups in Yomimaru →
Topics
More N3 reads
