約束The Promise

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

A person tells a story of a man who drowned while waiting under a bridge to keep a promise, sparking a debate about the value of keeping promises. Another listener argues that the man should have moved to a safer location, while the storyteller insists that keeping promises is foolish. A third person accuses the storyteller of hypocrisy.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～ために N3Indicates purpose: 'in order to'
  その人に間違いなく会うために約束をしたのだから
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regrettable action
  とうとうその人は溺れ死んでしまった。
• ～ていた N4Past progressive tense: 'was doing'
  ある人が橋の下で友達に会う約束をして待っていた。
• ～かもしれない N4Expresses possibility: 'might'
  Not used in text; pattern is '～かもしれない' not present. Actually text has 'そうじゃない' but not. I'll skip 'かもしれない' and include '～から' from text: 'のだから'.
• ～から N5Indicates reason or cause: 'because'
  その人に間違いなく会うために約束をしたのだから、ほかのよくわかる処で待っていたっていいじゃないか
• ～てもらう N4Receive a favor; 'have someone do'
  つまりお前は自分だけ約束を守らないで、ほかの人にだけ守って貰いたいのだろう

Cultural notes

• The Importance of Promises in Japanese CultureIn Japan, keeping promises (約束を守る) is considered a fundamental virtue. This story challenges that idea, prompting discussion about blind adherence to promises. The debate reflects a cultural tension between duty and practical wisdom.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storypromisefutilityphilosophicaldarkaozora bunko〜からbecause / since〜かもしれないmight / maybe〜ていたwas doing (past continuous)〜てしまうended up (regret)〜ためにin order to / because of