B1-14 / CEFR B1 / EPISODE 14

Roommate Problems Pt.2

Apologizing for a specific inconvenience

SceneTina is in her room with Frank. Her roommate has just asked her to clear her books off their shared table.

Tina talking at home while Frank listens. — Select the illustration to view it at full size in a new tab.

Narrator

Tina is in her room with Frank. Her roommate has just asked her to clear her books off their shared table.

ティナは自分の部屋でフランクと話している。ついさっき、ルームメイトに共有テーブルの本を片づけてほしいと言われたところだ。

Tina01

I've been taking out the trash for months — and she just called me messy!

何か月もゴミ出しをしてきたのに、彼女ったら私のことをだらしないって言ったのよ！

Frank02

What happened?

何があったの？

Tina03

My books were on the table. She wanted to eat.

私の本がテーブルに置いてあったの。彼女は食事をしたかったんだって。

Frank04

Was there room for her plate?

お皿を置く場所はあった？

Tina05

Well... no. But I take out all the trash!

ええと……なかった。でも、ゴミ出しは全部私よ！

Frank06

Sure. But that doesn't clear the table.

そうだね。でも、それでテーブルが片づくわけじゃないよ。

Tina07

Okay. I'd left everything there after studying.

そうね。勉強したあと、全部そのままにしてたわ。

Frank08

Could you put your books away before dinner?

夕食の前に本を片づけられそう？

Tina09

Yeah. I should ask when she needs the table.

うん。何時にテーブルを使いたいか、聞いてみるわ。

Frank10

And apologize for leaving your books there.

それと、本を出しっぱなしにしたことも謝るといいね。

Tina11

"Sorry about the books. When do you need the table? I'll clear it before then." How's that?

「本、出しっぱなしでごめん。何時にテーブルを使いたい？それまでに片づけるね」。これでどう？

Frank12

Sounds good. She needs room for dinner, too.

いいと思う。彼女にも夕食を食べる場所が必要だしね。

Tina13

Right. I'd better move my books before they get covered in soup.

そうね。本がスープまみれになる前に片づけるわ。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“But that doesn't clear the table.”

Here clear means to remove things and make space. Clear the table often means removing dishes after a meal, but here it means removing books before eating. Frank points out that taking out the rubbish does not free the table.

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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Words & context

“But that doesn't clear the table.”