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All Japanese activities

Activities: When to use 〜てある (te aru), 〜ておく (te oku) and 〜てしまう (te shimau) in Japanese?

Activity 1: Choose the best option

Read the English translation carefully and complete each sentence by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given choices.

  1. 明後日は試験だから、今日から      、きっといい点数が取れるだろう 。
    Asatte wa shiken dakara, kyō kara ___ kitto ii tensū ga toreru darō.
    The exam is the day after tomorrow so if I start studying today, I can surely get a good grade.
    Select your answer
  2. 家に帰ったら、ちょうど夫が晩ご飯を      ところだった 。
    Uchi ni kaettara, chōdo otto ga bangohan o ___ tokoro datta.
    When I got home, my husband was just making dinner.
    Select your answer

  3. A: そのかばん、新しいね！買ったの？
    Sono kaban, atarashii ne! Katta no?
    That bag is new! Did you buy it?

    B: うん、高かったけど、可愛いから      !!
    Un, takakatta kedo, kawaii kara ___!!
    Yeah, it was expensive, but it was cute, so I ended up buying it!!
    Select your answer
  4. たくさん勉強したので、試験の前にすでに必要な単語を全部      。
    Takusan benkyō shita node, shiken no mae ni sude ni hitsuyō na tango o zenbu ___.
    I studied so much that I had already memorized all the words I needed before the exam.
    Select your answer
  5. 佐藤さんは明日のプレゼンテーションの準備をもう      そうだ。
    Satō-san wa ashita no purezentēshon no junbi o mō ___ sō da.
    I heard that Ms. Sato has already prepared for tomorrow's presentation.
    Select your answer
  6. すぐ入浴できるようにお風呂を      ので、どうぞ入ってください。
    Sugu nyūyoku dekiru yō ni ofuro o ___ node, dōzo haitte kudasai.
    I have set up a bath already so you can take a bath right away, so please get in.
    Select your answer
  7. A: ごめん、もう出かけなきゃいけないから、そこのお皿、      ？
    Gomen, mō dekakenakya ikenai kara, soko no osara ___?
    I’m sorry, I have to go now. So, do you mind washing those dishes?
    Select your answer
    B: いいよ。洗って、      ね。
    Ii yo. Aratte, ___ ne.
    No problem. I’ll wash (them) up and tidy up (everything), okay?
    Select your answer

Activity 2: Complete the dialogues

Complete the dialogues by choosing one of the following expressions: 〜ておく, 〜てある, and 〜てしまう. Read the English translation very carefully! You can only use each expression once per situation. Key verbs are given. Remember that you need to make the verb into -te/de form!

  1. Situation: You and your roommates are planning a surprise birthday party for the other roommate on upcoming Saturday. Let’s check how the preparation for the party is going.

    • A: 土曜日のパーティーの準備、どうかな？
      Doyōbi no pātii no junbi, dō kana?
      How are we doing with the preparation for Saturday’s party?

    • B: うん、そうだね ・・・、誕生日ケーキはもうよ。
      Un, sō da ne…, tanjōbi kēki wa mō ___ yo.
      Well, let’s see… the birthday cake has been ordered.

    • A: 飲み物は、まだだよね？じゃあ、パーティーまでに私がよ。
      Nomimono wa, mada da yo ne? Jā pātii made ni watashi ga ___ yo.
      We haven’t gotten beverages yet, right? Then, I will buy those in advance by the (time of the) party.

    • B: そう？じゃ、よろしく。プレゼントは？
      Sō? Ja, yoroshiku. Purezento wa?
      Really? Then, I’ll leave it up to you. What about the present?

    • A: うん、大丈夫！ちょっとけど、いいのがあって、もう用意したよ！
      Un, daijōbu! Chotto ___ kedo, ii no ga atte, mō yōi shita yo!
      No, worries! It ended up being a bit expensive, but I found a nice one and I’ve already prepared it!

  2. Situation: You are working at a company and your team has an important meeting coming up in a few hours. Let’s check how things are going for the meeting.

    • A:
      次の会議の資料はもうか。
      Tsugi no kaigi no shiryō wa mō ___ ka.
      Have the documents for the next meeting already been printed out?

    • B:
      はい、。
      Hai, ___.
      Yes, I've printed them out in advance.

    • A:
      よかった！ すっかりいて、焦りました。
      Yokatta! Sukkari ___ ite, aserimashita.
      That's good! I had forgotten about it completely and I was getting anxious about it.