Mini-Dialogue: N3 Integrated Dialogue
A review of N3-level conversational patterns through a natural office interaction.
Setting the Scene
You are at your office in Tokyo. A colleague, Sato-san, approaches your desk to discuss a project deadline that has been unexpectedly moved up. This dialogue uses common N3 structures to express obligation, hearsay, and tentative suggestions.
たなかさん、ちょっといいですか。
田中さん、ちょっといいですか。
Tanaka-san, do you have a moment?
はい、なんでしょうか。
はい、何でしょうか。
Yes, what is it?
じつは、しめきりがはやまったそうなんです。
実は、締め切りが早まったそうなんです。
Actually, I heard the deadline has been moved up.
えっ、ほんとうですか？
えっ、本当ですか？
What, really?
ええ。きょうじゅうにおわらせなければなりません。
ええ。今日中に終わらせなければなりません。
Yes. We must finish it by the end of the day.
わかりました。いそいでとりかかります。
分かりました。急いで取りかかります。
Understood. I will start on it immediately.
Core Grammar Points
This dialogue features three key N3 structures: hearsay (~そう), necessity (~なければなりません), and the adverbial use of ~中に.
Tip
Usage Examples
Observe how these structures function in natural sentences.
雨が降るそうです。
I heard that it will rain.
薬を飲まなければなりません。
I must take the medicine.
Which sentence correctly uses the hearsay 'hearsay' structure?
- 美味しいだそうです
- 美味しいそう
- ✓ 美味しいそうです
For i-adjectives, we keep the final 'i' before adding そうです (e.g., 美味しいそうです).
Register and Nuance
Understanding when to use these forms helps you sound more natural in professional settings.
Obligation Forms
〜なければなりません
Formal/Written (Must do)
行かなければなりません
〜なきゃいけない
Casual/Spoken (Have to do)
行かなきゃいけない
Which form is most appropriate for a business email?
- 〜なきゃ
- ✓ 〜なければなりません
- 〜ないと
〜なければなりません is the standard formal form for business communication.
Nuance of Hearsay
A closer look at hearsay markers.
Hearsay vs. Appearance
Lesson Summary
We reviewed how to report information using hearsay and how to express necessity in a professional context. Mastering these N3 patterns allows you to communicate requirements and updates clearly in a Japanese workplace.