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      TOMODACHI 1:

      Kare, hontō ni tenisu oshiete kurerun' deshō ne?

      TOMODACHI 2:

      Daijobu da to omou kedo, ichio dame-oshi shite okimasu yo.

      FRIEND 1:

      Do you think he'll really teach us tennis?

      FRIEND 2:

      I think it'll be all right, but I'll double-check with him just to be sure.

      Dame-oshi suru has two meanings: the first is to double-check something, and the second is to add up the points (in a game, for example) even when it is fairly clear who is winning and who is losing. This meaning derives originally from the game of go, where the word dame refers to a neutral square that is not controlled by either player. Moves that lead to the forming of such squares need to be very carefully calculated before they are played.

      EXAMPLES

      1. Ashita no kaigi no ken, buchō ni dame-oshi shite okimashō.

       Let's double-check with the boss about tomorrow's meeting.

      2. Watashi no an ga saiyō sareru ka, dame-oshi shite kudasai.

       Could you make doubly sure that he's going to accept my proposals?

      3. Kare ni sonna ni dame-oshi suru hitsuyō wa arimasen.

       There's no need to check more than once with him.

      4. Kare wa dame-oshi sareru to iya ni nam tachi desu.

       He tends to get irritated when you keep checking everything with him.

      5. Kore dake katte ireba, dame-oshi suru hitsuyō wa nai.

       With the way we're winning, there's no need to play it safe.

      dan-chigai

      vast difference in levels

      TOMODACHI 1:

      Saikin, Eikaiwa, narai-hajimetan' desuyo.

      TOMODACHI 2:

      Sore de, Eigo ga dan-chigai ni umaku nattan' desu ne.

      FRIEND 1:

      I've recently started to study English conversation.

      FRIEND 2:

      So that's why your English has gotten so much better.

      Dan-chigai, refers to two things that cannot be compared because of extreme differences (chigai) in level (dan). This phrase comes from go, where players are ranked according to their ability. For example, someone with skill level eight would be no match for a person with skill level two; the lower the level, the greater the skill.

      EXAMPLES

      1. Anata no ie, uchi to wa dan-chigai ni hirokute urayamashii desu.

       Your place is so much bigger than mine, it makes me jealous.

      2. Sasuga, ichi-ryū no resutoran wa dan-chigai no umasa desu ne.

       Indeed, the food at this first-rate restaurant outclasses others.

      3. Nichiyōbi no kanchōgai wa, heijitsu to wa dan-chigai ni shizuka da.

       On Sundays the government district is much quieter than on weekdays.

      4. Anata no shūnyū to watashi no de wa, dan-chigai desu.

       There is a big difference in our income levels.

      5. Futari no jitsu-ryoku wa dan-chigai de, shiai ni naranai.

       Our levels are completely different so we wouldn't be a good match.

      dandori ga yoi

      efficient arrangements

      BUKA:

      Kaigi-yō no shiryō ojunbi shite okimashita.

      BUCHŌ:

      Kimi wa shigoto no dandori ga yoi node, tasukaru yo.

      SUBORDINATE:

      I've prepared the data for the conference.

      DEPARTMENT CHIEF:

      It's a great help that you're so well-organized.

      Dandori ga yoi means that something is undertaken with much care and efficiency. This expression is originally a term from the construction industry. When building stairs, how the dan (steps) will be taken (toru, which becomes dori) or determined is a calculated procedure. This dandori (determination of the height of the step) was an important criterion for the safety standard of a building. From this practice, the expression has derived its present meaning. Dandori often appears on its own.

      EXAMPLES

      1. Kyō no kaigi wa totemo dandori ga umaku itta.

       The arrangements for today's conference went very smoothly.

      2. Shikai no dandori ga warukute, kaigi ga nagabiita.

       The meeting dragged on because the chairperson hadn't prepared for it.

      3. Kekkon-shiki no dandori, kyō sōdan shimashō.

       Let's discuss the plans today for the wedding.

      4. Niji kara kaikaishiki o okonau dandori ni natte imasu.

       The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at two o'clock.

      5. Hachigatsu wa kaigai-shutchō ni iku dandori ni natte imasu.

       I have arranged to take an overseas business trip in August.

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