In this episode of “Nihongo no Tane,” join Yumi as she shares her visit to her elegant piano teacher’s home. Discover how her refined lifestyle, surrounded by antiques, reflects her sophistication, from music to furniture. Yumi reflects on the importance of keeping antiques in good condition, contrasting her teacher's approach with other personal experiences. This episode will transport you to a world of elegance and nostalgia!   KEY VOCABULARY: 塊(かたまり) — embodiment; personification (used metaphorically to describe someone who is the "essence" of something) 弾(ひ)くだけではなくて — not only playing (弾(ひ)く: to play (a string instrument), だけ: only, ではなくて: not only) 演奏(えんそう)されるそうです — it seems it will be performed (演奏(えんそう): performance, される: passive form (to be performed), そうです: it seems) 現代(げんだい) — modern times; contemporary さらさらと — smoothly; fluently 品々(しなじな) — various items; goods (plural of 品(しな), meaning "item") もうとうに — long ago; long before (indicating something that happened or was done long ago, often emphasizing it's well in the past) 張(は)り直(なお)した — re-stretched; re-tightened (張(は)り: to stretch; to tighten, 直(なお)した: fixed; redone) 色合(いろあ)い — color tone; hue 刺繍(ししゅう)もほどけたところ — parts where the embroidery has unraveled (刺繍(ししゅう): embroidery, も: also, ほどけた: unraveled, ところ: part; place) 品質(ひんしつ) — quality 保(たも)たれている — is maintained; is preserved (保(たも)たれる: to be maintained, ている: ongoing state) イマイチ — not so good; lacking ボロボロで — worn-out; tattered 狂(くる)ってしまってるんです — it has gone out of tune; it’s broken (狂(くる)う: to go crazy or to be out of tune, てしまってる: regrettably; completely) (Note: In this context, since we are talking about an instrument, "狂(くる)う" refers to the sound being out of tune or off-pitch.) しかも — moreover; besides 見(み)かけます — to see; to come across (polite form of 見(み)かける) ピカピカ — shiny; sparkling 新品(しんぴん) — brand new 雑(ざつ)に扱(あつか)われてるなっていう雰囲気(ふんいき)の車(くるま) — a car that feels like it's being treated carelessly (雑(ざつ)に: carelessly, 扱(あつか)われてる: being treated, なっていう: like; that feels, 雰囲気(ふんいき): atmosphere, 車(くるま): car) ただただ置(お)きっぱなしにしてある — just left as it is (ただただ: just, 置(お)きっぱなし: left as is, にしてある: to have been left) 保存(ほぞん)する — to preserve; to store (保存(ほぞん): preservation, する: verb marker meaning "to do")   For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-161 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-161-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com