A commercial for Ghibli Park, a theme park located in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture, that brings the world of Studio Ghibli to life.
Narrator (ナレーション)
ジブリのものがたりは、この場所で生きている。
なれーしょん：じぶり の ものがたり は、 この ばしょ で いきている。
Narēshon: Jiburi no monogatari wa, kono basho de ikite iru.
Narrator: Studio Ghibli’s stories live on in this place.
📖 Grammar Explanation
Let’s break down each sentence and analyze the grammar!
1. ナレーション: ジブリのものがたりは、この場所で生きている。
- Proper Noun & Possessive Particle: “ジブリ (Jiburi)” is a proper noun referring to Studio Ghibli, connected to the noun “ものがたり (monogatari – story/tales)” using the possessive particle “の (no)”, which functions to show ownership or association (“Ghibli’s stories”).
- Topic Marker Particle: The topic marker particle “は (wa)” follows “ジブリのものがたり (Ghibli’s stories)”, marking the entire phrase as the main topic of the sentence.
- Demonstrative Modifier & Location Particle: The demonstrative adjective “この (kono – this)” modifies the noun “場所 (basho – place)”, specifying the location directly near the speaker. The location particle “で (de)” follows “この場所 (this place)”, indicating the physical setting where the action or state takes place.
- Verb Tense & Aspect: The verb “生きている (ikite iru)” combines the Group 2 verb “生きる (ikiru – to live)” in its Te-form “生きて (ikite)” with the auxiliary verb “いる (iru)”, creating the “~te iru” continuous aspect. In terms of modality and aspect, “生きている (ikite iru)” here expresses an ongoing state resulting from a past change or a continuous condition (“are alive / live on”), conveying a warm, poetic feeling that the magical stories are vibrant and active in the real world.
- Speech Style: Note on speech style: Using the plain form “ている (te iru)” instead of the polite “ています (te imasu)” here does not mean it is impolite. In objective, narrator-style, or monologue-like contexts—such as narration, dissertations, dictionaries, or diaries—using the plain form is completely standard and natural rather than casual or rude.
Vocabulary List
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ジブリ (Jiburi) | Ghibli (Studio Ghibli) |
| の (no) | ‘s / of (possessive particle) |
| ものがたり (monogatari) | story / tale (noun) |
| は (wa) | topic marker particle |
| この (kono) | this (demonstrative modifier) |
| 場所 (basho) | place / location (noun) |
| で (de) | in / at (location particle) |
| 生きて (ikite) | living / alive (Te-form of ikiru) |
| いる (iru) | to exist / be (auxiliary verb for continuous state) |
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blanks ( ) to complete the natural conversation.
A: 田中さんは、独身ですか。
B: いいえ、結婚（ ）。
1: です
2: します
3: しています
🔑 Check the Correct Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: 3
📝 Dialogue Translation
A: Is Mr. Tanaka single?
B: No, he is married.
💡 Explanation
The continuous form “~ています (~te iru / ~te imasu)” is used to express a continuous state that resulted from an action in the past. The verb “結婚する (kekkon suru – to get married)” represents the action of marriage; to express the resulting, ongoing state of “being married,” you must use the “~te imasu” form: “結婚しています (kekkon shite imasu)”. Therefore, Option 3 is the correct choice. Option 1 “です (desu)” cannot attach directly to a verb stem, and Option 2 “します (shimasu)” means “will get married” (future or habitual action), which does not fit B’s answer about current marital status.
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