Sportswear

Posted by MichikoNakamura Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:53:41 GMT

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Now, let's begin with this opening conversation:

Michael: Michiko, I've heard that you've taken up walking and swimming. Is that right?
Michiko: Yes, it is. I need to exercise.
Michael: Have you started already?
Michiko: No, I need to buy some clothes to exercise in and walking shoes.

When someone starts something new, we use the word "taken up." Read these example sentences:

"I've heard that you've taken up swimming"

"I've heard that you've started swimming"

Let's continue by reading this next conversation:

Cashier: Hi, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, I'm looking for sportswear.
Cashier: What kind of sports do you play?
Customer: I swim and I take walks.
Cashier: O.K. First, you'll need proper undergarments for support.
Customer: What's wrong with my regular underwear?
Cashier: Well, sports underwear is made specifically for sports. It's more breathable, comfortable, and cooler because of the special fabrics.

These days, there are many kinds of fabric for every different sport. If the customer doesn't know which one you should buy, you can ask the cashier at the store. Read this example sentence:

"What would you recommend?"

Sportswear has special qualities. They are breathable, which means that they allow your pores to breathe. They're more comfortable, lightweight, and cooler. Read these example sentences:

"This shirt is breathable and comfortable"

"These shorts are lightweight and cooler than regular shorts"

When you want to know the material of something, you can ask one of these questions:

"What is this made of?"

"What kind of material is this?"

"What kind of fabric is this made of?"

If you want to continue looking around, you can tell the salesperson:

"I'm going to look around some more"

or
"I'll be back"

Now, read this next conversation:

Michiko: Michael, I wasn't satisfied with any of the sportswear at the stores.
Michael: Why don't we order through catalog?

　Hmmm, I like　this dress.

In the conversation above, Michiko looked around at many different stores for sportswear. She didn't find any she liked. She said:

"I wasn't satisfied with any of the sportswear at the store."

Sometimes people hate crowds, or the trouble of going into a store and trying to find what they like so they buy through a catalog. Read this next conversation:

Michiko: Michael, why is my swimming suit taking such a long time? Can you call and check?
Michael: Sure.

(Phone ring)

Lady: Hello, Exercise Sportswear, may I help you?
Michael: Yes, I ordered something 6 days ago and it hasn't come yet. When you call, you should tell them when you last ordered, then what the problem is. For example, you could say this sentence:

"I ordered something 6 days ago and it hasn't come yet"

"To run out of stock" means that they have no more items left. When someone runs out of stock, they might give some excuses.

For example:

"We've run out of stock"

or
"It's on the way"

or
"We don't have your order"

Now, let's read another conversation at a sports shop.

Cashier: Hi, may I help you?
Customer: Yes, I'm looking for running shorts.
Michael: We have some nice ones here. These are comfortable and will prevent chaffing.
Michiko: What's chaffing?
Michael: That's when your skin gets irritated by clothes rubbing against your body.
Michiko: Oh, I see. How do you wash this?
Michael: Well, it's made of lycra and spandex so it's better if you hand wash it and let it drip dry.
Michiko: Will it last longer that way?
Michael: Yes, and the color won't run either.

Chaffing is an injury that you can get if you run for long distances or have improper clothes. If you go to a store, they also have gel that you can apply to prevent this injury. You can ask this question:

"Will it prevent chaffing?"

When washing, you should be careful to read the labels carefully. Sometimes you can't put a piece of clothing in the washing machine or dryer. "Drip dry" means that you have to hang the clothing on a clothesline or something and let it dry out naturally.

Read these examples and repeat after me:

"Hand wash"

"Drip dry"

"Tumble dry, low heat"

If people want their clothes to last longer, they should follow the washing requirements. You can ask the cashier this question:

"Will it last longer that way?"

Read this next conversation:

Cashier: Hi, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, I'm looking for running clothes.
Cashier: What do you have in mind?
Customer: I don't know. I just started running.
Cashier: How about this running singlet?
Customer: Umm, it's too big. Is it supposed to be like this?
Cashier: Yes, the armholes are oversized so that you have
more room to move your arms.
Customer: Is this one size fits all?
Cashier: No, but that's the smallest we have.

A singlet is a running shirt that is very light and allows your skin to breathe. You don't want it to be too big. Some shirts are made oversized on purpose. If something is too big, you can ask these questions:

"Do you have a smaller size?"

or
"Is this supposed to be oversized?"

Sometimes, shirts are made to fit everyone: If you want to find out, you can ask:

"Is this one size fits all?"

When you buy shorts for exercising, they may either be elastic or drawstring. A drawstring is the string inside the shorts that you pull to make them tighter or looser. Read these example sentences:

"I'm looking for elastic shorts"

"I'm looking for drawstring shorts"

Durable means strong or long lasting. You will want to make sure that it's strong. You can ask one of these questions:

"Is it durable?"

"Will it last a long time?"

Now that you have the clothes, you will need the right equipment.

Read this conversation at a sports shop:

Cashier: Hi, what can I do for you?
Customer: I want to buy a good swimming cap and a pair of goggles. What do you recommend?
Michael: You should get this Speedo cap and goggles. They are very durable and comfortable.
Michiko: How do you adjust this?
Michael: Just loosen this and pull here.

When trying on sports equipment such as helmets and goggles, you will need them to fit you just right. Most things are adjustable. If you are not sure how to change the size you can ask the salesperson:

"How do you adjust this?"

or
"How do you tighten this?"

You could also use these sentences:

"Just loosen this and pull here"

"It's supposed to be a little snug"

Exercising can make your body feel good. Invigorating means to be filled with energy. Here are some sentences you can use:

"It was invigorating!"

"It was refreshing!"

"It was energizing!"