Can anyone help please? I am looking at lesson 11 in IAIJ in ものですから and I’ve got myself confused about what excuse to give to this question:
昨日はどうしたんですか。休みだったけど
Is it asking: What happened yesterday? … Then the next bit I want to say is ‘You were away’ but I wasn’t sure if this was right. I’ve had a bit of a break from Japanese recently so a bit rusty!
Any help would be wonderful and much appreciated.
Right now, it sounds like you’re saying: “What happened yesterday? But it was a day off.” Nothing to suggest you are asking about the other person’s whereabouts.
Maybe something along de lines of:
昨日会いませんでした。どうしたんですか。
PS: what is IAIJ?
Integrated approach to learning intermediate Japanese textbook.
The given sentence is actually from the textbook which is why it is confusing me. Not sure what they are meaning by it or how they want me to respond 
Hahaha, tough. Is there anymore context? Maybe post a picture of the page?
Context would be nice! Nope, all there is is that sentence on its own 
I always end up not knowing what it expects from me. I wrongly enjoy watching my Japanese teacher’s face when this happens as often she can’t make sense of it either and she is japanese! blagh.
Was hoping there was some hidden secret I was missing when translating that would make it make sense.
So the exercise is ‘formulate a response to these questions/statements’?
Yep, exactly
Currently thinking of sayinｇ：
すみません。アルバイトがあったものですから。
and hoping for the best!
But if thequestion is asking why you took a day off (presumably from work or school) maybe a different excuse would be better?
I had a headache or my dog got sick, a reapirman was coming over, I don’t know. I always think too realistically for these things, though
I think sickness is a good idea, I was just wondering about that too.
すみません。病気だったものですから。
Thanks for all your help on this Saida san!
No problem. Always up for a good discussion on any aspect of the Japanese language
You earn your name of ‘Helpful Durtle’ lol!
Thanks!
Thanks, I picked it out myself!
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