Hi, I often hear my students say that learning a language isn’t easy, of course I do understand because after all I’m in the same boat! I’m learning a language too!

You’re learning English

I’m learning Japanese

so we’re in the same boat!

If you’re in the same boat as another person then you’re in the same situation, problem or you both have something in common.

Let’s look at some examples:

• A: I’m so busy at work! 仕事が忙しいよ！
• B: I’m in the same boat as you! – (I’m also busy too)　私もよ！

Another:

• A: I can’t go out for a drink tonight!　今夜は飲みにいけないよ。
• B: Why not?　なんでよ！
• A: Because I don’t have much money.　だってお金があんまりないんだもん。
• B: I’m in the same boat as you, I don’t ether!　私だってないわよ！
• A: Okay then let’s just go out for a short time.　分かったよ、じゃあちょっとだけ行こうか！

Notice with my examples that they’re negative situations; in most cases you will find we use this phrase in a negative or unpleasant way.

※ポジティブよりもネガティブな場面で使われることが多いです。（残念ながら）私も同じようなもんだよ、といったニュアンスでしょうか。

Homework:

The next time you are in the same unpleasant situation as your friend, try to use this phrase.

Here are some suggested situations:

1. Not much money.
2. Too busy.
3. Family trouble.
4. Studying something too difficult.
5. The economy is affecting me in a bad way.
6. More…