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what does 言われなくちゃなんねェんだよ mean?
A manga character says this to someone who told him to ``:
> **** !!
Is that `` and if it is, how can it be part of a question (with "nan de")? I don't really understand this sentence at all. | First, understand that is a really raw/strong/rude way to say "Stop (it) !" so I won't translate it to keep the strong meaning. (Other answers are missing this important fact. The speaker does not complain about being told to stop, but the way he is being told to stop.)
With your context, this sentence would mean: Why do you have to go this far by telling me . (ie: You could have been more gentle, a softer way to say this blabla....)
sets the question.
up to ""
splited is like this
:
:
:
: to be told
=> I have to be told
It's kind of _Why do I have to be told things this far/rude as _. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "colloquial language, contractions"
} |
Expressing neighborhood in Japanese
Something I have often stumbled on is the expression of "neighborhood" in Japanese. For most uses I find that works well. However, this usually seems to refer to a closer proximity than one would equate to the english "neighborhood". When one describes a neighborhood of a city, for example, Shibuya, Minowa or Ginza in Tokyo, it seems that doesn't really apply. In the common English phrase, "What neighborhood do you live in?," I have yet to find a suitable Japanese equivalent. I was suggested that would work, though the speaker told me this was perhaps a flawed translation as has more of the feeling of town.
example:
> I live in Minowa. Do you know that neighborhood?
>
>
So what word do you think is best in asking someone, "What neighborhood do you live in?" Or if this question would be so rare in natural Japanese as to be unnatural, why would this be the case? |
I live in Minowa. Do you know that neighborhood?
[]{}/[]{}
[]{}
What neighborhood do you live in?
| stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "translation, words"
} |
Zero-nominalisation - Why and When?
Building on from Zhen Lin's answer to "The grammar of ~~",
Brief explanation of Zero-nominalisation:
> Nominalisation refers to the process of turning a word, or more generally a phrase, into a noun or noun phrase. For example, and are nominalisers for verb phrases. Zero-nominalisation is when the nominalisation happens without an overt word.
Previously being examined:
> has a modern grammar rendition:
>
>> [a]
>
> It is observed that the declension of the adjective is instead of as one would normally expect of -adjectives when used with a verb.
>
> Zero-nominalisation accounts for this idiosyncratic behaviour.
**Question:**
* Why does zero-nominalisation occur?
* Why do the adjectives in [a] not take on the `` declension (along with deletion of the particle)? Would still be grammatical?
* In what other instance(s) (if any) is zero-nominalisation appropriate? | Interesting question! The cases I can think of are , , ,
> It's faster to walk than to take the bus
>
> You need a visa to go to Japan
>
> Even if it's true, I'm still concerned
>
> This is necessary for participating
There are probably others.
As to why zero-nominalization occurs, I'm not sure. But it seems like it's an old construct in Japanese, which used to be more prevalent, but now only survives in certain combinations. So an more interesting question might be why it started to disappear.
would mean "do it well/do it often/make it well". would mean "make it a good one/choose a good one". I'm not sure if it's to distinguish from these cases that zero-nominalization survived here, but it might be a theory. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 14,
"tags": "grammar, nominalization"
} |
Is -はない just another way of saying -じゃありません?
In the sentence:
Is the - another way of saying - or -?
And is it read as wanai or hanai? | I would advise you to read up on the differences between all conjugations of the copula // and the existence verbs and .
1. "~" (read as "wa nai") means "~ is not present(Lit: not exist)".
The `` is the negated form of the existence verb ``.
2. "~" (de wa nai) means "it is not ~"
`` is the negated form of the copula (``). It can also be colloquially shorted to ``. The polite form is ``, and it's corresponding shortened form is ``.
So to answer your question more directly, ~ is not the same as /. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "grammar, meaning"
} |
Is there a non-katakana word for "cash flow"?
If you look up "cash flow" in most dictionaries, it seems the concept is expressed in katakana, ``.
However, I was speaking with a Japanese person earlier, and the term was not immediately understood. I ended up having to explain in a roundabout way that I was referring to my income and outflow of cash, and how it effected the amount I had available at one time.
Two questions:
Is `` not in common use by everyone?
In any case, is there a clearer native Japanese term I can use to express the same concept? | The problem with 'cashflow' in English is that it has a business meaning (which I think is income generated from a business or investment) and a colloquial meaning (referring to liquidity or general financial situation).
If you're looking for an equivalent to the business term, I think is probably ok. But if you're just trying to refer to your impecuniousness in a mock-business sort of way, you should look for something else. hasn't made it into ordinary Japanese vocabulary in the same way that 'cashflow' has in English. I might suggest as a possible equivalent, but there are probably snappier and more appropriate ways of saying it.
Note: I just thought of the expression , which might also fit the bill -- although could suggest a rather more serious situation than the casual use of 'cashflow' would imply. At any rate, this page ( gives a lot of interesting synonyms for that might be useful:
1.
2.
3.
| stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "word choice, loanwords, business japanese"
} |
What is this 〜な〜な pattern?
Today I was reading the story of David & Goliath and saw this strange pattern:
> **** **** 17:16
> Goliath challenged the Israelites every morning and evening for forty days. - 1 Samuel 17:16 ; (Yes, " ~~stood in the same place~~ Took up his same position" implies his challenges from an early part of the story)
Is this basically just a `` pattern or does it have other uses too? What is its origin? Is it formal and/or archaic? Is it a typo in my Bible?
I've never seen this pattern before and cannot find anything on it. Any information would be great. | They are used with time nouns, in parallel. I know of only these usage patterns:
* []{}[]{} (also read as ) - every morning
* []{}[]{} - every morning and evening
* []{}[]{} - every night
According to Kadokawa Shōjiten "Nihongo no Gogen", it's shortened from (source), but I can't confirm the veracity. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
Can I use [自称]{じしょう}ほど for things other than namesake?
> []{}[]{}[]{}[]{}
>
> Other than its maker logo screen, Death Crimson is not as menacing as its namesake.
As with the sentence above, I can use for referring to namesake.
In another question, the phrase `as it's claimed to be` is suggested to be translated to ``. Can I use here instead? Like
> | To begin with, I do not think that the use of in the first sentence is correct. means how someone refers to him/herself (regardless of how others refer to him/her). For example, means a self-styled musician. (This example was taken form New Century Japanese-English Dictionary.) It is not really about a name, but about a self-claimed occupation or some other attribute of a person. I would say something like instead of in the first sentence.
The use of in the second example is incorrect because (the education system in our country) does not refer to itself as something good. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "usage"
} |
Meaning/usage of なめるな
I have been struggling to find a meaning for . The word seems to have the effect of asking people to shut up, but this is just a guess.
It appears in a news story about someone's twitter comment, from last year.
The last few bits of the comment are:
| Judging from the nuance of '' and '' and the tone of '', I'd rather say it's the same as = = Don't fuck with me' < | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "usage"
} |
How often does gairaigo （外来語） get bikago （美化語）?
How often does gairaigo get bikago?
is mentioned by Wiktionary, and Wikipedia mentions it being used ironically in o-kokakōra, but I haven't come across any others.
One case where its absence is noticeable is referring to someone else's partner as a without an before it (or a afterwards, for that matter)
Are there any words other than that often get (apart from in the speech of teenage girls)? | Some people use . Both and sound like words used in a certain idiolect to me, and their use is not limited to teenage girls, but I do not know exactly what kind of people use these words. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "loanwords, bikago"
} |
Nuance of 離{はな}れ
In my JLPT textbook, it has a section on the use of the term {}, "detachment". Some examples:
> []{} (detachment from television)
>
> []{} (detachment from things)
>
> []{} (detachment from politics)
However, it does not make it clear if the detachment is a willful act or an incidental act, or maybe even if it can be used in both senses.
So, if I say someone is `[]{}`, am I saying they have made a _choice_ to stay out of politics? Or am I saying that they live a life that just happens to not have anything to do with politics?
Or can it mean either, and context is needed to determine which one? | The best way to put it is that, it is no not necessarily willful. It is simply the state of being detached from.
The root of this is an intransitive verb, meaning that it is something that has sort of happened on it's own. That could mean it was willful, but it could also mean it wasn't.
If you wish to make it clear that it was willful you can use . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "word choice, nuances, suffixes"
} |
What's the difference between 理系{りけい} , 理科{りか}, and 科学{かがく}?
In my dictionary, `{}`, `{}`, and `{}` are defined simply as "science".
What, if anything, differentiates them?
Especially in terms of the feeling or nuance when used in everyday conversation. | Excuse me for posting an answer without referring to any sources...
We usually use to refer to a school subject (which usually includes these 4 fields: physics, biology, earth science and chemistry). We usually use the word in upper grades at elementary school, and in senior high we have []{} (=chemistry and physics) and []{} (=earth science and biology). In senior high we usually choose 2 to 4 from these 4 fields and don't use the word anymore. I think we sometimes call these 4 subjects '[]{}...maybe it's like 'the group of scientific subjects'/'one of the scientific subjects'.
And as Paul-san said, we often say 'She is /', 'I am []/' when we talk about which field of and someone majors/majored in at college, and also '/That university is ', '[]{}[]{}/This faculty/department (at college) is ' etc. to talk about what kind of courses a college/faculty/department has.
As for … sorry Dave-san, I still don't know what to write about it here... | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "word choice, definitions, nuances"
} |
What's the difference between 世間{せけん} and 世界{せかい}?
Both `{}` and `{}` seem to mean "world" in the sense of "a sphere of human activity or interest", or "a particular way of life", and that sort of thing. (As opposed to `{}`, the literal globe of a planet we live on.)
What is the difference between them, though?
_**Bonus question:_** When looking up the above words, I came across this odd variant: `{}`, which also means "world", but also means "this fleeting life". It conveys the temporariness of being in this world. Is it interchangeable to any degree with the above words, or is it strictly poetic and reserved for flowery ruminations? | In my feeling, those sound quite different.
: the Japanese society.
ex. "" = common sense of our society.
: the whole world on the globe. Particularly outside of Japan.
ex. "" = international news. "" = a round-the-world trip.
In short, "" sounds like more local stuff.
> is it () strictly poetic and reserved for flowery ruminations?
Yes I think so. Never used in daily life. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "definitions, word choice"
} |
How to express vague amounts of time?
I'm having trouble figuring out how to express vague amounts of time in Japanese, such as `some number of months` or `some number of hours`.
I want to use this in a context where the specific number is neither important nor known, but the factor of time passing/occurring is important. For example:
> `Some hours` later, he finished the test.
>
> Traveling to and staying in another country requires `some number of months` free. | Two constructions spring to mind here.
{} can be used in place of a specific number, followed by a counter, to mean "some" / "a few" / "several" (it doesn't really make a distinction in this respect...).
>
This can be used in ways you might not expect:
> some tens of seconds
> ten-(and-some)-odd seconds (between 10 and 19)
> twenty-(and-some)-odd years
Alternatively, you can use + counter + .
> []{}
The same kind of uses seen above for also apply to . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 12,
"tags": "time"
} |
揺れる with に or で
I rarely have any problems with the and particles, but I have been a bit confused since seeing the word in a few different sentences.
As far as I know it is ok to say either:
>
or
>
Where you could of course replace with another word like or .
My problem is that I can't tell the difference between these sentences.
To me, at the moment, they both mean **"~ is swaying in the wind"**. But there must be some difference between these sentences that I am not seeing.
Can anybody tell me the difference in meaning when it comes to the or particles with the word ?
Any help would be appreciated. | sounds a bit poetic and literary to me. If I'm writing an essay, novel or poem, I'd write . I think we usually say in daily conversations. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 14,
"tags": "particles, particle に, particle で, に and で"
} |
Equivalents of Google Ngram for Japanese
Are there any equivalents of Google Ngram for Japanese?
Google Ngram doesn't currently cover Japanese, and the only other thing I could find was < , which seems to be a paid-for service. | Google Japan sells the Japanese version of "Google Ngram". Here is the site: <
But the site is only in Japanese. There might be the same site in English, though. I hope it helps. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "resources"
} |
Verb-てあった vs verb-てあります
Does verb- mean the same thing as verb-? | To answer your question simply, the two forms you are asking about do not mean the same thing.
You've actually got two differences at work here.
One difference is the politeness level. ~, is the plain form. ~ is the polite form.
The other difference is the tense. ~, is the past tense. ~ is the present tense.
I hope that helps clear it up. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "suffixes"
} |
Term for health retreat accommodation
I've been trying to google some Japanese pages for health retreats. I've tried a few different combinations, but all I seem to get are yoga class studios or beauty salons. What term best describes the kind of accommodation where you can stay and have healthy food in a beautiful and peaceful environment? | Most typical are , , , , , . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "translation"
} |
Defining a particular 系
<
The article above, about how a girl wants to be loved, is entitled
>
I am wondering which definition of this is, and how best to understand it and translate it into English. My friend gave the unwieldy "Being Loved Type", while I proposed "System of being loved" (a direct translation?), but maybe "Method of being loved" or "How I want to be loved" works. What do you think? | As you see, the article also mentions and .
In casual speech, the Japanese sometimes divide the attractiveness of girls/women into categories like
> The beautiful type
>
> The cute type
>
> The sexy type
'' is not typically heard (and this is probably why the article is using around it), but it seems that this girl created this category to categorize her own attractiveness as well, namely as 'someone that is easy to approach, that people feel comfortable talking to'.
So here definitely means 'type'. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "translation, words, slang, suffixes"
} |
What is the meaning of あるある?
I saw it used on Twitter several times, but googling around I couldn't figure it out.
Here are some examples.
> "@mao_sid: 242"
>
> "@mao_sid: 24"
>
> "@mao_sid: 24"
It looks like this is about the TV show "24." But I don't understand the part. | In colloquial speech, is basically a way to respond to questions like "Have you ever noticed how the more busy Jack gets, the more he sweats". means something like "Yeah, I recognize that situation" or "Yeah, I've been thinking about that too" or "Yeah, I _have_ noticed that".
One meaning of is 'humorous material' or 'joke material'. There's a term , which basically means humorous questions like the above, which you can use in conversation as jokes.
Here, although I'm not familiar with Twitter lingo, I would guess that the poster is using 24 to refer to about the TV show '24'. So basically "In 24, have you noticed how [...]". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 14,
"question_score": 12,
"tags": "meaning, slang, internet slang"
} |
What is じゃ in じゃない?
Since there is possibility of "" instead of "" (which is logical, given "" is polite ""), and it also seemed that I have seen "" used without "", I'd like to ask, what "" exactly means? It looks like some kind of particle which was used in old Japanese but is not used any more. | It's a contraction of `` (particle ``, which has various uses, and the topic marker ``). It is not particularly related to classical Japanese, and is not used only with negation. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "particles, contractions, particle で, particle は, copula"
} |
〜(ら)れる - Ambiguity between passive and Keigo
In my Japanese Bible, it often uses the () Keigo form when talking about God's actions. However, there are certain cases when talking about both people and God in the same sentence where the use of () is ambiguous as to whether it's the Keigo for God's actions, or the passive of what will happen to the people.
Take this verse:
> **** 58:9
> When you call to me, I will respond. - Isaiah 58:9
So I'm confused as to whether this is shortened from
> **** **** → If you call, _you will be told_ "I am here"
or
> **** **** → If you call, _God will say_ "I am here"
Are there any indicators as to which it might be? Does it even matter? | I agree with sawa that from syntactic clues this fragment is ambiguous, but there are actually more syntactic clues if you look at the whole sentence, which is:
> **** ****
It would be possible, but quite perverse (and impious, as Sawa notes!) to interpret the in the second half as a passive rather than an honorific form parallel to . Note that you can see the same construction, right down to the subject-dropping, in the Vulgate version, where "dicet" ("(He) will say") is parallel to "Dominus exaudiet" ("The Lord will hear"):
> tunc invocabis et **Dominus exaudiet** clamabis et **dicet** ecce adsum | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "verbs, conjugations, ambiguity"
} |
Is it natural to call elderly men ojiisan?
Is ojiisan an idiomatic word choice for a chronologically gifted man, akin to obaasan for elderly women? For example, when giving your seat to them on the train. | means both a grandfather and an elderly man. When written in kanji, it is written as when it means grandfather, and written as when it means elderly man. The same applies to (/).
It is natural to call an elderly man . However, I have heard that some people do not like the use of and which mean elderly man and woman, and that in particular they do not like to be called that way. I guess that the reason for this is that calling a person or may imply that the most relevant attribute of the person is his/her age. Although I do not find it reasonable, I may hesitate to call someone who I do not know at all or to avoid unnecessary conflict.
By the way, similarly to and , can mean an uncle or a middle-aged man, and written as (elder brother of parent), (younger brother of parent), or (middle-aged man, but not commonly written in kanji). The same applies to (, , ). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "word choice, politeness"
} |
What does the verb 好く do?
Observation:
* The verb exists.
* is transitive.
By extension, "to like ~" is predicted to be:
> a. ~
However, empirical data shows that this pattern is the accepted form:
> b. ~
Question: Is `~` used and is it even grammatical? If it is not used, why is it so? | **Is ~ used and is it even grammatical?**
It's grammatical, but hardly ever used in the form in standard modern Japanese.
However, the passive form is quite common in standard Japanese.
Dialectal negative forms or are also quite common in certain parts.
**If it is not used, why is it so?**
This is mostly me guessing, but I imagine that people shied away from the use with the direct object marker because it seemed a bit too... well... direct.
Why instead of ? I think this might be for a similar reason that exists next to . However, maybe it's more acceptable to be direct about things that you dislike than things that you like, so survived.
But then why not with on the object like many other verbs that have to do with emotion? (Incidentally, takes so this would fit into the pattern.) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar, word choice"
} |
Proper Terms For Representing GPS Coordinates
In another question, I mentioned using Kana to represent the GPS coordinates for:
N 43° 09.725' W 077° 26.688'
I used:
kita shijuu san jisuu ku chobo nanahyaku nijuu go fun
nishi nanajuu shichi jisuu nijuu roku chobo roppyaku kyuujuu hachi fun
Are the terms that I used for north, west, degree, decimal, and minutes correct in the context that I'm using them?
* north | kita |
* west | nishi |
* degrees | jisuu |
* decimal | chobo |
* minutes | fun | | `` (jisuu) seems to be "degree" in the graph theory sense, not as in angles. I've never heard `` used for "decimal point", but perhaps I'm ignorant here.
The terms I would use are `` (do) and `` (ten) respectively. `` (comma) is also heard as a decimal point separator (even when the symbol `,` is not used).
Note that, as in English, numbers after a decimal point should be spelled out individually, not using a place system:
English: `.688` is read e.g. `point six eight eight` not `point six hundred and eighty eight`.
Japanese: `.688` is read e.g. ` ` not ` `. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "usage, kana, kana usage"
} |
How to sound more manly when sneaking popcorn into the cinema
OK, really esoteric question time:
So I went to the cinema with a female friend on the weekend. I was going to buy some of the horrendously overpriced popcorn there, but then she said:
> !
And she had already brought some in her bag. Apparently, ~ is quite girly though. How could I say this in a more male (but still funny) way? | Lol... How about []{}[]{} It should sound more manly at least. BTW I'm in Kansai and I think guys here would say more like []{}[]{}()! Doesn't it sound sooo funny? | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "nuances, colloquial language, gender"
} |
Does がち mean "in excess"?
I have been reading a daily article during .
One of the sentence used the word . The sample sentence is:
> {}{}
>
> Abundant of misses.
I tried to ask my colleague about the meaning of and they said it means [in excess]. For example if used with it means a lot of misses?
But when I try to look at alc.co.jp for examples. There were some with no pattern. For example:
>
What does mean this time? | In all of your examples, it means "likely to, tend to". It does not mean "excess".
>
> 'Pros tend to be (unwillingly) overlooked.'
>
>
> 'In airplanes or trains, **" pseudo-workshops" are likely to start**.' (Interpretation a)
> 'In airplanes or trains, "pseudo-workshops" are likely to **start** , (not likely to end).' (Interpretation b)
> '"Pseudo-workshops" are likely to start **within airplanes or trains** , (not elsewhere).' (Interpretation c)
> '"Pseudo-workshops" are likely to start **within** airplanes or trains, (not in front them or behind them, etc.).' (Interpretation d)
> '"Pseudo-workshops" are likely to start within **airplanes or trains** , (not within busses or cars, etc.).' (Interpretation e)
> 'In airplanes or trains, **" pseudo-workshops"** are likely to start, (not dance parties). (interpretation f) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "meaning"
} |
Dismissing an expectation
What can be said when I need to dismiss an expectation?
Here are some examples of what I mean by "expectation":
* I ask someone what time it is, then I remembered that I'm actually wearing a watch. The person expects to tell me what time it is but I no longer require help. (Expectation created by me)
* I suspect I do not have enough coins to buy a drink from a coin-only vending machine. I ask someone for change. However I discover that I indeed have enough coins with me. The person still carries an expectation to help me although I no longer require help. (Expectation created by me)
* A waiter offers to refill a glass. He is expected to serve me because of the nature of the job. I do not wish to have a refill. (Expectation not created by me)
I came up with `` but I think saying that is unnecessarily direct in conveying "I no longer need (help)". | As Sawa said, `` works when the expectation is created by you. `` works when the expectation was not created by you.
If you want to be more respectful, you can use `(){}`.
There is also a variant `(){}` which is heard **a lot** , but some insist that this use of `` is wrong or strange.
Just to warn you, `` sounds quite rude. `` (anymore) could be taken as if you don't need the help anymore because the help wasn't given early enough. `` sounds a bit like "I don't need and I don't want".
The / variants are really the best, similar to English "I'm fine, thanks". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "word choice, words, set phrases"
} |
Sentence ending のを(だ)
I do not understand the meaning of :
> a. () ( is indicated as optional)
Is it different from:
> b. (I'm not sure if this is grammatical)
>
> c.
What does it mean when the copula takes on a direct object? I have so far only encountered `AB`, `AB`, `B` but I have not seen directly preceding the copula before. | It is a (pseudo) cleft sentence with the noun phrase and the topic ellided. I thought there was a variety among native speakers who accept `` and who don't.
>
> 'In fact, he bought a house that has a large garden.' (Original sentence)
>
> ()
> 'In fact, what he bought was a house that has a large garden.' ((Pseudo) cleft)
>
> ()
> 'In fact, what he bought was one that has a large garden.' (Ellipsis of a noun phrase)
>
> ()
> 'In fact, (what he bought was) one that has a large garden.' (Ellipsis of the topic)
It is different from the other sentence, in which simply `` is ellided:
>
> 'In fact, (it) has a large garden.' | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "grammar, particle を, copula, cleft sentences"
} |
Which kanji for はじめます? There seem to be two
I thought the kanji for was:
>
However, one of my friends tweeted using :
>
Which is correct? Is there a difference in nuance between the two? jisho.org brings up both. | You are confusing the two examples. Both of your examples are correct. Why do you assume as if one in not? Only the first one is read as "".
You never use `` to write "". A close usage I can think of is ``, which is a fixed expression and is not constructive. For writing ``, you always write ``.
* `` verb 'start'
* `` adverb/noun 'for the first time' | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "nuances, kanji, homophonic kanji"
} |
word search: voluntary pause between desire and action
Some years ago, I read that Japanese has a word (or idiomatic expression) that means roughly:
The action of voluntary interposing a pause between the
moment you desire something and the moment you start
to do something to acquire it.
I was never able to find it again. Does it really exist? If yes, what is it? Is it some jargon word (e.g. religion, philosophy)?
* * *
As @Sawa suggested, I'll try to better define my request. Imagine this sequence:
1. I see a beautiful thing in a shop window.
2. I desire it.
3. I decide to sit down and wait.
4. After some minute, I get up and, in case, I go inside the shop to buy the thing.
I am searching for a word that describe the 3rd step of this sequence. | In this case, I would suggest the idea of _tachidomaru - coming to a stand still._ )
I've seen this used by people when they are describing someone who is stopping to think about something; not yet acting (other than stopping whatever action they had been doing beforehand.) It conveys a sense of stopping everything to ponder about the next action one is to take. _Potentially for the sake of making a life changing decision._
Here is an example of this phrase in one type of context. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "translation, words, expressions"
} |
What is the Japanese for "I'll check it out, I will try and see"?
I found a form using ``, and it seemed very useful, but I could never remember it. It means something like "I will try it out" or "I will try and see", and the Japanese form is something like `...` I know this is vague, but I am also some form like this is pretty common and I can't remember what it is. Can anyone recall? | `` is "try out ...".
>
> 'try riding a bicycle' | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "set phrases"
} |
How to use こと when expressing the experience of something?
How can i talk about the experience of something using ? would this be the experience of being able to buy?
If you understand my problem please show me more examples! | I think I vaguely know what you're trying to find out. You should be looking for:
*
It literally means something like "to have (the experience of) ~"
Verbs:
> Present: - "There are times that (I) run"
>
> Past: - "There was a time when (I) ran"
-Adjectives:
> Present: - "There are times when (something) is expensive"
>
> Past: - "There was a time when (something) was expensive"
-Adjectives:
> Present: - "There are times when (something) is quiet"
>
> Past: - "There was a time when (something) was quiet"
* * *
Note that ~ is structurally ambiguous between being an appositive clause and a relative clause. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
Particles in the Passive form causing me confusion (を、に、が)
Sometimes, I dont know what particles to use in the passive form
I REALLY dont understand the difference between those three. Is the first one that uses indicating that there is a subject that drank the wine? Do all of them mean that the wine has been drunk?
Thanks! | We usually do not say ''. It would mean 'Something was drunk by wine'.
'' sounds to me like 'Someone drank "my" wine'.
I think '' just means '(The) wine was drunk./Someone or some people drank (the) wine.' In this sentence the wine might not have been mine. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "usage"
} |
How to hope something is going well?
I would like to hope that someone's small business is going well.
I know if someone's business is going well they can say:
but, how can I say "I hope your store is prosperous/I hope business is going well" | Maybe, just add 'hope' or 'pray'.
> / | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "word choice, usage, nuances"
} |
Appropriateness of the word 膣外射精 in average adult conversations?
In discussing the marriage of Jin Akanishi and Meisa Kuroki, and why many young celebrities in Japan seem to fall into shotgun marriages, I wanted to use an equivalent for the term "withdrawal method", a phrase in english that is pretty innocuous. I found , and I was wondering if it was a decent equivalent, or if it was too racy for average conversations? I've seen it translated as withdrawal method and coitus interruptus, which are pretty safe, but translated literally I guess it means "extra-vaginal ejaculation", which besides being a mouthful to say in English, could be somewhat inappropriate in certain situations. Forgive any unintended puns in the question. Any alternative euphemisms or suggestions are appreciated if warranted. | is the technical term. I wouldn't be worried about it being too dirty for conversation, because it is of a technical nature. However, I would worry about it being too literary to be understood in converstion.
You might want to consider []{} instead. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "words"
} |
The gender of 子
Is ever used to refer to a boy, or is it always used for girls? Is used only for girls? | Yes, `` can be used for boys.
`` means "child", and it can refer to girls or boys depending on the context. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "kanji, meaning, gender"
} |
How do you talk about things in parts?
I would like to say "It is written half in English and half in Japanese."
When writing this myself I came up with:
>
but I think that
>
does not sound very natural? | I think that
>
is fine. I think you could also say:
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "word choice, usage"
} |
How is 候 used in this line of Nōgaku dialogue?
I am studying some nōgaku. In particular, the play , which I find has some interesting, beautiful lines.
At the start of the play, a priest says:
[]{}[]{}[]{}[]{}[]{}[]{}
which Waley translates as:
> I am a priest of the Koyasan. I am minded to go up to the Capital to visit the shrines and sanctuaries there.
But what is []{} doing? Its meaning does not seem clear at all. | It's a sentence ending that makes the sentence formal or polite. These sentences are called . It does not have contentful meaning. It became pretty much archaic. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "nuances"
} |
Confusion between causatives and intransitive-transitive
I read the answer to this question
How different is from ? And from ?
but somehow wasn't satisfied.
1. What's the difference between the 2 causative forms and , e.g. and ?
2. Usually the form seems more common to me, but for some verbs, they both seem equally common, e.g. and . Is that because the I'm thinking of is not really a causative, but a transitive partner-word of ?
3. The linked question lists a similar, but un-productive form, . Not the k from the stem, as in , but a k in the suffix. →, →, →, →. Are these fossilized instances of an archaic productive form, and does it have anything to do with causative? | [1] The causative affix `-(s)ase-` (your ``) is productive and can be used either as let-causative or make-causative.
>
> 'let Taro listen to music'
> 'make Taro listen to music'
The causative affix`-as-` (your ``) is not productive, and can only mean make-causative.
>
> 'make Taro listen to music'
[2] `` is already transitive.
[3] At least, you can extract the morpheme, so it probably was productive until some point. They are changing intransitives into transitives, not causatives. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "grammar, etymology, causation"
} |
What is the equivalent use of need and need + Verb?
If I see someone struggling to pick up a box, I'd say: "Do you need help with that?"
Or I have to run an errand very soon, I could say: "I need to buy this gift by 4 pm."
Or if someone's car has stopped working, I could say: "Do you need a lift?"
Do the Japanese use the word "need" in this way? Or is there a special word/particle/ending that provides the same usage/function? | You could say `(noun)` or `(verb plain form)`.
> {/} → That work requires cooperation.
> → Is it necessary to tell him?
However, this would probably sound patronizing if you were asking someone like "Do you need help with that?" Might just be better to ask if you can help them do the thing.
> → Shall I help you with that?
"Need" can also be interchangeable with "must" depending on the context, so you can use the `{}{}` form.
> 4 → I need to buy a gift by 4:00
> 4 → I must buy a gift by 4:00 (lit., "It won't go over if I don't buy a gift by 4:00") | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
苦手 in describing dislike of people
>
>
> Frankly speaking, I dislike her, because the first thing she does is to ask other people for help.
I would like to better understand the quality of dislike expressed here with . Is it related to the other meaning of , perhaps as in "I am not good at handling her," and thus maybe less severe than ? How does this compare to in severity, nuance and politeness? | has a nuance which is something like 'not good at' 'weak point' 'hard to deal with', thereby hinting that your dislike for something/someone is not entirely their fault, but perhaps also partially yours.
This makes softer and safer than . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "words"
} |
Is 東西二つ idiomatic?
I came across this sentence about a traditional festival in Japan:
>
(link)
The general meaning is clear, but what I don't fully understand is this part: ``
Its seems to me that `` is idiomatic for "all over" (judging from what I saw of a Google search of the phrase...I couldn't find a definition of them together), but the I couldn't figure out what `` means in this context? I know could mean "separated" (, to separate), but apparently in the -form it can also mean "particularly" or "above all", which makes even less sense to me..."particularly East and West?" | `` means "separate the Azuki district into two parts, east and west".
You could insert a , making it ``, but the adverbial use without it is not uncommon for these "listing"-jukugo like ``, ``, `` etc. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "definitions, idioms, phrases"
} |
Is キモい a feminine expression?
I understand that comes from and I have only heard it used by women. I am wondering if it is exclusively used by women like how ending sentences with or is only used by women. | No. Many of my male friends in Osaka/Kansai use , especially the emphatic ``. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "slang, feminine speech"
} |
What role does よかった play in this exchange?
It's from twitter.
hetusa: (73)
itoi_shigesato:
hetusa:
My feeling is that it says something like 'just so'.
Also, it common to respond to with gratitude? | `` means that the speaker was glad that the lost person was found.
I'm not sure that `` is a direct response to ``, rather it's expressing gratitude for the other person showing concern about the lost person. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "words"
} |
Why does 語 contain 五?
I'm aware the two kanji are often pronounced the same, but why does one contain the other in it? | That is called . About 90% of all kanjis are created in this way. In this case, the left side `` is responsible for the meaning, and the right side, `` is responsible for the pronunciation. In turn, `` is composed of the upper part ``, which is responsible for the pronunciation and the lower part ``, which is responsible for the meaning. Why is `` included in ``? Because it was created so. Why is this way of creating kanji so popular? Because it will be a mess if thousands of kanjis were all pictograms, and if the pronunciation and the meaning are combined, it will be easy to both remember its meaning and the pronunciation. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 27,
"question_score": 21,
"tags": "kanji"
} |
Reading of 起き上がり小法師
In particular, of the `` part.
I this article, we have `` as `` in the title, which makes sense to me given the kanji. However, upon looking up ``, I find the reading ``(without the ) (found in multiple dictionaries and it's the first suggested reading on Wikipedia).
Why is there this discrepancy?
Presumably it's just a change in sound from to , but are there many words where a long vowel is shortened in this way? | As you surmised, it is just an sound change: the long vowel shortened. This is made clear by recorded early citations. Earlier citations for okiagari kobōshi--with the long vowel--may be found from mid-Muromachi texts. (For example "Jippon Ōgi" .) Early citations for okiagari koboshi--with the short vowel--may be found from early Edo period. (For example "Kyōgonki" .)
The word kobōshi also exists. Early citations from the 10th century. Note that there does not seem to be a corresponding *koboshi, though. That may give a hint as to why okiagari koboshi came about: to distinguish this self-righting dharma doll from "a young monk" (kobōshi). But that is only a guess.
In modern Japanese, the version with the short vowel is most common. That is why you will likely find in regular dictionaries.
For the record, you may also find the following expressions as well: okikaeri kobōshi and okiyagari / okyagari koboshi, all with the same meaning. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "readings"
} |
What is the most common way to pronounce 運?
So is spelled , but I seem to hear most of my friends pronounce it as . My friends and family are 20-60 years of age and come from mostly Tokyo and Ibaraki area. I am living in the US now and so am not speaking much Japanese, but I remember trying to pronounce it as and being misunderstood till I pronounced it as (or maybe more like a nasal ahn). Is this a regional dialect? Does anyone pronounce it as ? Which way should I pronounce it to be understood by most Japanese? | I'm sure it is pronounced as Un~
I lived in ibaraki and they used "un" when we discussed it in benkyoukai. Haven't heard "an" used before. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "readings, colloquial language, phonology"
} |
How to ask for a refund?
I want to ask for a refund? For example, if I want to refund a train ticket. How do I ask the train master?
I think it is not a
Do you need certain politeness? | In this case, you might somehow use ``.
* `` focuses on the merchandise being returned from the customer to the shop.
* `` focuses on the money being returned from the shop to the customer.
Often, two things happen at the same time, but depending on what kind thing was sold, it is more appropriate to focus on one or the other. In addition, for things like train tickets, they are not reused by another customer; they will be probably just become void, and/or thrown out. In that case there is no process that will be described as ``, so it is better to use ``.
In Japan, customers are generally considered to be in a socially higher status than the shop clerk (of course only in that temporaral situation), so you don't have to be too polite, but may use the polite form. But note that in Japan, returning things is not done as frequent as in U.S. For things like tickets, there should be a clear policy somewhere regarding refunding. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "word choice, nuances"
} |
What does the idiom 体が余る mean?
I found a list of Japanese idioms (without translations) that I wanted to study, so I sat down and looked up the meanings. Most of them I found in my trusty denshi jishyo, and a couple of them I had to resort to some internet resources (goo, Google Translate etc.), but I couldn't find the meaning of `` anywhere. (Full disclosure: I found a couple of typos on the list, this one was listed as ``, but Google points at it using `` instead.)
A direct translation would be something like "A surplus of body"...perhaps it means overweight? | I had never heard this idiom, but as you said, some people use it on the web. I suspect that it is dialectal. This post is not really an answer, but here I would like to list some usages on the web. It seems to me that there are several different usages.
### Person is too tall for something, or body is not fully utilized
<
> 160
<
>
### To feel that body is excessive
(I cannot get hold of this meaning.)
<
>
(The same text also contains “.”)
### To get bored
<
>
<
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "idioms"
} |
How is 3.11 pronounced?
When referring to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident, is "3.11" pronounced "San gatsu ju ichi nichi", or is there a shortened version, like "nine one one" or "September eleven" for the terrorist attacks on September the eleventh? | For `2.26` or `5.15`, I remember learning them to be read as "", "," but I also hear people reading them as "", "." Other than these two, as far as I know, incidents written like this seem to be read simply as if you read a number with a decimal point, like "." | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "pronunciation"
} |
How can I express "and/or"?
When stating two things e.g. `A` and `B` , and not counting the possibility of "neither", there exists `A`, `B` and `A and B`. To express all of them at once, "and/or" is commonly used. What are the ways to express this in Japanese? I came up with `` but I feel it's a little bit unwieldy. Is there a shorter or better way to express this? | The standard way is to say `A,B`, `AB` "at least either out of A and B". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "words"
} |
Explain what はめになる is and give some examples
I heard that it means something like "to get stuck with something."
Can you explain what this means and give some examples? | Looks like it means to wind up in an undesirable situation. Some of the definitions for the kanji {} are difficult/awkward situation; bind; mess. The is the common suffix .
In all of the examples I've seen it attaches to the plain form of verbs (not necessarily the dictionary form, but a form of the verb that ends in an u).
Here's a couple from Ejiro:
>
> end up doing everything
(as opposed to one's coworkers, teammates, etc.)
> If those roads had been finished then, Pakistan would have been a little more developed by now, but Bhutto, the Prime Minister who took up office after that, cancelled the construction because if the roads had been completed, the credit would only have gone to Sharif.
> Owing to Bhutto, not only were the roads not finished, but the people were put in the nasty situation of having to shoulder an enormous debt. **** | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "meaning, set phrases"
} |
Understanding "よりを戻す" and "止めておこう"
> I don't think us getting together tonight is such a good idea.
>
>
I would like to understand this sentence better, specifically the (idiomatic?) expression, "." I will parse the parts I am not sure of below to see if I grasp it correctly:
"" "after all."
"" is an idiom(?) meaning "get back together."
"" "Should let pass/should let the matter drop/let's quit"
If these are acceptable, how does "" express "get back together"?
And does the in "" derive from ? | As you correctly understood, is an idiom meaning for a broken couple to get back together.
[[]{}]( means “to twist threads together to make a thicker string.” [[]{}]( literally means to undo this process and turn a string into several threads apart. This may sound like the opposite of getting back together (certainly it does sound like the opposite to me), but I guess that the analogy here is that “twisting” refers to the conflict between a couple, and removing the twist corresponds to getting back together.
in []{} is etymologically derived from (to put), but here … means “to do … for now.” In this context, means to avoid getting back together for now. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "grammar, words, て form, idioms"
} |
How do you say I am emailing something and attaching it to the email?
I am usually confused if I am going to use or when specifying that I attached something to the email.
For example:
or
I would usually say that I am usually trying to say that the assigned task is finished the finished output is attached to the mail. Is it more natural to say (attached) or (in the mail)? | I think we usually use the verb '[]{}'.
//etc...
Or maybe you could say
//(Hmm, too polite?) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "word choice, nuances, email"
} |
How to ask person to guess for something during conversation?
I was conversing with my Japanese colleague:
> Me: Do you know how much a melon costs in my home country?
> Colleague: I do not know.
> Me: Take a guess.
I asked him how to say `take a guess`. He first told me to use `{}`, but later retracted and told me to use ``. Which one is more natural in day to day conversation? | I think is more natural than in daily conversations. Maybe you could also say '()' or '()'. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "word choice, nuances"
} |
"Rather than"-construction
I found these two sentences which seem to me to be quite similar in the translation but are constructed in a different way:
> 1. ****
> 'I rather starve than eat fish.'
>
> 2. ****
> 'To die is better than to be in shame.'
>
>
Can anybody explain about the difference? Sorry, my English isn't that good; maybe the translation of the sentences is bit poor. | is usually used to mean "preferable" in the "less bad" sense, i.e. you're choosing the lesser of two evils. reinforces this point, i.e.
> If I had to go as far as eating fish, starving would be less bad.
can come after nouns as well, but with this specific nuance, it is not often used after nouns. So we could say
> Dying is preferable to facing disgrace
However, if we're using the noun , it would be more natural to rephrase to (or )
> Death is preferable to disgrace
By the way, your example sentence is comparing a noun to a verb, and . While maybe not exactly wrong, I feel rewriting to the noun sounds better.
Beware that can also be used in the opposite sense, to reinforce that something is easy or small (like "only"). In this sense, it's used after nouns as well
> I don't mind waiting (if it's only) for a bit
> If it's only 5 cakes, I can eat them | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
What is the difference between あるまい and ありません？
From what I understand, they both mean "is not". But from what I've been able to gather from the few times I've heard it, it seems that may not be as strong or definitive as . Am I on the right track here? Also, can be used with any verb ex: or just with ? | * `` expresses negation in polite form.
* `` expresses a guess or intentional future, both in negation. So its entailment is weaker than ``, but implies willingness. A close counterpart in English is `shall not` as opposed to `will not`. `` can be used with other verbs as well.
>
> 'I will not drink liquor any more.' (polite)
>
>
> 'I shall not drink liquor any more.' (guess)
> 'I shall not drink liquor any more.' (declaration) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 13,
"question_score": 13,
"tags": "grammar, particles, verbs"
} |
Using げ to turn adjectives and nouns into adverbs
>
Is this a simple way to turn adjectives and nouns into adverbs? (are the first two examples nouns turned into adverbs, or were they adjectives as well to begin with?) | , although usually written with hiragana, can also be written as , and means something like "have an air of...". These can be used as na-adjectives:
> an attitude with an air of boastfulness
> speak with an air of (over-)confidence
> a face with an air of sadness
Some can also be used as nouns, but beware, not all of the ones that can be used as na-adjectives are used as nouns. The nouns are most commonly used with (but other uses also occur).
> {}() immature (no air of matureness)
> () impertinent (lit. no air of cuteness) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
When would you use 新{あら}たな and 新{あたら}しい
To say `new`, the first way that I learned is to use the i-adjective ``. But I noticed that the na-adjective `` is used a lot in written texts. Is there any difference in when either is used? | `` is a famous example of metathesis. Originally, it was `[]{}`. Over the time, the positions of `` and `` have switched, and the new form `[]{}` was created, which evolved into today's standard form ``, and today, the old form is preserved only as the na-adjective ``. Na-adjectives are often used to incorporate Chinese words, and those words generally have a formal impression as opposed to i-adjectives, which are well familiarized words. `` is no exception. It is used in formal contexts or when you want to have some literary effect. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 30,
"question_score": 26,
"tags": "word choice, adjectives, i adjectives, na adjectives"
} |
What is the etymology of the word しょーむない?
> (T^T) Sorry for the boring update
From my understanding, means something along the lines of and . Where does it originate from and is it specific to a certain dialect? | There's a couple of similar expressions with overlapping meanings here, so I'll elaborate on @sawa's answer to add some color.
is probably a cute slangy way to say , which is a common contraction of , which means "silly" or "useless". This is mainly used in western dialects, and the standard would be (often contracted to ) or .
, however, also has the meaning "there's nothing we (you, I etc) can do about it", similar to . In western dialects, this might be expressed as , and I'm actually not sure which one of the above this is a contraction of.
There is also an expression () which does _not_ have a particularly dialectal feel to it, and can mean both "silly"/"useless" or "there's nothing we can do about it".
Finally, there is no , since the requires the , but is common as well. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "words, kansai ben"
} |
Terms for Japanese/Western name order
Does anybody know of a standard term to describe Japanese and Western name orders (for example, when filling a form):
> John Somelastname ← "Western name order"
>
> Somelastname John ← "Japanese name order"
Short of an exact term for each form, what construct would you use if you had to tell somebody to use one instead of the other? or tell someone which one is which, in a document where both would be present.
To clarify: I am not asking how to say "write first name, followed by last name" or some such step-by-step instruction, but a self-contained descriptive term for the forms themselves. | What about:
>
>
>
from the Wikipedia page | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "words, names"
} |
What are these forms: かけちゃお, つないじゃお?
I'm trying to understand the lyrics of a closing song of .
First verse is simple, but the second stopped me:
What happened to arms and legs? | They're contracted from and , which are colloquial versions of {} and {}, "let's run" and "lets connect", in this case , "hold hands"
The auxiliary verb usually means "do something accidentally", but in this case in the volitional form, it's used to express carefreeness.
> Let's hold hands (and not care about the consequences)
A similar use is in the imperative
> Do it (and worry later)! | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 18,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "colloquial language, song lyrics, contractions"
} |
Correct word for "indeed"
What is the correct translation for "indeed"? I found {} and {}.
If both are correct, what is the difference? | * When you want to tell that you have a clear idea to agree with the proposition in question, then use :
>
* When you assume (often falsely) that the origin of the idea is the second person, and you agree with it, use :
>
* When you want to temporarily accept an idea and continue with a statement pointing to the opposite direction, you can use the ones above:
>
>
* When you want to exemplify, or formally prove an abstract statement, use . Unlike or , the first person is the one who is showing it to the second person.
>
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "usage, translation"
} |
Difference between 「来ませんでした」and「来なかったです」
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Is equally correct as ?
Both have the same meaning ("did not come") and according to my Japanese co-workers both are acceptable while they can't define the difference.
What is the (possibly obscure) difference in meaning between these two sentences? | Not exactly the same question, but the answer applies as well:
Is equally correct as ? | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "politeness, syntax"
} |
たり sentence without the final たり
I just read a sentence in an answer key as follows:
>
I would have thought that the sentence should be:
>
Is there any difference between the two? Is it alway ok to not finish off with ? Although it changes the meaning of the sentence, would it also have been ok to finish off with just ? | If you are around friends... I have the feeling they wouldn't mind if you left off the bookish-sounding grammatically correct ending of (something like your second example sentence.)
However, your first sentence's meaning almost sounds like this (to me):
If it rains, I plan on going shopping and eating good things.
The second sentence's meaning sounds like this (to me):
If it rains, I plan on going shopping and eating good things.
If you want to keep the context all in check, it's a good idea to end the pattern with , here, though young people probably won't care... and you might find yourself in informal conversations where people break all sorts of grammatical rules. :) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
What is なのは used in this sentence?
What is the used in " ".
I know is a na-adjective but i don't understand the use of . | `` is a noun with general reference. The na-adjective attributively modifies it. `` is the topic marker. So you get `` "as for the thing that is popular". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "formal nouns, na adjectives"
} |
Comment dire "dossard" en japonais?
Un dossard est un morceau de tissu qui identifie les sportifs dans un marathon:
!dossard
Comment dire ça en japonais ?
* * *
dossard
In Japanese, is there an equivalent for the French word dossard? | I don't know French and am guessing from the result of what English websites say about it. If my understanding is correct, the Japanese counterpart is . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation"
} |
How is "rack" (as in billiards or pool) expressed?
In pool/billiards, "to rack" means to set up the game by placing the balls into the triangle frame. What is the corresponding (technical) term in Japanese if any?
I came up (via circumlocution) with:
>
Is there a better way to express this? Alternatively I suppose and its synonyms would work to describe "preparing the game for play". But it's not specific to pool/billiards. | Wiki says it is usually expressed like .
See also: () | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "words"
} |
How to write "eastern Tokyo" (or "northern Hokkaido")
While chatting with a friend about meeting up in eastern Tokyo, I typed in and my Mac dutifully sent out the wire. I quickly clarified with just so she wouldn't think I had made a weird typo or something.
But is actually the correct way to write "eastern Tokyo," or is there a less ambiguous way to do so? Is there a uniform way to refer to directions inside of place names which feature directional kanji - could the same rule apply to "northern Hokkaido" and so on? | These should work:
* eastern Tokyo: () or (like you mentioned)
* northern Hokkaido: () or {} (and some people might even use
## Notes:
* The neat thing about Hokkaido terms is that one can often cut the name down to:
> ** (something)** if the context is fairly clear that one is talking about Hokkaido.
>
>
> For example: {} (someone who grew up in Hokkaido.)
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "kanji, direction"
} |
What does the うち in ならないうちに mean?
>
>
> There is a tendency for Japanese to want to know a certain amount of personal information about someone such as age, position and whether they are married or not, before they feel comfortable talking with a stranger.
In this example, what does the in mean?
On a side note, I sometimes notice that Japanese punctuation differs from English usage. Why would the writer put a comma after ? | means "inside," "between," "while." In this example, it is about the temporal span. As `` suggests, it is assumed that at some temporal point, the person will become relaxed (``). Until then, there is a time span, and that time span corresponds to `` "within the temporal span where one has not become relaxed."
About the punctuation in Japanese, it is true that a standard has not yet settled, and where to put them largely depends on the person, but in this case, the writer put the punctuation to disambiguate the sentence. Without it, there are at least two possibilities as for the modifee of ``. That is `` or `...`. By putting the punctuation, you can tell that `...` is a unit to which `` attaches and modify, which would mean that `` is modifying `` rather than ``. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "grammar, punctuation"
} |
Origin of onsen term "wani"
Why was "wani" (crocodile or alligator) chosen as a term for a gawker at a konyoku (mixed gender onsen)?
Was it because of the animal's ability to stare, the fact that it is a predator, or was it named after a similarly named onsen? | I think that modern common sense would assume that men at kon'yoku who wait for women to come would be similar to the crocodile who quietly waits for their prey. However, while easily understandable, think that is folk etymology.
The term is used outside of hot springs as well. Also, you need to remember that crocodiles originally did not originally habitat Japan. The term wani originally referred to another creature, generally thought to be a type of shark.
Early citations for this usage may be found from the early 18th century. It seems that it is an analogy to these ferocious shark predators. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "etymology, colloquial language"
} |
the meaning of word 'yoko'
I really like how the word "yoko" is pronounced, and I'll like to use it in my bussiness. I think that my bussiness will be named "yoko garage".
Do you know what yoko means? Does it have any bad or good meanings/concepts related to it? | Yoko () is a fairly generic term meaning "side".
However, there are some less common, negative meanings associated with this word meaning "wrong", "invalid", "illogical", and "disorder". It also has a sense in which a prostitute to leave a client in secret to meet another man ("yoko ni iku"). And of course there are negative terms derived from this as well such as yokoshima meaning "evil" or "wicked". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "meaning"
} |
Does contraction and elision affect formation of relative clauses?
For example, can modify to form and I know that the adjective ending can simply have a noun appended after it.
However when it's contracted to can I simply add a noun after it and pretend that the ending still exists even though it has been contracted and elided? Will it still maintain the meaning of "(The) time where you must act" or will be forced to take on the meaning of "unless" as in a similar manner reflected in the answer to Difference between ~ and ~? | Both and are colloquial contractions of "If does not do".
All of the above 3 can be short for / "have to do" when used sentence-finally, but not when used in an appositive/relative clause.
> ×
> ×
There are cases where and happen to be followed by a noun, but in these cases they're conditional clauses, not appositive/relative clauses. I.e. they're versions of , but **not** /.
> If you don't do it, it's a loss.
As a final FYI, in slang/colloquial speak, you sometimes hear / shortened to in clause-final positions, expecially when combined with clause-ending or sentence-ending particles
> ? You should go already
> ? We have to go so... let's get out of here! | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, syntax, contractions, relative clauses, ellipsis"
} |
Etymology of とんでもない
Where did `` (meaning "not at all" or "outrageous!") come from?
Could it be ``? ("will not even jump/fly" in a similar way how "When pigs fly" is considered a remark for something outrageous?)
Or is there a more complete sentence from which `` was taken out? | Rough extraction/translation from <
Originally from {}, {} meaning "way", "road", "path". Combined with adjective {}, this becomes {} "off the path". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "words, etymology"
} |
What is the first meaning of たたき台?
means a springboard for discussion.
According to my dictionary, this word's first meaning is "chopping block".
On Google Images, it does not look like the plastic/wood board I use to cut meat/vegetables:
!enter image description here
So what is the non-abstract meaning of ?
ALC does not have it. | There are a lot of meanings related to (as noted by the comments and posts above.)
In one case (from your picture posted above,) actually means something like **"a pounding stand"** for baseball gloves. (Along with a , there is also another tool used when pounding baseball gloves like this, called a ; the actual glove-hitting tool.)
When you buy a typical baseball glove, it is usually made out of some sort of leather. Leather usually requires some sort of maintenance from time to time (and especially before a glove, in this case, is first used.)
One type of glove maintenance is the art of _"creating a pocket"_ so that a baseball fielder can more-easily catch a fly-ball... or field a ground ball... during a game of baseball.
The following (commercial) website describes what the process of _"creating a pocket" can_ look like:
< **_(see step 7)_** | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "words"
} |
1カ所: いっかしょ or いちかしょ?
What is the correct pronunciation for `1` ?
It means: 1 place
Context:
> 1
It is defined as a utility function, but only called in one place. | It is pronounced ikkasho (). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "pronunciation, counters"
} |
Does さえ mean "even" in the following sentence?
I encountered the following in our daily reading.
> {}{} ****
>
> In a business, a person was so busy that he forgot to eat lunch **even** lunch. (Not sure if translation is correct.)
From what my friend explained, the means "even" or similar to . Using a similar sentence he explained that was only.
> ****
>
> _Even_ if I have I only have sake, I am happy.
How is used? I think it is synonymous with . | `` is similar to `` for many cases. It means "even".
> 1 ** 2**3
>
> * Even(1) for any enterprise in its establishment period all the workers are so busy in full operation to the extent(3) that they will forget even(2) to have lunch.
>
However there is a special thing that `` does when used with a conditional clause. When in a conditional clause it expresses "If only", "as long as".
> ****
>
> * If only I have _sake_ , I am happy.
>
> * As long as I have _sake_ , I am happy.
>
>
>
> Do note that with a conditional clause happens most with -conditional, and less frequently with -conditional and -conditional, and never with -conditional. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "meaning, particle さえ"
} |
一ヵ条: いちっかじょう? いちかじょう? いっかじょう?
This recent question brought to mind a question of my own.
The Japanese name for the Twenty-One Demands made by Japan in 1915 to the Republic of China is romanised on the wikipedia page as ( _Taika Nijūichikkajō Yōkyū_ ).
How is the combination meant to be pronounced? If the wikipedia page is correct, what explains the gemination between and ? | Same as in the previous answer, but this time with a different counter: ikkajō. This one is well known and should be searchable in a number of history books. Or you could try a dictionary as well: < | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "pronunciation, counters"
} |
What is the meaning of なす? Specifically when preceded by a color
I came across this phrase in a book:
>
Obviously (and also confirmed by Weblio) it is describing a quality of the peninsula, but I'm curious as to what exactly it means, and how/when it can be used.
I found a forum discussion on its use as compared to ``, but it doesn't seem to me to be used in the same way as where I found it. (It generally concluded that is was a transitive version of ``...which I can't say is wrong, but I don't think I really understood what they were trying to say, and I think it requires a particle {``?} in order to be used like that.) | In this case, appears to translate to something like "made" or "like" (as in, "made-green" or "like-green" in regards to the growth of foliage.) can also relate to one having glossy, dark hair.
But I would suggest that preceded with a color does not always equate to this type of usage. seems to be special as it relates to natural colors or foliage (see second definition on this dictionary entry.)
In regard to the actual use of here, it may historically be a remnant from poetic usage. See this possible explanation (No.640) for more information (though this is only, evidently, speculation.)
Although it's not preceded by a color, this possible explanation cites a use of in a particular poetic verse by {} (reference):
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar, usage"
} |
I have no idea what my old shirt says. Can anyone help?
I have owned this old RVCA shirt for nearly a decade. I have never had any clue what it means, though I suspect it is offensive or awkward (as that is what I would put on a shirt if I knew an ignorant teen was going to purchase it). Any genuine help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
!enter image description here | Since they are clipped, I can only guess.
* The First line is probably ``, with the first character clipped. Means "at Shibuya Doogenzaka". It's a place known for young people gathering.
* The second line is clipped, and I can only reconstruct `` part. I don't know what was clipped off on the left side. On the right side, `` is probably clipped. It means "finding pleasure of ..." (... part is clipped).
* There is something between V and C, but I cannot tell. The three characters I can recognize are ``, ``, and ``. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation"
} |
Could anyone confirm my poor translation of these few sentences?
For my first question I would like some help on the following message I received(the sentences are relatively simple since my Japanese skills are quite low). But before starting I would like to say that this is the answer I got from a Japanese school to who I was asking a way of contacting an old friend of mine.
> Dear Ephismen,
>
> Person Ephismen Person
Here is the interpretation I made of it:
> Hello. Are you fine? Thank you for your e-mail. Here everyone is ok. Mr. Person does not study with us anymore, moreover the information you are asking are confidential, however we could transmit your informations to him. Would you like us to send this mail to him?
As I said before this is an interpretation and not a translation.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cordially, Ephismen. | > Hello. Are you fine? Thank you for your e-mail. Here everyone is ok. Since Person's contact information is private information, we cannot tell you that, but we can e-mail Ephismen's contact information (to Person). Shall we e-mail to Person?
You got the message correctly overall (except that it does not explicitly say Person does not study there anymore, but probably that is the case). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation"
} |
Does 諸元{しょげん} mean "Specification" or "Various"?
I am trying to name a library on a group of forms. The specification names the group .
I tried to search and the dictionary says it means "various factors or elements".
But on other examples is says means specification sheet.
Any ideas what means? | Naming a library for something related to computer programming?
According to Weblio, yes, can be used for "spec" (as in a language specification, etc.)
In other cases, can be used about data for a particular item (the various parts or factors that make up an item, for example.)
As you know, words can have various meanings depending on the context; and it doesn't hurt to check. :) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "meaning"
} |
relative clauses without verbs
I read a sentence in Naruto that challenged some of my ideas about how Japanese works, and I'd like to try and clear this up. I can only assume that means "when you're in a pinch". !naruto #52
First of all, it looks like a relative clause modifying , but why isn't there a verb? Usually, when something is marked with , that thing is the subject (or something) of a particular verb. Here, there's a verbless subject. Is the copula implied?
Secondly, could you say instead? How is used in relative clauses? | The most straightforward way to analyze this is to regard as a {} form of copula, which only comes after nouns (and -adjectives).
> you're in a pinch
> when you're in a pinch
>
> tomorrow it will rain
> if it rains tomorrow | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "relative clauses"
} |
Which ところ is this?
I had my sentence of `` ("Today I will read the warning in my friend's car and try to do a Japanese to English translation of it") corrected to become:
> **** .
Specifically, I am unable to understand this portion: ``.
These are the only forms I know:
* Verb - is just about to do [verb]
* Verb - in the midst of doing [verb]
* Verb-Past - had just done [verb]
* Verb - has been doing [verb]
* Event - in the midst of [Event]
`` does not fall within the above analyses. It is a noun modified by a relative clause. What does `` do in this case? | I am not sure if the person that corrected your sentence understands Japanese enough, or understands your intention. Your original sentence means:
> Today, I will read a warning in my friend's car, and do a Japanese to English translation (of it).
The modified sentence means:
> Today, I will do a Japanese to English translation of the portion/chapter/section/etc. titled "warning" that I read inside my friend's car.
A natural translation for `` in this case is "portion" (some place within a text). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
What exactly does この通{とお}りmean?
I know that can mean "Exactly" or "That's right". But I was watching an anime (Samurai 7) and heard one of the characters say "" and something else right afterwards which I didn't catch.
For context, the scene was the governor of the city asking for forgiveness from some samurai who had been wronged by his predecessor. After he admitted that the samurai had been wronged. He prostrated himself and said, " (and something else)". The subtitles translated to: "I beg of you. Please forgive me." | It means "just like this", "just as you see". Probably the governor was bowing or something to show the act of begging, and wanted to show how serious he/she was. The nuance would be something like "Please look at me. I am begging seriously just like this." | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 13,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "expressions"
} |
What counter words are used by animals for humans?
In _Happy Feet 2_ , I noticed that the penguins used the hitori, futari, ... counter words for themselves, rather than .
In fiction involving talking animals where the humans are regarded as somewhat "outsider", what counter word do they use for humans? Do they still use hitori, futari, ..., or would they use something else such as (if a penguin were speaking) or (if a shark was)? | Any movie will still use , etc. Why? Because anything with human-like traits (including humans) will use etc. However, there is an exception, for example in a movie where humans are the "prey", will be used, because in those situations you are starting to treat humans like other animals (!) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 14,
"tags": "counters"
} |
What is the proper term for the use of archaic kanji?
I noticed that in various works of Japanese art, the artists sign their work with a seal whose contents range from fairly regular kanji to very abstract variations of kanji. I have also seen it used in calligraphy, as shown in the example below.
I heard that this is called "seal script", but no one has been able to point me to any more information on it beyond Wikipedia. Is there a name for this form of writing and better resources for learning about it?
!Photograph of a piece of Japanese artwork with calligraphy in an unknown script. | The kanji script that you see in the first (rightmost) line of your picture, as well as in the seal at the bottom left is called . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "kanji, orthography, archaic language, calligraphy"
} |
This use より baffles me
From the anime Noir, Episode 2.
> Context: The husband comes home and his wife and son greet him outside.
> Wife:
> Husband:
The wife's line, I get. The husband's line.....(????). Is he saying that "from thinking, my job is finished."...? I really don't understand what role is playing in the sentence. Or even what it means. | I think it means:
> "Yeah, I finish(ed) [work/my job/the job] earlier than (I) expected."
` **** ` = "earli **er than** one expected" or " **more** early **than** one expected"
See also `` at Space ALC for more examples. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 13,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "grammar, usage, translation, particles"
} |
grammar in a specific sentence
With the following sentence:
> **** ** __**
* Does `` modify ``?
* Does it make sense?
* Is `` the object of the verb ``?
* What does `` mean? | (1) Does modify ?
Yes.
(2) Does it make sense?
Yes.
(3) Is the object of the verb ?
Yes.
(4) What does mean?
'As of', 'for', 'claiming that'. I.e., 'arrested for throwing ...'
Translation is:
> **Claiming him to have** thrown a polyethylene bag containing his own saliva to the back of a female high school student, Tanashi police station of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested the suspect , temporary technician and **resident of** , **by** the sixth day **for** the suspicion of assault. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
男が空き缶などに入れた唾液を女子高生の制服や頭に直接かける
With the following sentence:
>
* Does `` modify ``?
* Does it mean `` was put in an empty can? | (1) Does modify ?
Yes.
(2) Does it mean was put in an empty can?
No. It means "spit that was put in an empty can". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": -1,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
Passive verb forms for intransitive verbs
Okay, so I'm confused about passive verbs.
From how I understand it, the verb is performed on the subject.
but how come you can say something like
Are you going to tomorrow's meeting?
why not something along the lines of:
so as far as I can tell, "go" () is not performed on the subject, you (implied).
Could someone explain how this works in this sentence? | Are you going to tomorrow's meeting?
The above sentence should not be interpreted as passive, it is . In other words depending on context, the forms etc. can mean either passive or honorific form (usually it is easy to tell the difference by the context). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "verbs, passive voice"
} |
How best to translate 左右対称 in this context?
For example:
A person's face is asymmetrical.
The above is simple, but how about:
"The shape of the Kanji character is symmetrical."
The problem I have with the above sentence is "symmetrical" and "" have different meanings, "symmetrical" is similar to "proportional" whereas "" has the meaning that if you "flip it over" the shape doesn't change (i.e., etc.). I was thinking "mirror-image", but usually you are contrasting one thing to another.
Any suggestions on how to express the meaning in English correctly in the above sentence? | Isn't this a question for English Language & Usage rather than Japanese, since you are clear on the Japanese meaning and looking for a way to express it in English...? I hate constantly seeing questions closed here though...
...In any case I disagree that "symmetrical" is closer to "proportional" than "if you flip it over the shape doesn't change". Symmetry is the precise technical term for the latter concept -- there is no more fitting word. To be more descriptive, you could say they have "vertical symmetry", or less ambiguously, "left-right symmetry".
See the Wikipedia article on symmetry. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "translation"
} |
Is there a general/default word for "to wear"?
I've been introduced to (for things you put on like a shirt) and (for things you put on like pants) in class, but is there a general way to just say something like `wear clothes`? Or must the "method" of putting on be specified? | Yes, there is a general word:
>
So, you can say:
>
>
>
However, in daily conversation it is more common to say `` or ``. Also, `` can mean something different like ``.
Or, after rereading your question, it looks like you don't want to specify what you are wearing. In that case, the other answer is correct. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "translation, verbs, word requests"
} |
With MS IME, how do I type パーティー?
With MS IME, how do I type ? I can't seem to get the tiny . I am typing pa-tei- and getting . | For something like , just type it like this: `pa-thi-`. The " **thi** " will create a ``.
However, if only one letter needs to be small, that can be done by typing: `x + letter`
(or `l + letter` on some versions.)
> For example:
>
> : x + a
> : x + i
> : x + u
> : x + e
> : x + o
>
For further reference:
1. 12 Japanese IME Tips
2. Romanization of Japanese | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "input method"
} |
What does "さ" means in 探偵さ?
I watch an animation called Detective Conan, which is about a detective. I read translations, but try to listen in Japanese. Sometimes, when he is asked "who are you?", the main character answers by saying "" (or is it ""?).
In this case, what does means?
Thank you for your explanations. | This is similar to in meaning, but it is less assertive. Unlike , it attaches not only to nouns and the stem of na-adjectives but also to the dictionary form of verbs and i-adjectives. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "meaning"
} |
Just so you know
I'm looking for a good way to tell someone that I want to inform them of something, but I don't actually need them to do anything for me. Something like "Just so you know, the printer is broken." As in, I'm not personally affected, but I thought the person in charge would want to be told. If I just say that it's broken, it sounds like a request to fix it so I can use it. I'm looking for the part that tells them not to worry about me personally.
Some searching turned up "" but based on the example sentences here, I'm not sure it means quite the same thing. Can anyone suggest an expression? Thanks. | I think you probably can say
"[]{}()(or []{})[]{}[]{}/[]{}"
"()(or )/"(polite)
"()(or )[]{}"
"()(or )(polite)"
or maybe more casually
"()(~~)/"
"()(~~)/" | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "translation, phrase requests"
} |
How do you emphasize a word similar to using "The" in English
I know that there is no "The" particle in Japanese. But I am curious if there is a proper way to emphasize a topic the same way you do with "The" in English.
For example:
> He's "the man".
>
> So you meet the "president"!?!
>
> "The 2011" world champion?
Would translate to "!" as in ""? How do you emphasize it in Japanese?
On the other hand how about translating book titles with "The" would be a different question too. | Maybe `{}` "the real deal..."?
> * ****
> He's a _fair dinkum_ man.
> (might even be able to use `{}` in place of ``.)
>
> * ****
> You want to meet with the _actual_ president?
>
> * **** 2011
> The _real deal_ 2011 champion?
>
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "particles"
} |
ホワイトデー: use ハッピー or おめでとう?
When wishing a woman a happy White Day, would I say , or , or are both ok? If both forms are used, do they have a slightly different nuance, such as "have fun on White Day today [said to a platonic friend]" versus "I in particular am wishing you a happy White Day [said to someone special]"? | I agree to the comments by oldergod and sawa: we do not usually greet in a special way on White Day (or on Valentine’s Day for that matter).
Although I think that it is uncommon, some people say and (even rarer) . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "word choice, phrase requests"
} |
Does the verb 死ぬ has a 死ぬる form?
I have come across a conjugation of verb which I've never heard before. It is , I have heard it in a TV show, you can see the relevant part in this video.
Is this a depreciated form? If so, what meaning does it have? Can you use it in an example sentence?
Or is it just a made up conjugation for making rhyme in the poem? | In classical Japanese, is an irregular verb (). Its principal parts are as follows:
* Irrealis ():
* Continuative ():
* Predicative ():
* Attributive ():
* Realis ():
* Imperative ():
The difference between the predicative and attributive forms is roughly analogous to the difference between and for the adjectivial nouns in modern Japanese. Here is an example of as used in classical Japanese:
>
>
> The face of a dying child is always beautiful. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 13,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "verbs, conjugations, classical japanese"
} |
The different types of pain and injuries
I'm lacking a range of vocabulary that allows me to express different kinds of pain. And since I'm on this theme I might as well included injuries in this question. It seems that everything can be contained in `` and `` but I would like to be more specific.
I shall list down the different types of injury and its corresponding pain (Not the instantaneous pain felt at the moment of injury, but the pain that persists afterwards) that I think deserve a different description because they just feel too different from each other:
1. Bruise; aching, tender(pain upon pressure)
2. Cut/Gash; sharp pain, prickly sensation
3. Abrasion; tingling/prickly sensation
4. Muscle strain; dull and sore aching (Like after rigorous exercise the muscle feels sore)
5. (For various injuries); Throbbing pain
What are their Japanese counterparts? | > Bruise; aching, tender(pain upon pressure) → (?)
>
> Cut/Gash; sharp pain, prickly sensation → (cut, gash), {}{} (to sting, prickle, burn -- either a wound, or can be used to describe the feeling of eating hot/spicy foods)
>
> Abrasion; tingling/prickly sensation →
>
> Muscle strain; dull and sore aching (Like after rigorous exercise the muscle feels sore) →
>
> (For various injuries); Throbbing pain → {} | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "word choice, words"
} |
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