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How do you say multiples of some number?
On a specification about a data. The valid value must be multiples of 10 (10, 20, 30, ...)
How do you state that in Japanese. I saw on a document that it is written as
> X10,20,3010
Is there other way to state this in Japanese? | I think you can try using `` | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "grammar, numbers"
} |
What is the difference between ่จๆถใใใใใ and ๆใใใใใๅบใใงใ?
Is there any difference between the meanings or connotations of and ?
I started thinking about this after listening to the song or "Time Machine" by , where these two lines occur near the end of the song:
> โฆ
>
> โฆ
Is there any meaning behind using both of these instead of just being consistent and using one? | * is a neutral term for memory. It can be of any while ago, from sub-mili-seconds or shorter to milleniums or longer. It can be used for physical effects like hysteresis effects or memory on an electronic device. It can be used for humans as well.
* is subjective. It implies nostalgia, good memories or bad memories. The past it is referring to is usually between a few days to a lifespan of time ago. The subject of it is usually humans. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 23,
"question_score": 14,
"tags": "word choice, usage, nuances, words"
} |
Meaning of ็้, how it is different from ้
`[]{}[]{}` (not `[]{}[]{}`, which is an interjection standardly used) is another , or an expression that is used mainly by young generation (with low education level) that makes me feel uncomfortable.
`` is a polarity notion; Something can be either the original (``), or the opposite (``). There is no intermediate values like "half-way opposite", hence no room for quantitative/qualitative notions like genuine (``) or fake/quasi (``) to come into play. I have no idea what meaning `` is adding to ``. How is `` different from ``? How would you justify the addition of `` to ``? | `` seems very similar to the expression "total opposite" in English.
I think we can take `` here to be an intensifier/emphasis rather than something that affects the meaning. It emphasizes that something is not just ``, but in fact ``.
I'd even say that not even `` requires you to be absolutely precise. Let's say someone wanted to head east (0ยฐ). West (180ยฐ) would be ``. If you saw them going in essentially entirely the wrong direction -- almost due west -- you might want to use `` to emphasize how badly they're going wrong, **even if** their true course isn't **exactly** 180ยฐ.
It's an abuse of terminology, technically, but I think this is how the language is used. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "words, slang"
} |
What is the difference between ใใใใ and ใใใใ
Both mean 'various, all sorts of', but is there some subtle difference or not? | There are some grammatical differences. can be used as a na-adjective, but is used only as a noun. So we say but . (We can also say , but it is less common than .) In addition, can be used also as an adverb.
Other than these grammatical differences, sounds more formal than to me when used in contexts other than fixed phrases such as . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "usage, words"
} |
When is ็ตใใ used as a transitive verb?
On Are and synonyms?, there were some questions whether `` is used as a transitive verb.
Space ALC seems to have a few results for ``, but far more for `` and ``. Looking at sense 4 of the Daijisen definition, it does seem `` can be used as a transitive verb:
> โ
**My question:** How often is `` used as a transitive verb and when is it used in such a way compared to `` and ``? | is used both as a transitive verb and an intransitive verb, whereas is used only as a transitive verb. When is used as a transitive verb, it is almost synonymous to . The only exception I can think of is that a closing word of a speech or other verbal communication is usually โฆ instead of โฆ. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 15,
"tags": "verbs, transitivity"
} |
Why is English "ka" and "ca" sometimes rendered as ใญใฃ (kya) instead of ใซ (ka)?
I _sometimes_ see that English _ka_ and _ca_ are rendered ( _kya_ ) instead of ( _ka_ ). Why is this?
Do English _ka_ and _ca_ really sound more like _kya_ than _ka_ , at least to Japanese listeners? (I know it doesn't to me.) | In reference to Sawa's request for an example, is a case of being used to transcribe English _ca_.
I asked my Japanese teacher exactly this question many years ago. The reply was that the vowel in English _candy_ is higher (in phonetic terms) than the low front vowel in RP English _cast_. The fact that is palatalised raises the vowel and makes it sound more like it does in English.
EDIT: Other examples of this effect, for reference, include , , and others.
It's also interesting that this only happens to velars (, ), so we don't have, for instance, for 'man'. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 20,
"question_score": 22,
"tags": "kana, phonology, kana usage, rลmaji"
} |
Is ใปใใฎไธ็ฌใใใฃใใ
ใใใ ใ redundant?
When using the phrase ``, I somehow feel compelled to insert `` afterwards. This seems to be somewhat common (over one million hits for `""` on Google), but does it seem silly in terms of redundancy? Since `` and `` seem to have the same meaning, I'm not sure if I should actually say ``, despite the Google results. | Yes it might be redundant and ungrammatical, but I think I say and write that way quite often... I think I also use and but I think I tend to use when I want to emphasize 'only'. I think it's similar to /, which seem also redundant but I use quite often... so maybe these expressions are rather casual and colloquial. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "usage, expressions"
} |
How to "shoo away" a sales clerk?
When I go window shopping, the sales clerk would usually come near me asking what I like. How should I politely shoo them away? Can I simply say
>
or something like
>
I know I can just ignore them and they get the body language that I just want to look by my own. What is the common way to say it?
I usually feel awkward especially in electronic shops like yodobashi or yamada. For bookshops, they just leave you alone. I guess electronic shops' clerks are agressive.
By the way, as a side question. Is there a word for "shoo" in Japanese? I know Japanese are polite but do they have it? | When the clerk asks me if I'm looking for anything particular (`?`), I usually say `` or ``.
When the clerk says at places like boutiques ``(Please try them on) or `/`(We have different sizes/colours too), I say quite shortly `` or ``.
"to shoo away" = []{}[]{}...? | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 19,
"question_score": 20,
"tags": "nuances"
} |
How to say two actions are the cause of a third?
I want to say I did something because of more than one reason. For example:
> I stayed home so I could study AND feed the dog.
I'm not sure how to name the reasons in Japanese. How I'm trying to say it:
> Benkyoushite inu ni esa o yate kara ie ni imashita.
Is it right? Is there a better way to say it? | * When you want to express a purpose for doing something, you can use ``. You used `kara`, and that is completely wrong. Accordingly, you shouldn't need the `` form for ``, but you seem to be having it: you have `yate`, and this conjugation is wrong anyway. If you wanted the `` form of ``, it is not `yate` but is `yatte`.
* When you want to connect predicates in Japanese, there is not counterpart to the English `and` in Japanese, so you would rather have to use the counterpart to the English participial construction in Japanese, that is `......`. You seem to be understanding that correctly.
You should have:
>
Notice that this implies temporal order, that is, you first study, and then feed the dog. If you do not want to imply this, then you should use the construction that istrasci comments below. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
When to use ๆฉ้ใงใใ
I usually hear used as a phrase in the office. After looking on examples in the net, it somehow mean "Well then" in English. Is the phrase just the same as "" or ""?
For example:
>
>
>
>
>
When do you use ? Are there certain instance when you use this phrase? | has a nuance of making an excuse for jumping to the main point directly, where some might expect a bit of smalltalk or an introduction beforehand.
Whereas or are pretty neutral like "Well", would probably be translated like "Let's get right down to business", "Let me get straight to the point" or "Sorry for being a bit rushed". Or sometimes a translation wouldn't be necessary in English.
I do not share sawa's viewpoint that you necessarily use it for things that you have been looking forward to.
>
> (Sorry for jumping straight to the point.) This is a reminder about payment of the membership fee. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "usage, expressions"
} |
What's the difference between differences? ๅทฎ and ้ใ
What's the difference between and ? When would I use each?
Which (if either) would I use for describing the difference between something like sample data and the best fitting equation? | `` simply means "difference". `` means difference in the sense of a margin or gap, and seems to relate to things that are calculable.
> []{} โ Margin of error
> []{} โ Difference in time - ( โ Jet lag)
It seems like you could replace most instances of `` with ``, but not the other way around. `` is definitely more appropriate when talking about sample data, etc.
However, there might be times when the two have distinct meanings. For example, say you have a boy who is 10 years old, and another who is 20. `` would be "10 years", but `` might describe how the characteristics of their ages differs; like "10-year-olds have more energy, but 20-year-olds are smarter." Not sure if this is correct, but seems different to me. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "kanji, word choice"
} |
When is it appropriate to useใใใใใใใพ?
I've seen and []{} used to say "Thank you" after some had done work of some type. After reading the thread, I realize that the two are not interchangeable. So when do you use []{}?
When is it appropriate to use otsukaresama? | ( _First, a note:_ because there is a at the beginning of , that is actually not there. :)
I've most often heard {} used by people older than myself, when I have done something for the person (or in some way have helped the person,) using that phrase. (Besides age, this could also happen in a business situation, where a senior worker is speaking to a junior worker.)
For reference, more information can be found in the following article: . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "usage, nuances, set phrases, greetings"
} |
Are the two kanjis ็ฎๆ and ๅๆ interchangeable?
Our customer uses but my manager uses when emailing project status. Are both kanji interchangeable?
The context of usage in a sentence is:
>
>
> A portion (of the code/software) was changed. | Yes they are interchangeable. They exist in these forms:
*
*
*
* | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "word choice, usage, kanji, homophonic kanji"
} |
What is the meaning of ๏ฝใใพใ?
While playing Final Fantasy 7, I came across the following text, which I think translates to something like:
>
> With these results, you can expect it likely there will also be a paycut!
But I'm wondering, what does the mean in , and similar? Does it add emphasis or change the meaning in any way?
I looked in Daijirin and Daijisen's entry for , but I don't think I saw anything there (unless I'm missing something.) | =/.
It is the imperative form of //(or /), the archaic and honorific () form of []{} "to give".
~~() is ~~()/~~(), is / in modern Japanese. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
How often is ใ ใ used in everyday conversation?
I hear often in anime and is translated as "but". And normally, it's at the beginning of the sentence. But I wonder if it used outside of the TV/movie world. For instance, , I hear very often in anime, but I've been told it's not used in everyday speaking. | Ah, I just noticed we don't use very often in daily conversation. I think we often use in these three patterns (normally in written style):
1. ~~~~(~~. But~~.)
2. ~~~~(Although~~, ~~.)
3. ~~, ~~(~~, ~~ though.)
I personally don't use it when I talk, maybe because it sounds rather masculine I guess. I think older, say middle-aged men (like my dad, my uncle, and my boss) say that sometimes. I think I've heard my dad say "..." while watching TV or reading a newspaper and my boss say to my colleagues "..."
As for , I don't use that either, but I think my boss sometimes calls my colleagues , and I've heard many of my teachers/professors call their students at school/college. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "usage, set phrases"
} |
"10ๅใใฎ" vs "10ๅใฎ"
Good afternoon all,
I understand that "X" means "X times of", however sometimes I see the phrase "X" and I was wondering what it means.
For example, in the sentence:
> 14010
I was wondering what's the function of the "" in "10" ?
Or rather, what's the difference between the above sentence and this sentence (same sentence but omitting the ""):
> 14010 | Try looking at the sentence without that 10 part, first:
140
The sentence seems to be focusing on the following types of cells in the human brain:
`` and ``
But the first type of cell has a numerical amount given: `140`.
When the `10` part is added before ``, it seems to be building off of the numerical amount of the first type of cell (the 140,) and using as a way to say:
> " **as much as** 10 times the amount _(of the previously-written 140 amount)_ "
Basically, without , the sentence might not have the same emphasis (regarding the massive amount of "support nerve cells" in the human brain.) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "grammar, particles, particle ใ"
} |
What are the valid potential forms of special "suru" verbs?
Good afternoon all,
From what I understand, special "suru" verbs only have one potential form which is formed using the syntax:
[verb-stem] + []
For example, โ and โ .
However, A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar claims that " ()" and " ()" conjugates in the same way as "". Snippet:
!enter image description here
By that claim, it seems to mean that the potential form of "" would be " (uh, ?)" and the potential form of "" would be "".
WWWJDIC also has a chart which shows that the potential form of "" is "" and/or "" (link).
So now we have these potential forms:
1. `[verb-stem] + []` (e.g. , , , )
2. `[verb-stem] + []` (e.g. , , , )
3. `[verb-stem] + []` (e.g. , , , )
4. `[verb-stem] + []` (e.g. , , , )
Are all of these 4 conjugations grammatically valid potential forms of special "suru" verbs? | As @fefe mentions, the 4th one is wrong for the examples you mention. I think your grammar book forgot about the potential.
I don't know the detailed etymology, but I guess somehow , , , are more like "proper verbs" (although they inherit most of the irregularities of ), whereas etc. are still more like a compound: noun+, thereby inheriting also the suppleted potential of , . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 17,
"tags": "grammar, verbs"
} |
What's the difference between ใชใใจ and ใฉใ
I'm having a lot of trouble working out the difference between and is "How" e.g. "How do you write this?" and is easy for me to understand. The problem is the dictionaries translate it as "how?" _and_ "what?".
If I want to say "how" when do I use and when do I use and What's the difference between and To put it in context, if it helps, I'm studying JLPT2 but still have problems with this. | can be paraphrased as "in which way", "in what manner". cannot, and it means "as what".
>
> (literally) ' **In what manner** do you say this?'
> 'How do you pronounce this?'
>
>
> (literally) ' **As what** do you say this?'
> 'How do you call this?' | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "questions"
} |
What to call the phenomenon where a rectangle is shown because a font is missing a glyph
Is there a name to describe the situation where a particular character is shown on a computer screen in a particular font, but this font does not have a glyph for this particular character?
Usually, the result looks like this:
A kind of empty rectangle. Sometimes it shows the code for that character within the rectangle.
!tofubake
How do yo call this phenomenon in Japanese?
If there is no name, is there a common term referring to this "missing glyph square" in Japanese?
_(It is not. happens when character encoding meta-information is lost. It is not the problem here. Using a better font solves this phenomenon, but does not solve . Selecting a character encoding solves , but does not solve this phenomenon.)_ | As far as Internet slang goes, the word {} is often used as a term for replacement glyphs because of their rectangular shapes, and []{} or []{} describe the phenomenon in one word.
> *
> *
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 15,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "terminology, computing"
} |
When does a suru-noun require ใ in front of a purposive-ใซ?
According to Chocolate's comment to a question, some suru-nouns can be followed by the purposive `` directly, but others require (the stem of) `` in between.
>
>
>
> ร
Other examples that Chocolate gives are:
> {///////}{/}
> ร {//}{/}
When can a suru-noun be used directly before the purpose- without (the stem of) ``? | I guess, for the words that Chocolate claims that you don't need ``, (I don't necessarily agree with Chocolate's native intuition, but still I can understand the feeling) they are activities that in the default cases, you go somewhere to do it:
> ///////
> sightseeing/appologize/investigate/return/collect/film/report/meet
They are something that you need either an opponent person or an object, and you need to go to that place to do it. On the other hand, the other suru-nouns do not have that nature:
> //
> chat/read/cook
are something you do at a fixed location. Note the difference between , which includes moving of the subject to meet the other person, whereas does not include that meaning. I guess this is the underlying difference that leads to Chocolate's native judgements. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 20,
"tags": "grammar, particles, particle ใซ"
} |
"ใใใ ใ" vs "ใ ใใใ", which is grammatical?
Good afternoon all,
I was wondering when we chain particles, should "" come before "", or should it be the other way round?
For example, I'm expecting a mail from , a mail from , and a mail from (total 3 mails). However only the mail from arrived. Which sentence below should be used to describe the situation? :
1. ()
2. () | I think both and are acceptable. I think would sound more natural though. (You can't say ... or ...)
And and are both fine to me too.
Ah, but just is acceptable and you can't say . (Why? Hmm please someone get me out of here) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 13,
"tags": "grammar, particles"
} |
What's the difference between ใใใ and English's "no"?
In "Japanese for Busy People I" page 2 (kana or romaji edition) it says that is 'virtually the same as "no"'.
It sounds like there are some differences, but they want to omit mentioning them for the time being. What differences are there? | The key to whether to reply with or is not whether the _form_ of the question is positive or negative, but whether the question is asked in a way which expects a positive or a negative answer:
> (expects a positive answer)
>
>
> (expects a negative answer)
>
I guess this response could be regarded as cyclic, since the obvious next question would be when a question expects a positive or a negative answer. Usually positive forms expect positive answers and negative forms expect negative answers. The tricky ones are the simple negative-form+ (without or ), which are often used for invitations, or to ask for agreement. An example of an invitation is given above. Below is an example of asking for agreement.
>
>
Returning to , I would say that in practise, it's mostly used in the sense which gibbon describes. Using it as "No" sounds pretty strong. More often, the main verb/adjective is repeated in positive/negative as needed. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 15,
"tags": "words, translation, meaning"
} |
Do viruses ใใใพใ or ใใพใ?
Do viruses or ?
Currently, I'm under the impression that animals and humans use (though see this question), while plants and inanimate objects use . Do viruses fall under the latter category? | I personally think both existing answers should be sufficient for this question, but since they cannot seem to gather consensus, allow me to give it my own try:
The short answer is that _both_ and forms can be used in a scientific (biological) context. Simple as that.
1. A quick poll of available colleagues gave out that some preferred , some preferred , but neither form was particularly shocking to their ears.
2. Google Scholar gives 16 papers with and 70 with . There is clearly a preference for the latter, but not so significant that the former could be considered improper.
3. There is just no way to derive a logical/grammatical (prescriptivist) rule as to which form should be used, considering there is no universal _biological_ consensus as to whether viruses are "alive" (and even less so as to whether they are "animate" or "inanimate" objects). The best you will ever get is a descriptivist rule based on usage. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 13,
"tags": "verbs"
} |
"ไนใใ" vs "ไนใฃใใ"
Good afternoon all,
I was wondering when someone gives someone a ride (bicycle, car, etc), what's the difference in nuance between using the verb "" and the verb ""?
For example, I was wondering what's the difference in nuance/usage between these two sentences:
1.
2.
And these two sentences:
1.
2. | `` is a colloquial and mascline (rough) way of saying ``. In formal occasions, you should not use ``. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "words, nuances"
} |
Does this convey "It's not surprising that ___"?
I am working on the grammar pattern ``, which is used to indicate that something is not necessary. I.e, "No need to ask" ==> ``.
What I'm caught on is this example sentence:
> ****
It may be a subtle difference, but is this meaning closer to the English "There is no need to be surprised (that she passed the test)" or "It's not surprising (that she passed the test)"?
I ask because the former sounds almost condescending, while the latter seems praising.
I'm sorry if this is too nit-picky, or it's simply a matter of poorly worded study material. | means "it's not surprising that", so your second translation is correct. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar, jlpt"
} |
What's the difference between these two transitive verb forms?
I've always been little fuzzy on transitive verbs, something which I was reminded of when looking at this answer.
The answer says that `{}`, `{}`, `{}`, and `{}` are all transitive. They all mean "to finish" something, as in something doesn't finish by itself (intransitive), someone makes it finish (transitive).
I get the nuance of difference between the kanji ``, `` as explained in the answer.
But what is the difference between `{}` and `{}`? And what is the difference between `{}`, and `{}`?
I'm really asking more generally about the transitive verb form. Both versions of each verb are transitive, but I'm not clear on how they differentiate.
_(My knowledge of grammatical and linguistic terms is very limited, so a minimum of technical terms would be much appreciated.``!)_ | As for and , from my research it looks like the meaning of the two is equivalent.
The in denotes causation, the same as in or .
The in is the old form of , and is still sometimes used (opinion seems divided on where exactly. I would love to know if there's a specific region).
Therefore is now the common usage, where originally it was .
Other examples of the same phenomenon would be and
There is a much more exhaustive discussion in the second source below that you may want to see.
As for and , the meaning is the same, but the causative lends a sense of achievement or overcoming hardship to finish something, whereas seems more incidental.
It's also worth noting that , out of context, has two possible meanings (the one from this discussion, and the meaning of something ending by itself/naturally), whereas has only one meaning and so could be be considered clearer in certain circumstances.
Sources (Japanese): 1, 2, 3 | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 13,
"tags": "grammar, word choice, verbs, causation"
} |
ใใ
ใใจ๏ผใทใฅใผใ - The great equalizer
I was watching the movie Mr. Baseball the other day. Several times during the movie they talk about `` which they describe as "the great equalizer". (Could possibly be ``, but their dialog does not sound like they're elongating the last syllable).
I've tried very unsuccessfully in finding this word in any of my multiple dictionaries. Is this a common, known Japanese word? Is it some kind of ``? Is it just `` of "shoot", or some word from another language? If it's Japanese, does it have associated kanji? | is a baseball term. It seems to me like different people have different terms for this pitch (although I'm no baseball expert).
According to the Wikipedia article (which references Mr. Baseball, incidentally) and its talk page, it's a "shuuto" or "shootball" in English, but some people may recognize and describe it as a "sinker" or "reverse slider". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "words, meaning, loanwords, sports"
} |
Is there a figurative use to ๆฅ้ขจ?
I often hear (or, much less often, ) used to describe the characteristically windy weather of early Spring.
I was also certain I had heard it used on occasions as a _figurative_ expression, to mean something akin to "Spring cleaning" or "Spring renewal".
However, when I look in both bilingual or Japanese dictionaries, I cannot find any such additional definition.
EDICT gives:
> [] (n) spring breeze
>
> [] (n) spring breeze
And Wikipedia:
>
Did I dream this figurative meaning? Is it merely understood and self-explanatory, but not widely accepted as part of the definition? Has anybody ran into a non-meteorological use of the expression? | It might not quite be the same figurative use... but according to goo, (at least when paired with {} [ _peaceful_ or _calm_ ],) can also imply a sort of refreshing calm, peaceful state:
> 1
1 goo dictionary source | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "idioms"
} |
Why is there a ๅ in ่ชๅ?
I didn't find anywhere why is the minute's kanji there in ? Is it because a meaning of is "part". Please clarify. | isn't really the "minute's kanji", although that is one of its meanings. I believe the meaning of "part" came first though, and it is used for "minute" in the sense that a minute is a unit or part of time.
According to this source, the from means the same thing as the from from , representing one's capacity/ability, and historically was used to mean the same as . The earliest recorded usage of the word was in 827AD.
If you do a search for you'll find discussion not of the etymology, but the philosophy of oneself, and how the definition of this varies from person to person. This makes me think it is still regarded with a sense of one's own part, abilities, responsibilities etc in life. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 15,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "usage, kanji, etymology"
} |
Openings and Closings (Salutations and Valedictions) When Writing a Letter/E-mail
This question came to me because I am writing a personal thank-you letter to a friend's family who hosted me in their home over the holidays. What is the proper way to address the entire family? For example, in English, I would use "To the Ito Family". Beyond this, it would be good to compile a list of typical Japanese openings and closings (salutations and valedictions) used in written correspondence. | For letters to a person, affix it with . For Itou family, it would be (). For letters to a company or institution, affix it with . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "word choice, phrase requests"
} |
Understanding the grammar behind ๏ฝใใ in ็ฅใใใ and ใใธใใ etc
I think that means "like I would know!"/"hell, if I know!" and that means something like "[are you/is this] for real?"/"seriously?", but is there an underlying rule behind the pattern seen at the end of sentences?
If I was to, for example, say , what kind of a meaning would it have?
Can also be used as an ordinary question? Does it make a rhetorical question? | `` is a sentence final particle that makes a question, and `` is a sentence final particle that adds the subject's attitude. Ignoring the meaning added by ``, which does not affect the core meaning of the sentence, all of the sentences you have are questions. And in all of your examples, they are rhetorical questions.
>
> literally: 'Do I know/bother about it?'
> 'I don't know/bother about it!'
>
>
> literally: 'Is that serious?'
> 'I can't believe it!'
>
>
> literally: 'Will I eat it?'
> 'I won't eat it!'
>
> !
Note that the addition of `` adds subject's attitude, which makes it difficult to interpret the sentences as literal questions. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "grammar, rhetorical questions"
} |
How to say 'X, let alone Y' in Japanese?
How to say `X, let alone Y` in Japanese?
For example, how would one translate:
> I don't know hiragana, let alone kanji.
>
> He couldn't boil water, let alone prepare a dinner for eight.
>
> I haven't enough time to look in the mirror, let alone go to see you.
Would one use ``? ``? From Yahoo!:
> The baby cannot walk yet, much less run.
>
> I went bird watching, but I could not find even a sparrow, to say nothing of a thrush.
Is that the appropriate grammar pattern? | I think you can use:
> * //
> * ////
> * /
> * or ////
> * or ///[]{}[]{}
>
"I don't know hiragana, let alone kanji":
> * []{}[]{}or / etc.[]{}
> * or / etc.
> * or / etc.
> *
> * or (or /)/
>
"He couldn't boil water, let alone prepare a dinner for eight":
> * []{}[]{}[]{}[]{}[]{}(or / etc.)
> * or / etc.
> *
> * or / etc.
> * or or //()
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 20,
"question_score": 16,
"tags": "grammar, phrase requests"
} |
Transitive verb particles
How do I learn which particles go with which transitive verbs since it is not always
For example:
...is no problem, but...
JDICT says these are all transitive verbs but the last two examples don't take so do you just learn them as exceptions or set phrases? | You are wrong. They do take ``.
>
>
One tricky thing is that, `` is derived from ``, and the reason `` takes `` in the former is not because it is the (underlying) direct object, but because of what is technically called exceptional case marking.
As for how to learn them, that is too vague a question here.
* * *
**An ironical question**
How do I learn which particles go with which phrase? Why is `the truck` takes `on` in:
> load hay on the truck
but accusative case in:
> load the truck with hay | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "particles, transitivity"
} |
How do I translate a pattern like "Tap to enter comment"?
I find it difficult to translate short software GUI instructional pieces like:
* Tap to enter comment
* Press here to talk
* Sign in to continue
Should I put it like:
*
* or must it be:
* or
* or something else? | I think the examples you have are fine. I would personally use `` (In order to ~X, ...). Also note that GUI actions often leave off the `` when it is implied. (Further note: I think `` or `` might be used more than ``.)
*
* () Not sure of the exact meaning you want for "talk" without some context.
* | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "translation"
} |
Can I refer to the March 11 earthquake without mentioning the word earthquake?
Is it possible to refer to the 2011 Tลhoku earthquake and tsunami and nuclear incident in everyday conversation, preferably without using the words earthquake or tsunami or nuclear incident?
For example, when I was told a museum in Sendai wasn't open, and I wasn't sure whether it was because of the earthquake or just because it's closed on a Tuesday, should I have said " / ?"โป, or could I have used something that doesn't directly mention ?
The reason I'm trying to do so is that even in English, people often avoid referring to the type of disaster when referring to it (eg "Bali", "seven seven"), and I've heard that the Japanese language tends to be more indirect than English.
โป This may not be a correct use of the word , but that's not relevant to the question. | It is difficult to refer to the earthquake without mentioning it. If you don't want to mention it, you can think of other ways to ask:
>
> 'Is it regular holiday?'
>
>
> 'Why is it closed?'
>
>
> 'When will it be open?'
But I don't see any reason to avoid the word. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "translation"
} |
What exactly does "ใใ
" mean?
Good afternoon all,
Sometimes I see that people like to "curl" the last mora of a verb, for example:
> :
>
> :
>
> :
>
> :
>
> :
>
> :
>
> :
>
> : โฆ
>
> :
(Youtube link)
I was wondering what exactly does it mean to curl the "" sound of the verb, and in what situations do we do that? | It makes it feminine and cute. It may imply that the pronunciation is done with (duck mouth). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "usage, nuances"
} |
Japanese idiom equivalent to "take with a grain of salt"
Is there a Japanese idiom equivalent to "take with a grain of salt"?
In other words, an idiom which means "don't accept this information as completely true or the complete truth". | This may be close to that phrase:
> {}{}{}
`` denotes where roughly half of what is said is a truth, and half is a falsehood or exaggeration according to Daijirin.
Another similar phrase may be ``, which means something similar to "discount some of what somebody says".
See also Space ALC for more expressions. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 14,
"question_score": 15,
"tags": "translation, idioms"
} |
Different ways to say "at least" / ใๅฐใชใใจใใ
I would like to know if there are other ways to say "at least~" (context below), along with the relevant nuances of each way.
This is for a piece of writing I'm doing where for the sake of style I want to avoid using the same phrase too many times. That said, please do include answers that may only be suitable for speech or conversation.
I am referring to "at least~" as used in the following context:
> It looks like I won't be able to return to Japan for **at least** 6 months
> ****
(in other words I'm not looking for answers referring to phrases like , which translates to a different meaning of the English phrase "at least") | * "for the shortest"
* "under the least/shortest estimate"
* as in | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar, word choice"
} |
How does one write P.S. (post scriptum) in Japanese?
How does one write P.S. (post scriptum) in Japanese?
Dictionary translates postscript as , but is that the compound one would use at the end of a Japanese letter or e-mail? | Yes, it is. Other variants are ``, and direct use of the English `P.S.`
The most common format is
> xxxxxx
at the very end of the letter after name and date.
When handwriting, it is common to indent further lines to match the start of the text, like so:
> xxxxxxxx (line 1)
> xxxxxxxx (line 2)
These are more style guidelines than rules as sawa points out in the comments below. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 13,
"question_score": 12,
"tags": "email, word requests"
} |
How do I spell "So! So! So! So! So!"?
I've heard people say "So! So! So! So! So!" (or possibly "Sou! Sou! Sou!" or maybe using "z" instead of "s" - I'm bad at hearing) when laughing in agreement.
When middle-aged women speak Japanese gives an example of this:
Oishii! (Or any other word from the options supplied below.)
So desu ne!
So so so so so!
So ka!
Ne?
Ne!
[continues on - too long for this question]
How is is spelt? Is it the same as the that's used in ? I tried searching for (apparently is a rarer, kanji form according to jisho.org) but couldn't find anything. | It is the of yes. That is it. No deep meaning, nothing. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "words, spoken language"
} |
Usage of ใฆ-form in ็ฅใฃใฆใฎ้ใ
I have just come across the phrase `` (as you know...)
I have never noticed this usage of -form before and can't find an explanation.
What is the difference (if any) between this and ``?
I have also seen `` used in a similar way.
If possible please provide a more generalised explanation of the grammar at work here, and examples of other ways it may be used. | There is a brief description of this in (Matsuura Akira, 1971) on page 505.
> [] **** ( 710) / **** () / **** (, 3)
Rough translation:
> - _te_ differs from many other conjunctive particles in that it can be suffixed by all linking particles; adverbial particles - _nomi_ , - _dani_ , - _sura_ ; and case particles - _no_ , - _yori_ , - _kara_ , etc. [skip] Case particles: (Examples) **** ( 710), **** (), **** (, 3)
As already noted, in modern Japanese the two most common forms are _mite no tลri_ and _sitte no tลri_. As explained above, this is just one of many suffixes that - _te_ can take on.
There is a fine explanation comparing _mite no tลri_ , _mita tลri_ , and _miru tลri_ here. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 13,
"question_score": 15,
"tags": "grammar, nuances"
} |
What does the "~ใฆใใ" mean in "ไปปใใฆใใ"?
Good afternoon all,
From what I understand, "~" basically has 4 meanings:
1. to do something for a purpose / reason
2. used as a softener (source)
3. to do.. for now or for the time being (source, source), in other words to leave a situation as it is for now or for some time (source)
4. used as a request / command (source)
I was wondering which of the above meaning is the implied meaning of "~" when we use the word "" in the sentence "" ?
Is it the first meaning: _"Leave it to me! (and your reason being that I will get the job done for you)"_ ,
Or is it the third meaning: _"(For the time being,) Leave it to me!"_ ?
PS: Btw just to confirm, is it true that the "~" of "" implies the third meaning? | I'll just leave my comment above as an answer to maybe be ticked off since people seem to agree with it:
I was taught that ~ means "to do something in preparation (for something else)", (ie. nr.1 there) but I'm sure there's many (probably similar) applications..
As sawa also points out in his comment, your point 2 and 4 doesn't seem to make much sense, and point 3 is also a bit fuzzy.
Furthermore, as a side note, ~ at least in speech is often shortened to ~, as also noted in this question. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "nuances, ใฆ form, subsidiary verbs"
} |
<verb stem>+ใใใชใ
Is [verb stem] + different than [verb stem] + ? What does it mean?
!11 | It's a colloquial, contracted form for ~~"", '(you) wouldn't want to~~'. Just as you say to mean . | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "verbs, negation, i adjectives"
} |
Use of kana iteration marks (ใ, ใ, ใฝ, ใพ)
Kana iteration marks are are rarely used today, and hence there is not much online information on it besides this Wikipedia article, which leaves me with a couple questions.
* Is there any kana that cannot be expressed with an iteration mark? What about digraphs used in yลon, long vowels, or `` and ``?
* Can a kana with handakuten such as `` be expressed with iteration marks? Presumably, `` with an unvoiced mark would be equivalent to ``, but what about `` with a voiced one? Would it mean `` with handakuten or `` with dakuten?
Hoping someone will be able to help me better understand these unique symbols! | * Mora with a glide: I guess, if it is ever used, the mark will express the whole mora rather than just the glide because two consecutive glides are not permitted in Japanese phonology.
* Long vowel: For katakana, there are specialized symbols `` and ``, so you cannot use it. For hiragana, you can you it.
>
* Nasal coda: Japanese does not allow two consecutive nasal codas (in the native stratum), so there will not be such situation with hiragana. For very artificial onomatopoeia written in katakana, you might be able to use it.
* Other than that, I think there is no restriction in using the mark as long as that sequence appears.
* `` will mean ``. In hiragana, the combination `` should not arise. Japanese phonology for the native stratum does not allow it. When used in onomatopoeia or gairaigo, expressed in katakana, I think you cannot use the mark, and have to simply write ``. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 14,
"tags": "orthography, kana, classical japanese"
} |
How do you use ใใจ็ฅใ?
I've often seen and heard the expression ``. When I think about it, it makes sense in the context of the quoatation-, like with `` or ``. It seems like it means "Know **that** ".
> โ Did you know that Mikyuki got married?
However, the few times I've tried to use it, I was told I was using it incorrectly, and that I should instead use ``.
>
So what are the rules for using ``? Do `` and `` have different meanings and rules (they seem the same to me)?
* * *
**Update** : I've found quite a few examples from my Bible. It's the `` version, and I was able to search it here. I searched for ``, ``, and ``. Here are a couple examples:
> * **** / 6 24
> * **** / 2 16
> * **** / 20 9
> | The examples are very interesting. It looks like, whenever `` can be used, it means "find out" rather than "know". Another way to say this is, whenever `` can be used, you can replace the verb with ``. With "find out", you cannot have duration, in other words, you can say:
> I knew that theorem **for two days** , (but I forgot it).
but you cannot say
> * I found out that theorem **for two days**.
the aspectuality matters. Applying this to Japanese, you can use `` with a simple tense (under which `` means "find out"):
>
but not with perfect (under which `` means "know"):
> *
And indeed this makes sense because `` (similar to "to") implies the goal of change of location/state of something. Finding out something is a change of state, but knowing something is not. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "grammar, nuances, particle ใจ"
} |
Using ใช or ใญ when addressing a mixed-gender group?
I have the basic understanding that is generally more formal/feminine and is generally more informal/masculine. I was told that you tend to use as an emphasis if you are a) a female yourself or b) are addressing a female, regardless of your gender.
But say you were a male addressing a group of friends of both genders. Something like: Would you use or at the end of the sentence for emphasis? | As was pointed out (probably by Tsuyoshi Ito) in an answer/comment to another question on this site (which I cannot find right away), the gender connotation of and depends on whether it is attached to a clause or a noun. When they are attached to a clause, the connotation is not that strong, and can usually be dismissed. When they are attached to a noun, the connotation is strong.
> (gender neutral, or very slight feminine connotation)
> (feminine)
>
> (gender neutral, or very slight mascline connotation)
> ... (mascline in Tokyo dialect, gender neutral in Kansai dialects)
> (somehow, not completely ungrammatical but unnatural to directly attach after a noun without a particle) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "colloquial language, sentence final particles, gender"
} |
What is that expression used to generally mean "...is what I would say, but..."?
Forgive me if this is a bit anecdotal, but I often hear a sentence pattern in speech which basically is of the form "[statement]...is what I would/want to say, but..." I usually hear this when the speaker is trying to lead the listener on as a joke or to be sarcastic. It sort of sounds like ......, but I can't be sure. There's a definite pause between the first expression and the -whatever I hear afterwards.
**EDIT** : An example might be helpful. "You're really funny...is what I'd like to say." Possibly followed with an explanation: "You're really funny...is what I'd like to say, but I just can't lie." | Is it perhaps "nanchatte"? | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "colloquial language, expressions"
} |
Usage of "๏ฝใ ใดใใ"
A fair while ago someone said something like `` in a comment.
But what kind of a connotation and usage does `` have? Can it be used in a kind of humorous sort of way?
**Edit:** Realized it was actually ``. | The question was revised since my initial comment, which I will add as an answer.
(or ) is a final suffix equivalent to or . It adds a sense of cuteness owning to the fact that (or ) is the way in which something (such as a bunny) hops or bounces. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar, colloquial language"
} |
Understanding the ใใใ in ไปฒใใใ
What is the etymology of the suffix(?) in and how is it used to express discord? If this is a suffix as such, is it used in combination with any other words? | The in is another, rarer pronunciation of (usually pronounced ), a noun meaning "difference". This is not to be confused with , which has the same pronunciation. has the general meaning of "relationship", and is the same character from ("close friend").
So overall we have a compound noun:
> - relationship
> - difference
meaning differences (ie disagreements) in a relationship causing discord. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "grammar, etymology"
} |
Problem understanding a sentence
The sentence means "Tom is taller than I ~~me~~." but I'm trying to find the meaning of each word in order to understand the japanese sentence better. Here is what I have so far:
(Tom is topic), (I, me), (less than or greater than?), (height of body), (is tall).
So I am having trouble making sense of how the words and particles relate to the sentence. | I think your problem is with `` rather than all of the sentence. `` does not indicate more or less than something. `` introduces a **standard of comparison**. You may think of it as "from" or "with respect to".
Breaking it down:
* `` \- Tom (as the topic)
* `` \- I (as the standard of comparison)
* `` \- stature (subject)
* `` \- tall
* `` \- is (copula)
* * *
Let's make a simpler sentence:
* :
> Literally: "As for Tom, stature is tall"
>
> Naturally: "Tom is tall"
Now let's add `` into the mix:
* **** :
> Literally: "As for Tom, with me() as a standard of comparison(), his stature is tall"
>
> Naturally: "Tom is tall **er** than I" | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar, meaning, particle ใใ"
} |
What is the best word to use to mean "to take long-term a break (i.e. from school)"?
Just to add some context to this question: I graduated with a B.A. last June, and am currently taking a two-year break from education to work off some of the inordinate amount of debt I accumulated in my first four years.
What's the best way to describe this type of situation in Japanese? ? ? Something else entirely?
Your help is much appreciated.
Related: Is this the correct way of saying attending a school? | _Note: this is changed from my original answer (), which sawa pointed out to be unnatural for this situation._
and should be okay for your purposes, as should (suggested by sawa) which specifically refers to time off from school. Take care to explain the situation as you have done here in English, or it may sound as though you are a current student who is taking time off. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "word choice, words, translation"
} |
Additional nuance of ใใ with time
It seems to me that has virtually no meaning when used as shown below.
Consider these:
Please come before five O'clock:
*
* ****
Please come after five O'clock:
* (*ungrammatical as observed by sawa)
* ****
**(Question)** What does add to the sentence? What additional nuance is there? And why is omission of acceptable for but not ? | `` has an important role. It means "from", but in languages like English, the word for "than" is morphologically distinct from the word "from". Don't think of an extra `` being added but think that `` is omitted in the examples without it. And in fact, `` is ungrammatical.
As for why `` is grammatical whereas `` is not, I guess that it is because it is much more frequent to ask someone to come a little bit before a whole-hour time (to be ready for something) rather than a little bit after a whole-hour time. Thence, it is likely that expressions in the form `` had more chance to make it into a fixed expression. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "nuances, particle ใใ"
} |
Does ๆ้ชจๅฅช่ have negative connotation?
In the book by , I saw this sentence (not exact since I'm solely depending on my memory)
> 2004 "I, Robot" Isaac Asimov
I looked at several online dictionaries, all of which didn't seem to me that the expression doesn't have negative sense by definition. However this book makes me feel like the author implies negative sense. Can anyone show references that define the term more clearly regarding this aspect? | Below are several definitions:
> ()
>
> โ=
>
>
>
>
>
>
I chose these because in addition to the normal, positive sense, they also note a negative sense. This negative sense is described as a mistake and is colloquial.
If you need any help understanding these citations, just ask. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "expressions, idioms, yoji jukugo"
} |
Cohortative ใพใใใ with and without the auxiliary construction ๏ฝใฆใฟใ
In "" meaning "Let's try/do something.", what is the literal translation of ""? I've got "" means "doing" and "" means "let's watch or let's?".
How is "" different from using ""? Would using "" be grammatically correct and mean the same thing? | The form `` means "to do something and see how it turns out/how it goes". So `` means "let's do it and see how it goes", whereas `` just means "let's do it".
> โ Let's do something and see what happens/how it turns out
> โ Let's do something
In this case, there's not a huge difference in the meaning (assuming this is said in a familiar context). Using `` simply adds a nuance of uncertainty regarding how it will be. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 12,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar, meaning, subsidiary verbs"
} |
What does ใชใฎใญ at the end of a sentence mean?
A certain character in an anime series I watch would literally end each sentence with . What does this imply? He was a pretty flamboyant character who was supposed to be Italian, if that offers any additional insight. | lends the same emphasis to a sentence as . However, is more conversational, informal and can come across as feminine.
According to my teacher, people who end all their sentences with this kind of emphasis in real life can come across as self-important, presumably because it sounds like they're attaching added importance to everything they say.
That may be a factor here, and it certainly matches with the flamboyance of the character. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "colloquial language, sentence final particles, anime"
} |
Why does furigana occasionally appear as katakana?
I've seen some kanji whose furigana is actually katakana. For example, see the following manga cover for . When would a kanji character ever be pronounced as a loan word?
!enter image description here | This tends to be a style choice by an author, who uses a kanji for aesthetic/readability purposes for a word which is usually expressed with (borrowed words from foreign languages). The author can choose to do this for a few reasons. Often if they are concerned that the they're using will not be understood by everyone, they use kanji to express the meaning of the word with the as furigana. In this case is a common word that would be recognised by everyone, so perhaps they did it to shorten the written title?
Note that is **not** an actual pronunciation of , and would never usually be read as such. Without the furigana to specify pronunciation this would almost certainly be read as here. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "kanji, katakana, furigana"
} |
What is the difference between ่ฆใใใใฟใใใ๏ผ่ใใใใใใใใใ and ่ฆใใใใใฟใใใใ๏ผ่ใใใใใใใ?
In Japanese, there is a potential form to express that it's possible for something to be done.
My own examples of potential form:
> (I **can** eat spicy foods.)
>
> (I **can** play the guitar.)
But I also know of `` and ``. I've heard them used as also meaning it's possible for something to be done (seeing for `` and hearing for ``). But this isn't the potential conjugation of the original words, `` and ``. The potential form would be `` and ``.
What is the difference between the normal potential form and their "special" forms? | > = to be able to see. (precisely: _to be seen/to be in sight_ )
> โ Can you see the fujisan? =>
>
> = to be able to watch.
> โ Can you watch DVD with this? => DVD
The same for (Can you listen) vs (Can you hear / precisely: _to be heard/to be audible_ )
and and not a special form of and , they are specific verbs by themselves. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 15,
"question_score": 24,
"tags": "word choice, usage, verbs, conjugations, potential form"
} |
What does ๏ฝใใใใชใใฃใ do in this sentence?
The following sentence was translated in the following ways:
>
> I shouldn't have slept with the window open.
> I regret (that) I was sleeping with the window open.
But why does `` make the meaning "I shouldn't have slept" rather than "I hadn't been sleeping"? | In your example, your is a shortened form of .
V is a common command form, and V is used by extension as a form of prohibition. In your example, the following transformations have occurred:
* โ
* โ โ
In this case, the speaker is basically scolding herself because she should've known not to sleep with the window open. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
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Conjugation of ใใใชใ or ใใใ?
In "" meaning "Had to do homework.", is the word "" derived from "" (verb conjugation) or from "" (i-adjective conjugation)? | It's the past form of , which in turn is the negative form of :
* (plain)
* (negated)
* (negated-past)
Like with any verb, the negative form of behaves like an -adjective. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
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What does the pattern ๏ฝใใใฏใใชใ do?
I keep seeing the pattern `` and wondering what how the nuance/meaning is different from other forms. For example, how would the following sentences differ?
> "" and ""
> "I won't tell anyone."
>
> "" and ""
> "Don't give up." | This is as we know it, indicating an incomplete list of actions, in this case with a single example.
Your first example would be like the difference between "I won't tell anyone or anything" or the direct "I won't tell anyone", in English. The second example is similar - I won't include it here since it happens to sound less natural translated to English than the first. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
Why is ใใใฎไบบใ sometimes pronounced like ใใใฎใใจใ?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Why the "H" is pronounced Sh in some cases.
I notice native speakers frequently sound as if they are reading as . I am aware of instances where sounds are altered to make pronunciation more natural (e.g., > ). Is this one of those instances, or is it perhaps dialectical? | Only have one small thing to add to Jesse's answer.
Even in Standard Japanese phonology, /h/ is pronounced differently in than in, say, , which makes it sound a lot closer to /sj/. _How_ close the pronunciation is for individual speakers, as Jesse says, is dialectal, and even depends on the specific word.
Another factor may be that many speakers don't or hardly pronounce the /i/ sound in . I feel that this makes it harder to hear the difference. For example, and (where the vowels have to be pronounced) seem easier to distinguish than and (where the vowel might not be pronounced as clearly).
Incidentally, one of the most common examples of the (opposite) phenomenon is {} which many pronounce as . Not sure if it goes the other way as well. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
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Can ใพ be used as an interjection to connote an indignant tone?
On occasion, I will hear being used in a way that seems to suggest the speaker is responding to something indignantly. Something like, " **Well!** If _that's_ how you're going to act..." Are there any good examples of how intonation can change the perceived meaning of (when used in isolation)? | There is no word that matches your description. The interjection you hear is probably or . It expresses a surprise rather than indignant tone.
> /
There is also / which is a filler (and sometimes compensates a potentially bad situation), something like the English "well".
> / | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
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"tags": "interjections, intonation"
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How can ใใใใ be used to mean both "yes" and "no?"
I was told by my Japanese teacher that can be used as a casual way to say "yes" _as well as_ "no." If this is true, how can you tell the difference, absent any additional information? | It's possible that your teacher was talking about how to respond to negative questions in Japanese. This is a good explanation for that.
In this case, though, I think your teacher was talking about vs .
A straightforward with a falling intonation means yes. A lengthened , often with high, then lower, then middle pitch can be used to express doubt, denial or disagreement (it may be helpful to ask your teacher to demonstrate).
As oldergod says, this is often used when answering a negative-question, but it doesn't have to be used this way. In my friend's copy of Genki I have seen something like:
> A:
> B: | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
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Can ็ฉ be added to any word to make it mean "things?"
I keep seeing examples of words where is tacked on the end to mean "things." , , , etc. Are there any restrictions as to what can precede ? Can I, for example, say something like , , or even ?
I guess is often translated into English as the noun "food", not "edible things." Is this merely a more natural translation or does literally imply "anything that can be eaten" (as opposed to "things that should be/are typically eaten")?
In French, there are seemingly highly-specific verbs like jaunir (to turn yellow) and bleuir (to turn blue). They act like they follow a similar pattern whereby any color can be transformed into a verb of this sort. (My French is very rusty, so please excuse me if this is an inaccurate assumption.) Does perhaps have a similar flexibility whereby can always mean something like "things to ?" | There are `verb-stem + ` and `verb-stem + `, and these are compound words. Their meanings are idiosyncratic, and cannot be derived systematically.
Consider:
* - food (the physical object being eaten)
* - laughingstock (the physical object(person) being laughed at)
* - laughing matter (an intangible incident)
* - plaything/toy (tangible)
* - recreation (intangible)
Both nouns turn a verb into a thing; turns the verb into a tangible thing and turns the verb into a conceptual thing.
> Are there any restrictions as to what can precede ?
I guess your restrictions depend on if you want it to be a tangible thing or a conceptual thing. Or if it is not possible for the thing to exist tangibly then there is no compound with . | stackexchange-japanese | {
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What does ใใ mean in this sentence?
(Most probably, he won't teach English any more.) I got this sentence from this thread. doesn't seem necessary to use or have. Isn't the meaning the same if it was like this: ? | In this case gives the meaning "any more". Without it, the sentence would mean:
"He probably doesn't teach English".
Note that has the same meaning as . The latter form is more commonly used but the former is still used in writing sometimes. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
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"tags": "usage, adverbs"
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How do you write someone's name if you don't know what kanji to use?
Since kanji can have multiple pronunciations, how would you know how to write someone's name if you've only heard it spoken? What's the convention? Would you just guess, or maybe write it out in hiragana instead? | It depends on what you're writing, I would think. If you're writing a note to yourself, like "Call Suzuki-san later", of course you could guess or just write it with kana.
If you're writing something to the person themselves, I tend to write it in katakana. I don't know why, but this seems to be politer, in a sort of neutral way. But this is just my inclination and there may be no truth to it.
If you need to write it in some kind of official document or paperwork, you should probably just ask the person how to write it. If you can't ask the person directly (like a historical figure, etc.), chances are _someone_ knows how it is written. If not, hiragana would probably be an OK fallback if there's really no way to figure it out.
Also, there are some people who have no kanji for their first name, so in this case you'd use the hiragana. | stackexchange-japanese | {
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"tags": "homophonic kanji, names"
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Understanding ใใใ่ฏใใใ
The sentence `` means "I don't know what I should say."
But what is the literal translation of this sentence? What is the purpose of the `` in ``? | you can think of it like:
> What would be right to say? I don't know
What to say... / good? / I don't know
the would supply the question mark in my literal translation above. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "grammar, translation, meaning"
} |
What is the ใใฆ in ๅใใ+ใใฆ?
Here are some examples:
> + ->
>
> ; fresh bamboo shoots that have just been harvested.
>
> + ->
>
> ; fresh rice that has just been cooked.
>
> + ->
>
> ; a newly born baby
In what way is it a version of the conjunctive form (?) ? How does this suffix(?) work and what meaning does it express? | is , which is related to (to stand up).
tachinagara tabako o suu: to smoke while standing).
Something just having finished seems to be somehow related to standing, etymologically or semantically. The kanji used to write it reveals the connection.
Verbs take on shifted meanings when used to form agglutinative compounds. (miru) turns into "try something", (oku) turns into "prepare for later convenience" etc.
In there seems to be a similar effect although the grammatic function isn't the same.
If some action recently finished its effect is "standing", in some sense. The rice was cooked, and it is still cooked now: the cooked status "stands" (a metaphor for persistence in a state that was recently achieved). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 3,
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Is it OK to keep saying ใใใใจใ
I was asking a Japanese person for some help and noticed that I kept saying `` over and over as they helped me more. Culturally, is it OK to keep saying it multiple times in Japanese? Would it be better to switch to another word to express my gratefulness?
I'm not trying to be English-centric, but I feel like continuously thanking someone might be a little odd or distant in English. I don't feel exactly the same way about it in Japanese, but I want to know what the Japanese perspective is on this. | I guess It's ok.
After asking many questions, I keep saying but I usually add to convey that I know I am asking a lot and I am sorry for this. | stackexchange-japanese | {
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"tags": "set phrases, politeness, culture"
} |
Difference between ้ข and ้ก
I have seen both used like and to mean smile (noun). afaik both are pronouced as (somebody correct me if I'm wrong, ).
So what exactly is the difference? | I think `` is the simplified Chinese form of ``, and that it generally is only used in simplified Chinese (and that it isn't really used in Japanese), but they both have the same meaning. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "kanji"
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ใ ใฃใฆ (datte) meaning
What are the possible uses for ? | It can mean "but" (similar to ):
> A: (Go to school!)
> B: ( **But** , my head hurts!)
This is often used by children, and can come across as cute or childish.
It can mean "even" (again, similar to ):
> (If you work hard **even** you can do it!)
It can mean the same as (or more generally, becomes )
> (I realised that I like him)
This use is conversational. | stackexchange-japanese | {
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Difference between ๅฆฌใใญใใใพใใ and ็พจใใใใใใพใใ
Considering "How to define ?", it does not seem that `` conveys a strong intensity of jealousy.
How does compare to then?
Does convey a stronger sense of jealously than the "I wish I were you" kind? How is used differently from ?
Also as an aside, has Shakespeare's concept of the green-eyed monster influenced the Japanese language for to be considered as a concept for jealousy? | As far as I know, `` has more of a negative connotation. Like an "evil" jealousy. I know in my Japanese Bible, it's often used in talking about "coveting" or "being greedy for". This dictionary entry includes
>
Whereas `` has more of a neutral, or even positive nuance. "You're going to Disneyland next month? I'm so jealous!" | stackexchange-japanese | {
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What's the difference between ๅจๅณ and ๅฐๅณ?
What's the difference between `{}{}` and `{}{}` to mean "dignity"?
From what I can tell, the two seem to be similar, but slightly different. In what ways do the nuances and usages of the two differ? | First lets get the definitions from a dictionary:
> โ
>
> :
If you look above, both definitions have the phrase `` in them. This is where they are similar in meaning. The difference is in the first characters `` and ``. Lets think of `` as representing "value" and `` represents "power".
Lets look at some examples:
>
>
>
>
>
In the above sentences, you cannot replace `` with ``. The above sentences talk about something you should respect and uphold. So, `` is used in phrases talking about rights every human or individual should have, a level of respect, etc. (hence representing "value")
>
>
>
>
>
The above is talking more about power and influence over others. If a parent does not have ``, then a child is probably not going to listen to them, or if a country doesn't have `` then they probably have to follow the orders from another country and never get their way, etc. (hence representing "power"). | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "word choice, nuances"
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learning order for kana?
I'm trying to use some flash cards to learn the kana (hirigana first, but both in time), and there's simply too much for me to learn at once. Is there a recommended or practiced learning "order" or series? How are children introduced to them?
I already have basic pronunciation down - if I can see it spelled out in Romaji script I can say it with acceptable/reasonable accuracy. I am not concerned about learning actual words or kanji right now, I only wish to master this "basic alphabet" first, to the point that I can sound out words written in kana.
I've thought of simply adding a flashcard from the deck at random each day and drilling through the resulting stack a couple times per day, but I wanted to seek out greater wisdom before doing something so random or rash!
I've got the flashcards produced by White Rabbit Press. | The equivalent of "alphabetical order" for kana that hangs on the wall of classrooms is as follows:
I believe children are introduced to them based on this, probably vertically (i.e. and so on). [ _Thanks to Jamie Taylor in the comments._ ]
I can't really give specific advice on order to learn since that's not the focus of JLU, and different ways work for different people. You can check our resources thread for some resources that may help you learn, or ask in chat.
Once you've learnt the above, make sure you know combinations like (shu), know about dakuten (eg (shi) -> (ji)), and the purpose of the small . | stackexchange-japanese | {
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"tags": "learning, kana, katakana, hiragana"
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Address someone by their first name, or their last name?
When addressing John Doe, would you say "John-", or "Doe-"?
Does it depend on how polite or formal you're being? Does it also depend on whether the person is a nihonjin, a kankokujin (who have their family name first, not last), or a westerner? | In general, Japanese people will address people by their last name if they are anything but good friends.
So that would be the tendency would be Doe.
However when it comes to western people 2 things come into play.
1) Your name might be difficult to say.
2) They might know our custom is to use first names more often.
When I was in Japan and dealing with people I would see fairly often, they would generally ask me what I wanted to be called. I always said my first name because that is how I see myself and because my last name is impossible for Japanese people say correctly. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "politeness, culture, names"
} |
What's the reading of -ไธญ as a suffix?
I see this all the time, but I don't know that I've heard it spoken.
For example:
Is it simply ""? | The reading when used as a suffix in this case is (the on-yomi of the character )
So is pronounced . The meaning is "installing", or "in the process of installation".
More generally, used in this way can be thought to mean "in the process of ~"
_Edit: There is another possible usage of which Hyperworm describes in their answer._ | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 11,
"question_score": 15,
"tags": "readings, suffixes"
} |
What would be a proper definition and adequate natural translation for the term ๆฟใๆญ็?
My friend wrote this sentence about these videos:
> ""
<
I'm not grasping the subtleties of this expression, so I'm wondering what the exact meaning is and what would be a good translation into english. | (, utaou) is literally "king of song". Someone who wins a singing contest (popular pastime in Japan, right?) is "utaou".
A contest in general is (ketteisen) and a (utaouketteisen) is a contest to be king of song!
But there are also contests for parody songs, thus: . If you search for this, you can find no shortage of funny videos.
Your friend probably means that those songs are the typical Japanese material sung in these kaeutaou contests. (So that you do not think this is real Japanese pop, haha!) | stackexchange-japanese | {
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What is the difference between ๅธๆ๏ผใใผใ๏ผand ๆฐๆใก๏ผใใใก๏ผ๏ผ
I am new to learning the Japanese language. I am a bit confused about the difference between {} and {}.
Can someone please explain the difference between them and show how to use them in a sentence? | "Hope" (or "wish") and "feeling" are different words.
So this is like asking, what is the difference between "apple" and "bread", and can you show this in a sentence.
(Are you sure you don't mean: what is the difference between (kanji) and ?) | stackexchange-japanese | {
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When is it appropriate to refer to yourself using your name, rather than ็ง (or others)?
I have heardโthough not oftenโpeople refer to themselves using their first name, not by using a pronoun for "I." Does this have special connotation in Japanese? Nothing about the usage (to me) seemed particularly unusual. In English, this would admittedly come across as being very weird. | Yes, young children and young women often refer to themselves by their first name. There is the notion that it is cute and women will use it when talking to close family members, etc. If an adult male would use it, it would sound very effeminate. Also, when an adult women uses it, _some_ people consider that she is trying to look cute on purpose and be turned off by it. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "word choice, names, first person pronouns, pronouns"
} |
Is there a difference between ใใใใ and ใใใซ?
My JLPT textbook has a section about the use of , which they define as "making an effort in order to realize the intended purpose."
Which to me sounds like plain ol' .
For example, they have this example sentence:
> {}{}{}{}{}
Isn't that the same as saying:
> {}{}{}{}{}
...? | Matt pretty much gave the answer, but I'm going to be cheeky and write a real answer, since I think the question deserves it.
This is not the negative, but a contraction of the archaic auxiliary verb , which expresses intention, prediction etc. As the Goo article says, since the Heian period, it also appeared as , and since the Kamakura period as (). The latter is basically the modern Japanese volitional verb suffix.
I cannot think of any situation where the form survives in modern Japanese. The form survives in certain fossilized constructs:
> in order to live
> intend to say
Incidentally, these could also be expressed with the () form:
> in order to live
> intend to say
Edit:
In terms of meaning, there is not much of a difference, but the versions sound a bit more old-fashioned/solemn. So the difference in use is mostly stylistic. | stackexchange-japanese | {
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How can you figure out whether ้ตใใใใ means "lock" or "key"?
Recently, I forgot whether meant lock or key, so I looked it up quickly on my phone's dictionary... And then I found out that it actually means both.
What are the best ways to figure out if someone who is saying is talking about a lock or talking about a key? Is the intonation maybe different for each meaning? Is there a way to ask which they are talking about? Is there a common alternative word for one or both of them?
Definitely not as important as the main question, but I'm also wondering if Japanese people sometimes get confused by this or if they just process it naturally since they're used to ? | The way I understand it is that `{}` is generally used for "lock" and `{}` for "key". `` can mean "lock" in some contexts however (this is almost certainly incomplete):
> * - to lock (something)
> _(literally something like "turn a key on (something)")_
> * / - (something) is locked
> * - to unlock (something)
> * \- "install a lock"
> * \- "the lock is broken"
> * \- "attach a lock to the entrance"
> | stackexchange-japanese | {
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"question_score": 15,
"tags": "words, meaning, definitions, nouns"
} |
In which situations is ใ used with ๆฒใใ?
According to jmdict is intransitive, therefore it should be used with or . However it always seems to be used with - for example: | This is related to a pattern with "motion verbs" in Japanese that are considered to be intransitive, but still use to describe the area that the motion goes through.
From the first part of your example, , the in this case marks the area or thing through which the subjects 'goes', even though it's not a transitive verb. Often this use of can be described as "along X" or "through X", and often carries the implication of moving along or through either all or a significant portion of the area described with .
The same is true of in your example, and it means something like "turn through that corner". Another example would be .
simply marks the subject of the sentence, the thing that is moving through the corner or along the street, or through the sky. (I suspect your question title meant to reference instead of , however, given that your example sentence does not contain the particle ) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 9,
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Meaning of ~ใใฆ~ and ~ใใพใใพใใ in sentence
"" means "I left your book in the car." but what is the meaning of "" and "" in context? | , from []{}, indicates that it is a "conclusion" of sorts. indicates a completion, usually with a negative connotation. Taken together, a better translation for the sentence would be "It has come to pass that I have left your book in the car.". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 1,
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What work is left on a map?
Near Shibuya, they're finishing up some construction on a subway system that has been going on for years. It seems they're at the stage of finishing up some road work above where they had been making subway.
In the middle of Meiji Dori, where some of this construction remains, they had this sign:
!chizuninokorishigoto
I understand all the words, and I think I understand the grammar, but I have no idea what it's trying to say. My translation is roughly:
> Work that remains on the map.
What map? And how can the work they are doing remain on it? Why is this something you say on a sign for everyone to see?
What does this sign mean? | The generally available geographical map. Google Maps. Local maps. And so on.
The slogan says their work remains on the map -- it is work on a scale that is recorded by cartographers and becomes part of the landscape. Important work having (future) historical and wide-area significance.
Possibly the English nuance of "remain" might throw you here -- it seems to imply that it was on a map before and it will remain being on a map.
The actual message, I feel, is closer to this: after the work is finished in real life, it is not forgotten, but remains (s), leaves its mark, on the map. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 11,
"tags": "translation"
} |
What is the purpose of ใฎ in this sentence?
"" means "Do you know how to fix this TV?" but I can't figure out the purpose of (after ) in this sentence. | is a noun meaning "way to fix", or "method of fixing".
The usage of here is possessive:
> `A` `B`
> The `B` of (or belonging to) `A`
So the translation works as follows:
> | | | | |
> This | TV | 's | way to fix | (you) know | ? | stackexchange-japanese | {
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Does ๆ ใ also mean "to copy" in some sense?
I was just sitting in a coffee shop, sheltering myself from the cloudburst over Tokyo a few minutes ago, and I couldn't help but overhear the conversation between to girls beside me.
They were talking about mobile phones, apps, and were showing each other pictures on their phones.
One of the girls said:
> SD{}
`{}` means to reflect, or project, and I'm only familiar with it in the sense of a film projector projecting an image on a screen. However, it seemed they were talking about copying pictures to their SD card.
Is `{}` extended in use to mean copying data to a disk? As in, the bits are reflected on the disk? What are the nuances of `{}` that make it applicable here?
Is this a recent usage of `{}`? | As far as I know, `{}` is generally used for "copy (homework/data etc)"/"take a photo", and `{}` is generally used for "reflect/project", but that `` can mean "copy" with the right Kanji.
Also note a third way of writing with `{}`, which means "move/remove/transfer" etc. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "word choice"
} |
Can ใใฏใ also mean "or rather" or "actually"?
I heard this sentence pattern watching an anime (where A and B have similar meanings, but B is much stronger):
> [description A] [description B]
I looked up `` expecting a definition like "rather", as in "it was [A], or rather, it was [B]". Instead I found "already, now", as in "He is no longer a child" ``
I looked around and that's the only definition I've found...however, I did see that on goo it did say `` was a word for it, which means "exactly". I'm guessing that would make this mean "[A], or more exactly [B]". Can someone confirm this? This wasn't a secondary entry in the definition, just a line in the first, "already" definition, but it seems to me a very different usage. Can someone clarify this for me? | As says, the similarities are very strong between and .
The meaning is that something has now reached a certain state, leaving its past state behind. This can imply that the change is irreversible.
He's a criminal now. (he's now reached that point, and there is no turning back from it.)
He's a company president now. (cast away any thoughts you might have had of him as a lower-paid employee -- that is no longer true)
X means that it is, **by now** , OK to call it X (probably: there's now enough evidence/reason to support the statement), and this is the new irreversible state -- we're casting off the old state of not calling it X.
This corresponds to 's second sense of :
> **** โโ
I don't see any context/reason to interpret it as "actually" or "or rather". | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 6,
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} |
<te form> + ใฃใจ (conditional particle)
>
Is this a contraction of something? How does it differ from something like or ?
!naruto 21 | This is obviously a contraction of . Not sure if this pertains to certain dialects/age groups etc. though. Haven't heard this one myself in real life. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "ใฆ form, contractions, particle ใจ"
} |
What does it mean when a sentence ends with ใใชใใใชใ?
A friend posted this in a comment on Facebook:
> {}{}{}
I think I get the general meaning, which is "This seems to have a deep meaning." But I'm fuzzy on the implications of ``.
Is it a contraction of `{}`? Something else? | This is a double negation. It is a way of saying "" with less certainty. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "grammar, word choice"
} |
ๆฐใ้ฃใ versus ๆฐใไฝฟใ
It seems from my JLPT study books, and also my computer's IME, that `{}{}` is the preferred kanji for "paying attention to, having concern for".
However, I noticed that on Space ALC if you look up `{}{}`, it redirects you to `{}{}`, which, according to both it and Rikaichan, means the exact same thing.
Is there any difference? It seems `{}{}` is more common, but can that be confirmed? | Generally people don't make a distinction, but technically, and have slightly different nuances. just means "to use" whereas the for is also seen in (), like in words such as . So, is to use ones , (closer to "pay attention") and is more to "direct" ones to somebody else (have concern for somebody). The reason is more common is because it emphasizes the act of having concern for others more. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 7,
"tags": "word choice"
} |
What does ้
ใใซ้
ใใฆ mean?
I'm pretty sure `` is a grammar form that I have studied in my JLPT textbooks, but I came across it again in a text and I can't for the life of me find it again in my grammar dictionaries. I also looked on JGram, but couldn't find it there.
The particular case I came across was:
> {}{}{}{}{}{}{}
Without knowing what `{}{}` is doing, I feel I'm missing an important nuance.
I think it's something like, "From long ago, people have been slow to be conscious of their own age." But how is the above sentence different from this one:
> {}{}{}{}{}{}
...? | An attempt to answer your question about how the two sentences are different:
means something like "because it's late" and doesn't make much sense in the sentence.
might make more sense semantically, but doesn't seem to put enough emphasis on the being late "Long ago, humans become conscious of their age late". The "late" doesn't quite know what it wants (Sorry, can't explain this much better).
tries to capture the sense of "finally" or "after much delay" and therefore implies that man should have become conscious about his age earlier. "Long ago, humans finally become conscious of their age".
It would be easier to be certain if I had more context for your sentence. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
Difference between ไธธใ and ๅใ
Both come up with the same reading and definition in Jisho.org (round/circular), and both are listed as common words. Is there any preference between the two or should I simply learn both as interchangeable? | generally refers to spherical objects like a globe.
generally refers to circular objects like a circle drawn on a page. Perhaps also a physical object which is flat and round in shape (a (yen) coin for example) | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 27,
"question_score": 28,
"tags": "word choice, kanji"
} |
Did ใใใใจใ come from Portuguese "obrigado"?
I have heard before that came from the word "obrigado" in Portuguese. Is this true and is there any evidence to support this, or is it an old wives' tale? | It is false. came from adjective , which was in classical Japanese and dates back much earlier than any loanwords from Portuguese appeared in Japanese.
Word appeared in Makura no Sลshi (1002), although I hope that someone with access to large dictionaries can post earlier references. Loanwords from Portuguese in Japanese started appearing in the 16th century.
_See also the comment to this answer by Dono. Honestly speaking, I think that it is better than this answer._ | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 41,
"question_score": 29,
"tags": "etymology, folklore"
} |
How should I go about translating my company name in Japanese?
I'm trying to translate a company name ("puddle") in to Japanese. I put it into Google Translate, but when you translate words, you're translating their meaning rather than the word itself, which is usually what you're looking for. But when translating a company name, essentially you want to find the letter for letter equivalent of that name.
What's the best way to approach this?
Also, how can you check that you haven't accidentally translated your company name into an obscenity? | > What's the best way to approach this?
Ask someone who is fluent in Japanese to help you out. Another problem people run into is when the name they want to use is already in use. A good example is the company Logitech (the computer accessory maker). In Japan they are known as Logicool because another company that was already in Japan had a similar name.
> Also how can you check that you haven't accidentally translated your company name into an obscenity?
Same as above, to verify your name is okay, you need to ask someone who understands Japanese well. Another common problem is when you use Katakana, it can mean different things, for example, could also be translated back into English as "paddle", so it might be best to leave the title in English, or think of a different name. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "translation"
} |
difference between ใใใพใใใand ใใใใใใ
these two words came up when I was looking at a vocabulary list that I'm supposed to study. I'm having trouble with understanding the difference and the usage of the words. If possible would someone please provide a couple of examples using both of the terms? I would appreciate it! | Not entirely sure about this, but from the different examples I've seen, `` seems to be more subjective, based on one's opinion or feelings, whereas `` seems to be more objective and/or neutral.
Can't type Japanese on the computer I'm using right now, so I'll have to add examples later.
* * *
###
> **** โ My neighbours were making such a racket that I couldn't sleep well.
> **** โ A much-discussed social problem
###
> **** โ We could not hear him because of all the noise. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "words"
} |
difference between ้ฃ่ผ and ้ ๆฌก
I usually see the word pertaining to articles or books in a series. However, when I read I was confused (I saw this is a technical article). They seem to both hold the meaning "serial" or "consecutive" or "in series". Is exclusively used when referring to books, articles, novels, etc.? | Yes, and is an action noun or a verb, while basically works as an adverb. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "definitions, word choice"
} |
What is the grammar behind ๆ6ๆ (as opposed to ๆใฎ6ๆ)?
6 seems to be consistent with using to have one noun modify another, while 6 appears to be just two successive nouns (which I wouldn't think would be a grammatically valid construction). | I am not sure what you are really looking for. We say 6, 6, 9, 6, 6, 4, 4, and so on. If you want grammatical analysis, they may be considered as compound nouns, but I am not sure if understanding them as compound nouns helps you understand these expressions any better. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "grammar"
} |
What does ใชใใ mean?
I assume this is some sort of idiom or verbal tic, but i'm not 100% sure. Anybody care to help me out?
If you need context, this is the phrase: | ~ is a contraction of ~. could be a typo or unusual spelling of this.
~ makes a verb imperative, for example
>
> (I) must go
The is often informally omitted.
In the case of your example sentence the verb is []{}, becoming to give the meaning "I must do my best" | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "translation, meaning"
} |
What is a ไธก็ (as seen in newspapers)?
I've seen this a couple of times in newspapers. For example:
> .... **** ....
I can't find it in any dictionary. My gut feeling is that it indicates a sort of union between the two prefectures, in this case between Yamaguchi and Hiroshima. Can someone confirm or clarify this? | is a prefix meaning "both". In this case "both prefectures".
Here are some other examples of its usage, from EDICT via jisho.org. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "words"
} |
Thank you for X: ๏ฝใใใใใจใใใใใพใ
I've often heard this pattern, particularly in things like
> ****
Since `` is an adjective, why is it acceptable to use `` in this situation? That seems about as grammatically correct as saying something like ``.
Is there some kind of underlying grammatical-correctness to this, or is this just something that was misused and then became acceptable over time? | I think your example is simply omitting a word (a proper verb after , that is).
>
Which would mean this is basically like saying:
>
... being essentially equivalent to . Of course, normally you don't say , omitting the verb, but I think is just so common that it might have become an exception. | stackexchange-japanese | {
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 10,
"tags": "grammar, set phrases"
} |
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