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What exactly happens when you embed a clause with も?
I understand what's going on when you embed a interrogative clause using like when you form pronouns like or write things like
However, It's still beyond me what does when used to embed a clause; I get how means 'somebody' or 'whom', but I don't understand why what's normally the temporally inclusive topic marking particle makes it's mean 'everyone' or 'anyone', which is what I'm hoping to learn.
Edit: Could you also explain how the meaning changes when using instead of using
|
Words like and etc. when used with negative verbs take on their negative counterpart essentially.
**Someone** was there.
**No one** was there. (There wasn't anyone there)
For the most part the just sort of emphasizes it in a the sense:
That is not _even_ famous.
It's actually just the same particle attached to the particle (or also the copula in form)
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "particle も"
}
|
When to use は instead of other particles
I have seen that acts as a sort of negation (or contrast) particle, although I'm not sure how it works, for example:
1) ****
2) ****
Is 1) the only correct sentence? Why? And what's the rule for using instead of other particles? I have tried searching a bit but I still can't seem to understand this.
Another example would be
1) ****
2) ****
Is 2) incorrect? Why? Are there any other cases where I should be aware of this?
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When you describe a general fact, a sentence of statement needs some topic parts, in short, "I don't have friends" translates to . ("My friend is not here" translates to **** as long as it's a general fact.)
On the other hand, what's newly discovered i.e "(emergency) My friend is missing!" is expressed without any topics as .
Third, you can rephrase (it's my friend that's not here) as , which is the same form as the above.
can be (1) a reply to question "How do you treat the fish?" or (2) an implication that you may eat other things but not fish.
is a reply to question "What would you save among these things". **Edit:** If you still say … instead, it implies that you anyway don't eat the fish and now the problem is what to choose from the rest.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "particles, particle は, topic"
}
|
What does 外野 mean here?
I came across a sentence that I don't quite understand:
> ****
I think I get _\--please correct me if I'm wrong!--_ the overall meaning (somebody compares noisy house pets to silent plants), but the bolded part confuses me.
Dictionaries say the word "" means "outfield", the other possible meaning is "outsider". I don't really get how it fits here though.
So I was wondering if anyone can help me shed some light on it?
* * *
UPD to add some context.
The guy (who is not very fond of pets) rambles about how no one is caring for the plants in the garden. And then this passage follows:
>
|
From this sentence alone, I can say this means "outsiders" or "people who are not directly involved".
(But I don't understand why someone would make noise or become nervous about just having a pet or a plant. If you're still unsure how it fits the context, please provide us with the context.)
**UPDATE:** Seeing the context, the guy is thinking that suddenly attracting people's attention () is undesirable. Animals (pets) can "get nervous" when they suddenly attract unnecessary attention from people (=) just because they are rare species. On the other hand, no matter how people pay attention to certain plants, plants cannot "get nervous" like animals. So in this context refers to capricious human beings in general who make fuss about random species even though they're usually very indifferent "outsiders".
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "meaning"
}
|
Difference between 決{き}める and 決{けっ}する?
I'm reading a text that has the word {}, and so far I've only seen {} to mean "decide". I've searched a few dictionaries and couldn't find the difference between the two. Is there a difference or nuance I'm missing?
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****
* a basic word that everyone knows
* basically a weak and casual word like "make a choice", but can also represent stronger decisions (like "make up one's mind"); for authoritative decisions we usually choose other words
>
> _I choose you! Pikachu!_
* **transitive** ; the intransitive counterpart is "be decided"
****
* a big, bookish word that wouldn't be uttered by a child
* means to make a conclusive settlement (usually, of _yes-and-no_ or _either-or_ ) through the decision
* transitive **or** intransitive
> _(it) determines the fate_
> _the fate will be determined_
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "word choice, words"
}
|
地図Bは南北を上下ではなく、左右に置いて、作ったものである
> B (source, line 11)
I understand the sentence as follows:
> Concerning map B, it is the card he made north and south not being top and bottom and put it left and right.
My main issue so far is that has no connector to it like form. The fact that is form doesn't make things easier. I could imagine that ... form one attribute for . could be, well, another addition, an adverbial phrase maybe, I struggle determining the syntactical function. "He made north and south not being top and bottom and put it left and right" I also have problems with the semantics of form in this context. simply chaining it kind of still works, but I feel like it should have an adversative meaning:
> He made north and south not being top and bottom, but put it left and right.
But I haven't learned so far that form would be allowed to use this meaning.
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Your instinct is not wrong. is equivalent to . This is a general rule: the form of an adjective (and in this case, as in most cases, and forms of verbs are treated as adjectives) is used (more often in written than in spoken Japanese) as equivalent to the form. The pattern A [] B , "not A but B", can often be rendered "B rather than A".
The sentence goes like this:
B Map B
is something that [unspecified subject] made
placing
North and South
not [at] top and bottom [but] to left and right
Since the subject is unspecified, I would use an English passive when translating. Thus:
Map B has been drawn with North and South to left and right rather than at top and bottom.
Hint: don't be misled by the punctuation mark . It doesn't always (or even often, I'd say) mark off a grammatically distinct section of a sentence.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "grammar"
}
|
What would be best to say at a 7 Eleven after I get my change?
I heard people say both Domo or Arigato? Wondering which would be best to use and what are the different situations where I should use one or the other. Also would it be inappropriate to use Arigato gozaimasu?
Thanks
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I personally say when I offer items to the counter. Anyway, or are fine.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "word choice"
}
|
Translation of 歯｛は｝磨｛みが｝きしてこよう in Yotsubato!
I am on Ch.82, Pg.29 of .
``as far as I know is volitional form of `` but I feel like the second sentence feels more like a command. Am I correct with my translation and usage of `` ?
|
> ****
> ****
> as far as I know is volitional form of but I feel like the second sentence feels more like a command.
As you might already know, the auxiliary can be used for (invitation) and also for an instruction () or a soft command (). It's often used by a parent or school teacher toward (a) young child(ren).
So I think the 1st sentence is literally like:
> "Now (you) kids should go to sleep, okay?" / "Alright kids, (why don't you) go to sleep now."
As for the 2nd sentence, is the volitional form () of .
consists of the te-form of + the subsidiary verb () , and here it means "(go) do something and come back". So the whole sentence can be like:
> "Let's go brush our teeth (and come back here)."
or
> "(You should) Go brush your teeth (and come back here)."
depending on the context. Here it seems to be the former since you can see walking along with the kids in the following frame and on the next page.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "verbs, manga, volitional form"
}
|
Is this sentence I wrote with 間に right?
>
"While she was reading the book, she burst into tears."
I was only taught the nagara structure, whose use is very limited. Since I needed a structure to express something that happens while another action is being performed, I had to use something else. I thought about aida ni. Is my sentence correct?
|
>
> I needed a structure to express something that happens while another action **is being performed**
In that case, I think you could say:
> ****
> "While (she was / I was / someone was) reading a book, she started crying."
* * *
Examples:
> ****
> While I **was sleeping** , I was bitten by a mosquito.
>
> ****
> While I **was taking** a shower, the phone rang.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "syntax, time, sentence"
}
|
What does she say in this dialogue?
What does the character "Historia" say in the dialogue in minute 1:41 of this video? I can only understand the first part but not the last words. She starts saying
> Ymir... watashi no namae ... Historia ...
Does she say her last name or something? I would have expected she says
> Historia desu
|
She says
>
> My name is Historia
* is used as a colloquial of
* is part of feminine speech (declarative) and softens
* can also be used in polite language
> =
but the situation isn't quite right for formal introductions (you shouldn't have expected here)
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "translation, names, anime"
}
|
Is there a universal (regardless of the context) way to say "already"?
JMDict lists several words for already marked as common:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Is there any difference between all these "already" words, and is there among them a "universal" one which can be used in any context?
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The answer would be ""
I'm not sure how many contexts it could be for the usage of "already" but here's just a few basic examples:
> I already ate = ****
>
> Oh, it's already 12? = **** 12
>
> We're already late = ****
>
> I already know that = ****
Hope it helps.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "usage, adverbs, word usage, pragmatics"
}
|
What word to use to refer to a manager at a gym/drug store?
According to JMDict there are so many words for a manager depending on the context. Can someone provide clarification on the context of each term? What is the most appropriate term for a gym manager or a drug store manager? Is the borrowed term widely accepted?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
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I'd say ` (Manager)` or ` (Store Manager)`. All the other words don't quite fit (except ` (Branch Store Manager)` or possibly ` (Department Manager)`).
Basically the list contains lots of various job titles (think "VP", "Head of X", "Chairman" etc).
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "pragmatics"
}
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What is more common pronunciation for 本文?
What is more common pronunciation for : or ? Is it geographically specific?
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What you'll use every day for _text body_ (main part of text) is . The reading is a jargon among historians (inherited more traditional pronunciation).
A similar example is . The daily pronunciation is , which means _document_ , while in paleographic context it reads , to mean _manuscript_ or particularly _epistle_.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "readings, multiple readings"
}
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What is て form at the end of sentences when it is not a request
I understand that the phrase ! means "I am sorry (and regret) that I made you wait". This statement does not look like a request. Why is a form and not past form used here?
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This seems to be simply a colloquial rearranging of the usual "grammatical" order
>
(see How do you say thank you for or sorry for?)
This happens all the time. Parts of the sentence are left out and put in after the more relevant parts have been said. For illustrative purposes one might take a very simple sentence and rearrange it to .
>
>
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "syntax, て form"
}
|
Why does the い-adjective require -さ conversion to match ～そうです？
I'm doing an example JLPT test, and I came across a sentence which required a blank to fill in. The correct version (according to the answer sheet) of the sentence is:
****
Now, another option, which seemed correct to me was:
****
Why is the 2nd form incorrect? I always thought I can just drop the and add to the stem. Why do I have to transform the adjective into noun here? Thanks for clearing that for me.
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You are right; -adjectives (except for negative - endings) do _not_ take a before .
is actually just irregular; it becomes . That's just the way it is.
Here's a complete list of conjugation rules for the - grammar pattern, quoted from Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese:
> 1. Verbs must be changed to stem.
> 2. The in i-adjectives must be dropped except for .
> 3. must first be conjugated to.
> 4. For all negatives, the must be replaced with .
> 5. This grammar does not work with plain nouns.
>
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, adjectives, suffixes"
}
|
The main differences between 特有 and 固有
I cannot differentiate the meaning of and . The following 2 sentences seem to be (roughly) identical in their meaning.
> A:
>
> B:
Both means:
> _Aikido is a martial art that is peculiar to Japan._
# Question
What are the main differences between and ? Please give me some examples.
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I'd translate like:
> A:
> _Aikido is a martial art that is **characteristic** to Japan._
>
> B:
> _Aikido is a martial art that is **indigenous** to Japan._
means something X that belongs to Y has unique feature not commonly seen in similar things that belong to others than Y; thus we can translate it as _special_ or _distinctive_. , on the other hand, tells X belongs to Y by nature and never to others; thus the translation will be _proper_ or _inherent_.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "meaning, word choice"
}
|
how can I analyze "満ちたりていたりした" to make sense?
I found the meaning of the phrase in the translated version. But I could not understand the structure of the sentence. If you have some idea, please toss me some hints.
Thanks for your reading.
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It may make more sense if it was written like this instead.
>
It's just the verb in form + in form + in past tense.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "meaning"
}
|
何でもきいてください in an interview
I have a Question -> Response exercise in my textbook. The context is a job interview at a convenience store. The final question from the store manager is below and I think he/she is saying "Well then, finally, about the convenience store work please ask anything you like"
Can somebody translate this for me please? Or confirm I am right?
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You're right. Your version is perfectly OK as a first-stage translation. But if you were translating this as part of a film script, say, and were trying to achieve natural-sounding dialogue, you might consider something like "And finally, is there anything you'd like to ask me about working in a convenience store?"
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": -1,
"tags": "grammar"
}
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using "natte'ta" in a sentence
in this sentence "natte'ta" is used:
"tsumetai ame zubunure ni natte'ta watashi ni"
i don't understand how the word "natte'ta" is used or its meaning. How would the word be translated to english and what tense is it in?
i'm really confused about the word
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is the casual abbreviated form of (see this chart). is the te-form of followed by the past form of the subsidiary verb for denoting progressive/continuous aspect. is this , and here it just means "to be". So literally means "I was being soaked with rain."
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "word choice, tense, sentence"
}
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Can two requests be made in one sentence using ください?
For example,
>
Or does this make little sense?
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Yes you can join two or more verbs using the te-form and say only once.
> * Please go home and have a sleep.
> * Eat, drink and have fun!
>
However, your example makes little sense to me, although it's grammatically correct. What is this sentence supposed to mean? "Please forgive and amend"?
**EDIT:** makes little sense mainly because lacks an object, and and do not share the same object (i.e. you want to say "forgive _me_ " and "correct _my Japanese sentences_ "). Using the te-form implies the two verbs are performed either in succession or at the same time, as one set. "Forgive-and-correct" is not one set action. In this case it's better to split the sentence into two: ""
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "て form"
}
|
遠のいちまう - what does it mean?
``
What does mean? I'd guess it has something to do with being far away but the grammar is completely incomprehensible to me. Is this literary usage, or youth slang, or something else?
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It's said in the masculine Edo/Kanto accent. is an intransitive verb meaning "to become distant," and is a subsidiary verb meaning "to end up". This contraction is common in fiction (especially middle-aged tough guys and delinquent youths use this). No one around me use in reality, but I think there are real people who use this actively in Kanto.
Related:
* - what form is this?
* What does mean?
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "phrases"
}
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What does 円分 mean after a number?
Is a counter after following a number, e.g. 500? ![enter image description here](
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If I'm understanding naruto's link correctly, the **** here means " **worth of** 500 yen". From the linked answer:
> 1 **** : a day's **worth of** food
To put it in context:
> Go
> _By using our members-only "beep-and-go" service, you get an electronic complimentary ticket as a present!_
>
> _By registering your driving license information_
>
> _Every time you use it, any number of times_
> ****
> _(a ticket) **worth of** 500 yen_
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "pragmatics"
}
|
Does ピッとGo mean anything?
Probably it is more cultural question than the language one, but I can't figure out if Go is just a name for the Times Car point program and does not mean anything or is a some kind of play of words.
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is a common onomatopoeia that describes a short beep sound. "Go" just means something like "Beep-and-go". I don't think it's a pun for something. Particularly, I don't think it's related to _pit_ as in _pit stop_.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "culture"
}
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How would I say "Japanese below"/"Japanese to follow"?
I'm wanting to create a bilingual social media account. I'm not sure how to say "Japanese below" (as in, under the first part which will be written in English) in a grammatically correct way. makes the most sense to me, but I'm not sure if that would the correct way to say 'Japanese to follow' in this context. Any insight would be appreciated, thank you.
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It was close, but the word order is wrong. "" means something like "below Japanese" or "worse than Japanese."
Instead, you can say "". For readability, you may want to add a comma after (""). Alternatively you can say "" (lit. "From here, (in) Japanese").
Note that these work only between the English part and the Japanese part, because refers to something right after it. If you want to say a similar thing before the English part , you can say something like "" (lit. "There is a Japanese version below").
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "translation"
}
|
What is the meaning of 片頬で笑う?
Does it describe that reserved sort of smile, when you slightly raise just one corner of your mouth?
Or a smirk?
Or is it an idiom that shouldn't be taken literally?
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means "one cheek" (one of a pair () + cheek () = one cheek ()). So, would mean to smile with only one side of your face (which I assume is what you meant in the first sentence of your question).
I don't think this on its own is an idiom, but after research I did find one idiom that contains the phrase: . It describes a man who only smiles like this very rarely (i.e. "once every three years") because smiling too much will damage his dignity.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "meaning, words"
}
|
Using 全員 （All students/All employees, etc.)
I'm often translating phrases like "All employees must register," or "All team members have made efforts to...," etc.
It's a really basic question and I apologize if it has been addressed before, but I always wonder if I should be saying, / / / What is the most natural way to express this? Does it depend on the situation?
And I guess a follow-up question would be, what exactly is the nuance between and and in what situations would one be correct and one be incorrect?
I often write but at best, it seems kind of clunky and at worst, just grammatically wrong.
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or sounds the most natural to me. Note you can do this with pretty much any noun, like . sounds redundant.
As for the difference between the use of - and -, the basic difference is that - means "all" and - means "each", I do believe the nuances of those two in English are similar. So you can use for something like All employees, gather in the meeting room. and like (All (each) employee, make sure to keep your desk tidy.).
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "nuances, modification"
}
|
Quiz question on keigo
While stumbling across Lucky Star episode 15 (26-second clip, from **8:51 - 9:17** ), I found that there was a scene where the characters were watching a quiz show, where one of the questions asked was on keigo:
> **** {}{}{}
>
> {}{} **{}**
>
> (The characters were all certain it was **{}** , but they all agree with **** later.)
Now, if I am not mistaken, is used when the act of going to a place involves the listener (eg. saying to one's boss, when asked to go to him) and is used when the movement is **not** related to the listener (eg. not the boss' company, country, home, etc.). I think both verbs are humble forms of .
* * *
**Why, then, is preferred as an answer to ?** Is there a nuance I am missing here?
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While there were many blog entries on keigo usage that said both and are for , all of the dictionaries I checked (, , , etc.) agreed that is a for **** , not .
So the quiz segment is technically correct, even though it seems like a lot of people think is also a for . This is probably because and are often interchangeable.
In terms of nuance in usage, I think the more important distinction is:
* humbles yourself in relation to the **listener**
* humbles yourself in relation to the **place** you're visiting (or **someone** who is there)
So you can say but not .
* * *
You can read more on the two types of , categorized by who the humbleness is directed toward.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "word choice, nuances, keigo, anime"
}
|
What does "うちはどちらですか" mean?
I am reading a little text, and I have some difficulties to understand. My Japanese level is far from JPLT5 to give you an idea.
This is the beginning of the text : (I used google to write so I hope there is no mistakes)
>
>
>
>
>
This is what I tried to translate from the beginning:
> Musuya is a photographer. He took pictures of mountains from Japan.
>
> Where are you from?
>
> I'm from Nagano. At Negano I bought an old Japan..
Well obviously something looks to be wrong, I hope he didn't buy a Japanese.. well so I suspect `` may means "where did you buy your camera" but there is not `` in the question so I'm absolutely lost.
Can someone help me please. I would be glad.
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I'm assuming your text is the same as behind this link. It's titled "I like Japan". It is an interview where everything after ― is probably what Musuya says.
The beginning of your translation was about correct.
> {}{}{}{} **** []{}
> _Musuya is a photographer. He took **a lot** of pictures of Japanese mountains._
However, {} can mean a home like here or just a house.
> ****
> _Where are you from? (Where is your **home**?)_
>
> …{} **{}** []{} **** []{}
> _...I bought an old **Japanese** **house** in Nagano._
As you can see, {} **** means "Japanese" and means "house" here.
The text after is probably part of the next question to Musuya, and not related to the text before it.
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stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "translation, meaning, words"
}
|
Help translating "やりかけの人生"
Hello Japanese StackExchange. I am humbly asking your help to translate a couple of song titles:
(Yari kake no jinsei)
and
(Natsu no hajime no imēji)
The artist is "Kimiko Kasai" and the album name is "Tokyo Special", if that is of any help.
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means "An Unfinished Life".
means "An Image of An Early Summer".
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "translation"
}
|
Using のに in a sentence, and expressing "third to last"
I'm writing a sakubun on when I arrived third to last in a race back when I went to middle school.
In my sentence I wanted to say: "Even if I didn't arrive last, since the last two girls stopped running in the middle and reached the finish line while walking, I felt just like I arrived last" (meaning: I felt extremely disappointed because my performance was a failure even if I never stopped running unlike the two other girls).
Does the sentence I wrote make any sense to you? Did I use right? Do you have any suggestions to improve my sentence? Moreover, what is the best way to say "third to last"?
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The way you use perfectly fits into this sentence, representing disappointment between the actual situation and your expectation. Your entire sentence is very naturally written too.
However,
>
only means "the last phase of the race", not"the last one in the race". You could use "the bottom (in a competition)" or "the lowest in rank" to refer to the status.
>
>
Also, there are many ways of saying "third to last", that are applicable in this scene, but each one has its own scope:
> * (for something has the first and the last in order)
> * (for something has the top and the bottom)
> * (just see above for this)
> * (...and this)
(* change the counter according to competitors' identity)
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "grammar, meaning, syntax, sentence"
}
|
Meaning of 「位置の平等」は難しい。
It's from line 14: < **** Literally, I'd translate the stuff in bold as "The equality of situation". Does the whole sentence then mean that its difficult to establish equality for every situation? In this case, the expression in bold could be translated as "situatitive equality" maybe?
It's not that this small phrase would be hard for me to understand grammatically, but I feel very unsure about the meaning I should extract from it xD
|
here is _fairness_. means _It's difficult to position a country while being fair to every other._
I think the idea that the author tries to convey is a bit strange but why not? People from the northern hemisphere are those who used maps first and they placed their countries above those of the southern hemisphere. That is not fair to those in the southern hemisphere. Why should they be below the northern hemisphere?
So to please everybody, why not have North and South swapped around with East and West. Then, Africa is above and Latin America is below. That's not fair either.
What should we do? Nothing. Just accept that a choice of representation has been done in your stead and lament the fact that .
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "expressions, phrases, semantics"
}
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Figurative meaning of 「総動員{そうどういん}する」 with 語彙{ごい}
Context: these are thoughts of the one who {} is teaching to play the guitar.
>
>
>
> []{} **** **** ****
The problem areas are marked **bold**. I understand that the one thinking finds Touma's behavior pleasant (although the actions are not polite...) and lists examples of it. I think I understand everything until the last one.
> * []{}: to speak ill of me
> * **** **** : her usually poor vocabulary?
> * **** : "mobilize" only for this time?
>
1. I don't understand how changes the meaning of . Is the vocabulary "poor as usual" or "usually poor but not this time"?
2. Related to the previous meaning, can in some contexts (maybe even here) mean "finding nice words" or is it like the previous sources of pleasure, "finding especially rude words"?
|
1. This is an exemplary case of the contrastive . So it means "usually, but not this time." "Poor as usual" would be something like "" or "." Overall meaning may not change with or without the contrastive , but it does add nuances and the sentence definitely sounds a lot better for its presence in this case.
2. "" means "to mobilize all the personnel of (a unit)," and on its own does not have anything to do with finding words, whether nice or rude. "" is indeed a figurative way of speaking, likening your vocabulary to an arsenal or army of words, the entirety of which is mobilized for the purpose of, in this particular case, verbally annihilating your opponent (who, somehow, seems to draw pleasure from it.)
(I should probably add that the phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, not limited to when insulting people. There's a lot of examples on google.)
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "translation, meaning"
}
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Question about [一騎当千]{いっ・き・とう・せん}
One of my dictionaries defines this (actually, ) as
> a matchless [an extremely mighty] warrior / a warrior who is strong enough to fight against as many as one thousand men.
My question is why was []{} used as the instead of []{}? Seems like it would have driven the point home a bit more.
(Of course I know speculation is off-topic, so etymological answers are what I'm looking for).
|
Goo dictionary says that .
That is to say, one person has fighting strength as much as one thousand people have. This means . This means and it would be appropriate for "correspond" in English words.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "definitions, kanji choice, yoji jukugo"
}
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About "tadashii", present or past
It's the literal translation of this line
> ****
> omae o **tadashii** to ukeireteita ore no kokoro ga yowakatta
"My heart was weak because accept that you are right" or "My heart was weak because accepted that you were right?" I understand that "tadashii" word it's in present form, past form it's "tadashii katta", right? Or there are any way to that word can be in past form in this line without change it?
It's the line in 28:59 to 29:04 in this video. youtube.com/watch?v=8o01LRQx7wM&t=366s Don't look the subtitules please.
|
Japanese is just like algebra:
The past tense (present tense A + present tense B)= past tense A + past tense B
I'll show you an example:
I thought I loved you in those days.
> Is the a present form in ""?
> Is the a present form in ""?
Yes, and are both expressed in a present form. I'll show you why.
We Japanese think "" is the present state at the time when accepted the state, because the state is judged not **by the absolute time axis but by the relative axis in Japanese**.
In other words, you have to ride on a time machine in Japan to interpret Japanese.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "て form, tense"
}
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日本人は日本語で番号を書くなら、アメリカの小数点かヨーロッパのを書きますの？
(1.0)(1,0)
:)
:D
:
|
Decimal mark1.0
1,0
![](
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "orthography, numbers, symbols"
}
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How to say "to know how to do something"
Is there a generic formula to express "to **know** how to do something"?
I know how to ask a question in the second person "How do you do something?", e.g.
> How do you write "Yasuda" in kanji?
I also know how to ask
> Can he write "Yasuda" in kanji?
but I am struggling to put it in the third person:
> Does he **know** how to write "Yasuda" in kanji?
|
It's , generally, to know how to do something is ….
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "translation, word requests"
}
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Are なぬand ぬぬ like slangy/cute ways to say なに？
When I say them out loud, it makes sense like someone in english saying "wuuut" instead of "what?", but that mostly applies to written casual conversation I guess. Anyway is this correct or is it something else?
|
is an exclamation to tell surprise, like "No way!" It's probably related to , but has lost most of its interrogative nuance. It doesn't sound particularly cute, but a bit old-fashioned and perhaps dialectal, thus mostly used by a modern speaker to add some comical tone rather than a serious surprise.
isn't a meaningful word, instead
1. a way to spell out grunt, or the sound you utter when you're too shocked to answer anything back. = , , etc.
2. a way to spell out nasal sound you utter to yourself to show a light doubt. "uh?", "huh?" = , ,
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "words, internet slang"
}
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何が「The lady doth protest to much, methinks」の日本語の対等なの？
The lady doth protest to much, methinks
|
According to this reference:
> {}{}{}
This version does not include the word "doth", hope it works OK for you anyway (apparently not all versions of the Hamlet have it).
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "phrase requests"
}
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「動詞辞書形＋な」はどういう意味ですか。
I came across this sentence when reading an essay
> ****
What is the meaning of here? I understand to either mean
(1) Don't do the action of the verb. ie _Don't do that!_
(2) Nothing too specific, just softening a phrase, similarly to how 'la' 'leh' 'lor' etc are used in Singapore English.
I don't understand the rest of the sentence fully either, but I'm not sure whether in this case the is either case (1), (2) or something else I may be ignorant too.
|
It's (1). The is a negative imperative particle, since (= Quotative + ) follows an imperative phrase or sentence.
Imperative phrase/sentence + is an expression for saying "( _lit_ ) It's unreasonable to tell me/us/someone to do~~." i.e. "You can't expect me/us/someone to do~~!", implying "Of course I/we/someone do/can not~~."
>
> ( _lit_ ) It's unreasonable to tell me not to feel disturbed/uncomfortable, isn't it?
> → You can't expect me not to feel disturbed/uncomfortable, right?
> Implying: "(If you keep talking to me / calling me so many times, then) I will feel disturbed, of course! / it's quite natural that I should feel disturbed!" (≂
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "grammar"
}
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Translating a sentence containing によって
>
>
>
I understand the overall meaning of these sentences, but I'm rather confused about how I should translate in this context.
|
>
_I'll get home after dropping in at the supermarket._
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "grammar, translation"
}
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How to ask someone in a phone call to pass the phone to someone else?
Example in English:
You are on the phone with John, and you know that Mary is in a room with him, you may say "Can you put on Mary, please?".
Is there an idiom for this request in Japanese?
|
We usually say
>
> Can you put Mary on the phone?
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "idioms"
}
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is "koesou" some conjugation form of the verb koeru?
is "koesou" some conjugation form of the verb koeru? If so, which one? I can't find it in this conjugation table for japanese verbs conjugation of japanese verb koeru
|
Searching for the lyrics to this song online, it appears to be . This suffix means "seemingly" or "appears to be". So it would mean "seems that I can cross over".
This suffix attaches to the "stem" of a verb; that is, the part before the (there are technical names for these parts, but I won't get into that here). So the itself is not any conjugation of , just the part.
> () → →
Some other examples of this
> * → Seems like it's going to rain
> * → The book looks like it's gonna fall from/off the table
> * → The food looks delicious (*you can attach this to adjectives as well)
>
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": -1,
"tags": "verbs"
}
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what does the particle "de" means when it comes after a verb?
As far as I know, the particle "de" is used to mean "at" or "in" , and also "by" , "with", "within" , "by means of" , and also "in total" , "for", "made of", but almost all times I've seen it, it comes after a noun. Then, what does it means when it comes after a verb?
For example in the sentences,
> Hitori de wa, tooi ashita wo
>
> Yoake no mama de, koesou de
|
What is "Yoake no mama"? ? I can't get the context or meaning.
> koesou de sounds like a short of .
So this is a part of lyrics of a song from TM revolution? You should have warned that since Japanese lyrics of a pop song often makes little sense even for the native speakers.
It seems the lyrics in non-romaji are as follows
faraway tomorrow if it's only me,
it seems I pass it(tomorrow) while it's still dawn
Semantically that's all. I don't know what it is supposed to mean.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "particle で"
}
|
what means "評価欲しさに来る?
This is a line of dialogue Shingeki no kyojin S2 05:
>
what means "? In general, when is used?
|
>
> what means " ****?
You're not parsing it correctly, I'm afraid. modifies , not . So the phrase you should be looking at is , "received a training only for evaluation".
> ≂ /
So the whole sentence means "Someone who can't even assess/control his own physical condition ended up receiving a training {which he shouldn't have participated in}, only from a desire to get (favorably) evaluated / just for evaluation (or a grade/approval/admiration)." As you can see, the reason for (he shouldn't have come) is (he is incapable of assessing/controlling his own physical condition).
* * *
XX + means "(only) for XX", "(only) from a desire to get/obtain XX." Examples:
> * **** I did something I shouldn't have done, _(only) from a desire to gain_ fame / a reputation.
> * []{} **** marry a man I don't like _just for_ money
> * **** []{} butter up the director _to get_ the major role (in a drama or movie)
>
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "meaning"
}
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Meaning of 「かくや（という）」
A quote from 80:
> ****
> _It seemed like a vast frozen lake._
I'm guessing the is this one, but I don't understand how the works. Could this be a set phrase?
|
It's short for , which is one of the fixed expressions from archaic Japanese.
* : "like this"
* : archaic question marker (eighth definition here; grammatical rule here and here)
* ( in historical kana usage): ("to be") + ("to seem; should"). → "should be; to seem to be"
So in modern Japanese, it's or .
is used to give an unrealistic/extreme analogy (, , ). Your sentence is a typical example of ().
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "particles, set phrases, archaic language, particle や"
}
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Help regarding 義理
In a the video game Tales of Destiny 2, the character Judas says to the protagonist Kyle:
>
Under a rather literal translation:
> Whatever outcome you choose, I have no obligation to say this or that. But I can give you advice.
But this doesn't seem to make sense. here appears to have meaning close to , but the closest I can find in the dictionary is sense 2, which doesn't really seem satisfactory.
Here's the full context:
> ………
|
doesn't mean , while may mean something closer to (sense 2). In this context means , , or more simply, . The basic meaning of the sentence is "There is no reason why I can command you, but I can at least advise."
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "words, usage"
}
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だからって and ってだけで difference
I come across and quite often and I understand both of them as "only because", but I can't grasp the difference in nuance between the two.
|
-- colloquial/collapsed way of saying
() -- colloquial/collapsed way of saying ()
These can often be translated the same way ("only because..."), but they are not always interchangeable. For example...
> () **** /
> × /
> (Someone) is popular only because she's pretty.
> **** /
> ? () /
> (Someone) is pretty doesn't always mean she is popular.
/ meaning "only because~~" is usually followed by a phrase with a negative meaning, as in the common expressions **** , **** (so sounds strange).
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "word choice, usage"
}
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来て and 来てくれ differences?
If I understand right, those 2 are imperative forms of the verb to come. What are the differences?
|
Japanese has many levels of politeness etc. and therefore very many ways to make requests.
Here are some in order of politeness.
> = Come!
> = Come.
> = Do me the favor of coming.
> = Please come.
> = Could you please do me the favor of coming.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "nuances"
}
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Clarifying a passage containing ちょっと待てよと思った from がばいばあちゃん
I want some help clarifying a passage from , specifically in chapter 1, page 13.
The preceding text is about sad events which lead to his father's demise. Then it follows:
> __
After that, the narrator tells of how he asked news of his father's condition when the latter was hospitalised.
I assume the text in _italics_ is addressing the reader. My reading is '[When I was writing about this sad story] I was thinking you should hang on for a bit until I've grown up [because there are happy events afterwards]'. I guess the ~... is telling the reader to wait until the narrator has grown up (in the story).
Is this the correct reading? If someone could clarify or correct me, I would appreciate it.
* * *
**Context:**
>
> ……
>
>
>
>
> ****
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> (Source: , )
|
In
> ,
the writer is reciting a moment when, after he had grown up, while he was reminiscing about or retracing the course of events leading up to his father's death, he stumbled on some detail thitherto unconsidered that might potentially change his perspective on the whole thing, and that made him go, "Hey, waaaaait a second."
Now with this understanding does the following literal translation make more sense?
> It's a touching story... However! When I became an adult, I thought, "Wait a sec!"
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "translation"
}
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Did I use として correctly?
"My dad gave me chocolate as a gift."
Can I use in this context?
|
Correct.
But if the chocolate is totally appropriate as souvenir, just saying is enough. can carry a nuance of "as a substitute" or "as a thing that it's not intended for."
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, words"
}
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What is the difference between ～ていてください and ～ていってください?
a. ****
b. ****
What's the difference between these two sentences? How to translate them?
|
> a. ****
I believe this is standard - (sometimes called progressive tense), i.e.
> "Please be relaxed/take it easy" [and stay that way].
* * *
> b. ****
`` has several possible interpretations:
1. conjugation of - (changing state)
> "Please relax/become relaxed"(?)
Although i think - is mostly used in descriptions (e.g. ``) and not much in requests so this one is unlikely IMO.
2. (most likely) conjugation of ‐ (do an action and leave/opposite of -):
> "Please take it easy [before you have to go]"
3. conjugation of ‐, but it doesn't really work in this example IMO.
4. a few more options like ,, but these are even less plausible
For more info:
* Difference between - and -
* The use of ""
* What is a subsidiary verb?
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "translation, word choice, nuances, verbs, subsidiary verbs"
}
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Translating a sentence with the て form
I'm not sure how I should translate this sentence. The text where I found it describes the life of a japanese guy who graduated from a japanese university and then was hired by a japanese firm.
|
The key is 2 "in the second year". The sentence means "In the second year after entering the bank, [he] studied at an American university". I'd go for something like "In his second year with the bank he went [presumably was sent] to study at an American university". Possibly even "He spent his second year with the bank studying at a university in America".
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "grammar, translation, て form"
}
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Is interjection ねえ、ねえ gender agnostic?
Is used by males, females or both?
|
Used by both sexes though it may sound feminine.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 6,
"tags": "gender"
}
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「ので」のように、「のに」も略せますか？
|
→
→
Very colloquial and informal but possible. But you should avoid this if you are not very fluent speaker.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "colloquial language, particle の, conjunctions, abbreviations"
}
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Difference between 必死で走る and 必死に走る
I understand that in these expressions the isn't a particle (I think it indicates the adverbial form of a na-adjective) but I'm not sure what is:
> ****
> _run like crazy_
> ****
> _run like hell_
According to this answer it's ungrammatical to use to make na-adjective adverbial. Still, the English translation is almost the same but the one with is stronger.
|
both sound perfectly fine to me, and I believe these are both grammatically correct.
* * *
> I understand that in these expressions the isn't a particle (I think it indicates the adverbial form of a na-adjective)
I think you're right. According to , is a /na-adjective, so it conjugates to its /continuative form to modify the /conjugatable word .
* * *
> but I'm not sure what is... it's ungrammatical to use to make na-adjective adverbial.
In , is also categorized as a noun. So the here is a case particle/, and is used in the sense of:
>
> **** **** ... **** ****
>
* * *
> the English translation is almost the same but the one with is stronger.
don't really sound different to me... I wouldn't find it wrong if the _crazy_ and _hell_ were swapped :D
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "grammar, na adjectives"
}
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Why is に used in the sentence 大ピンチに勝機が見えた?
Why is there a particle here? I dont see it fitting any of the roles I know for it (indirect object, indicating a source or agent, frequency, a specific point in time, purpose, direction of action, location of existence..)
|
There are two possible interpretations. One is a specific point in time, that is, "in (the moment of) the crisis".
The other is a marker to indicate the background for the object in your view. e.g. (1) **** : a pattern is seen ~~against~~ **on** the wall. (2) **** : clouds that manifest **against** the sunset.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "particle に"
}
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Meaning of 相当おしゃれしてる
After a discussion on the fact that and can only meet once a year:
>
> From morning, princess Ori ?????
>
> It's probably really tough.
I can't figure out what means. I suspect it's some sort of thing but it's beyond me.
|
() means "to make up and/or dress up" is the present progressive of . to a great extent
> I suspect it's some sort of thing
No.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "keigo, reading comprehension"
}
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Meaning of Japanese slang phrase「モロです」?
Can somebody provide a explanation of the meaning of the term as used in the phrase ? I see references describing / as an adverb meaning "completely" or "totally" but that doesn't seem to be the sense of the word being used here.
Example sentences gleaned from the web:
1) ! (in reference to an element of a drawing that is mildly scurrilous and presumably is unacceptable)
2)
From the above, I infer that the meaning is something similar to or but it would be nice to have a more solid definition. My thanks to anyone who can help!
|
This comes from and it means "directly" or "head-on." It's a slangy word. More contexts are needed to tell what these example are supposed to mean. But the first one sounds like the drawing is exposing something which is not supposed to be exposed (" _directly_ exposed").
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "meaning, slang, definitions, internet slang"
}
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Is term 神経の鈍い (insensitive) common?
Is term {}{} commonly used to describe a direct person?
|
> Is term (insensitive) common?
For "insensitive (person)", I think []{}[]{} are quite common. (or) or just would also be fine. (Some people may use (or) but this might sound a bit old-fashioned.)
> Is term commonly used to describe a direct person?
I don't think so. For "direct (person)", I think []{} or would be more common.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "terminology"
}
|
Some clarification on ~いたりもする and ~いそうな
I'm currently reading (Hai to Gensou no Grimgar) and currently having trouble with these sentences:
## 1)
> ****
Which I read it as: _Flowers where offered in front of **(some of)** the stones._ (For reference there are a lot of gravestones around)
I've read about the use of `~` from Tae Kim but I dont understand it in this sentence in regards to what the `` and `` are doing to the sentence.
**Question:** Have I parsed this wrong or have I missed something basic?
## 2)
> ****
The English novel adaption of this is: _An excessively large, but seemingly quiet, man let out a low groan._
I understand how it comes about this result, but the **``** part kinda gets me a little. I know how `` works in general but the use of `` just before slightly confuses me.
**Question:** Once again wondering if I have missed something here?
Many Thanks,
Archie
|
> Flowers were offered in front of (some of) the stones. (For reference there are a lot of gravestones around)
Correct. And if there is one stone, "sometimes there are flowers in front of ~"
>
as if there is (edit: this means just "looking like" with the . Is this the reason why it's translated as "seemingly quiet"?) is a of
>
big and obviously, apparently (I wonder whether "seemingly" is a correct translation.)
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation, meaning, nuances, definitions, sentence"
}
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Difference between 時に、時は、時には
I am having a hard time figuring these out, it turns out that I get corrected by native speakers a lot, when I use one of them, they will correct me saying that another particle should be used instead.
>
>
>
>
>
At this point I am completly at lost in how different these should be, one guess would be that should be when I wanna talk what happens in that "moment" and when I wanna talk about that "moment" directly.
If my example is bad, please use a better one for exaplining the matter.
ps: The only related answer I found was this What is the difference between and but it didn't clear out much for me, honestly.
|
I'll show you the difference by some examples like:
> 1. ****
> 2. ****
> 3. ****
> '. ****
>
The sentence example 1 is a normal expression, which means _when I go to college, it rains_.
**** in the example 2 is a topic marker, and **** in the former sentence is contrasted, in this example, to **** in the following sentence by the use of **** instead of ****. The whole meaning of the example 2 would be " _In contrast to the other case, it rains when I go to college. But, it would not rain when I don't go there_ ".
**** in the example 3 is used to give the sentence a certain condition or situation; in this sentence the condition is the time when I depart to college. The meaning of the sentence example is that " _As for the time, it will rain when I go to college, (though it's not raining now)._
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "particles, particle に, particle は"
}
|
使った「日語」はいつからですか？
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "words, etymology"
}
|
|
Confusion about motion towards/away from speaker
I read this question and the first sentence has been bothering me:
> 1) **** **** ...
> Today I will drink so I didn't go by car, but ...
I would have expected either:
> 2) **** **** ...
> Today I will drink so I didn't come by car, but ...
> 3) **** **** ...
> Today I drank so I didn't go by car, but ...
So, I understand and to be motion relative to the speaker's current location. I think the original sentence is strange because with the 'going' is finished. The fact that he will later drink alcohol is irrelevant. Whereas with the 'coming' is complete and he is now **at** the place where he will drink.
Does sentence 1) make sense? If so where is the speaker when he is saying it? Can you please explain any misunderstanding I have?
|
It's possible if the speaker says it after returning from the place where they drank beer. And I believe the English translation should be "I didn't go by car (but by another means) because I would drink some alcohol today".
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "grammar"
}
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What is a ladder-like practice tool called in Japanese?
I often find a ladder-like practice tool as shown in the following figure in many dojos or sport halls in Japan.
![ wall bars](
What is it called? As a bonus, what is it for?
|
I believe these are _rokuboku_ "wall bars".
As to what they are for... to climb up and down. More info on Japanese or English Wikipedia.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "word choice, sports"
}
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Meaning of どんな+Noun+も where the Noun isn't a WH word?
While watching a video, I came across the quote:
> ―
For '' I first thought of the literal translation 'also what kind of darkness', but this made no sense in the context since it would add a question in a declarative statement.
My second thought was 'any darkness' to give the translation:
> You're wrong! Kingdom Hearts is a heart that can erase any darkness. It's light!
However, I feel like this use of + with a regular noun is wrong.
|
Your second thought is correct; + noun + can be used to mean "any" or "any kind of".
>
> I will not give in to any kind of temptation.
You can use it with both nouns and verbs (in - form). A common expression using this pattern with a verb is , meaning "no matter what":
>
> I'm not going to give up no matter what!
I also think it is more common to see this pattern with - rather than just -.
>
> Any phone is fine as long as it's cheap.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "grammar, meaning"
}
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Meaning of 運命とはわからない
> ****
> Maruko's octopus balloon ended up touching a sharp part of a Tanabata decoration and burst with a tremendous sound, so ????
I'm confused about . I thought was used when giving a definition. So this would be "..so Maruko doesn't understand (the definition/meaning of) fate".
I think this translation must be wrong because I don't see how it can be a consequence () of the events described.
|
Here doesn't mean "someone is not able to understand" but works as if an adjective that means "not understandable". So the translation would be like,
>
> _(What) the fate (is) is inexplicable_
This usage is but an extension of perhaps more familiar wordings as follows:
> _what is essential is invisible to the eye_
>
> _the impact to economy is considerable (not negligible)_
Also, `[story] [comment]` is an idiomatic(?) construction that effectively expresses the nuance of " _[story]_ , which explains how _[comment]_ " or "considering _[story]_ , it is indeed _[comment]_ ".
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "particle と, reading comprehension"
}
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Difference between なくては and なくてはいけない
What's the exact difference between and ?
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#
* (unless) + (not good) = necessary
* Connects to a verb to mean that you must verb
> {} ****
> _I **have to** sleep._
#
* Doesn't have
* Can imply on its own, usually in the form of **** :
> {} ****
> _I **gotta** go._ (lit: **If I don't** go.)
* Almost always used with a negative verb, but can also work like this:
> {}{} **{}**
> _You **must** keep to your agreement._ (lit: I'll be **troubled if you can't** keep to your agreement.)
* When used with kanji **{}** , doesnt usually attach _to_ a verb and usually defines _what_ can't be done:
> {} **{}{}**
> _I **cannot do without** this dictionary._ ~~(it's the truth)~~
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "meaning, expressions, set phrases, phrases"
}
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What's the 日本語 equivalent of "~ism"? (ex. Capitalism, Catholicism, Marxism, etc.)
What's the Japanese equivalent of the English conjugation "~ism"? Like in things like Capitalism, Socialism, Islamism, Catholicism, Liberalism, Atheism, etc.?
|
and are good candidates.
* Capitalism --
* Socialism --
* Islamism --
* Catholicism --
* Liberalism --
* Existentialism --
* Idealism --
* Altruism --
* Egoism --
* Atheism --
* Polytheism --
* Relativism --
* Spiritualism --
* Materialism --
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "words, syntax"
}
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Writing a sentence with ば〜ほど
I want to say something like: The more time passes, the more I understand that the most important thing is working hard.
Is my sentence in any way correct? Did I use right?
Thank you
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> ****
> The more time passes, the more I understand that the most important thing is working hard.
Use the dictionary form (or, the attributive form) []{}, as in **** , not . ([]{} is the potential form of .)
would make sense, but to sound more natural (avoiding using twice) I think you could say...
> / /
> /
Alternatively, you could use Verb + (), for example:
> ****
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, meaning, words, sentence"
}
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Is 土方 a common term for a "construction worker"?
In American English "construction worker" can refer to any manual labor worker at a construction site. Is {} a common term to refer to such person in Japan?
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is a common word, but if you want a neutral term that is usable in news articles, essays and such, (/) is better.
tends to have a negative/derogatory undertone, and we never see it used in government documents and such. Basically I always refrain from referring to someone as . Some broadcasting companies even have explicitly prohibited it as a discriminatory word.
>
>
Related: In what type of social settings could one say "{}"?
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 9,
"question_score": 9,
"tags": "terminology"
}
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Comparing the "severity" of words of amount, degree, etc
I'm looking for lists of words/phrases of degree, ordered by how strong they are relative to each other.
For an example in English, I ran across this research recently: <
I was wondering if there are any similar lists for:
1. Degree... etc
2. Amount... etc
3. Frequency... etc
4. Severity/strength... etc
5. Surety... etc
By the way, I see a lot of questions about pairs of words on this list, i.e. "is this word more or less on the degree scale than this"... so if a good answer can be found that has a bunch of examples hierarchicalized, it might answer a lot of future questions all at once. :-)
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> Degree... etc
**/**
As for the degree of temperature, we say like / for _it's hot a little_ / _it's cold a little_.
> Adverbs to describe the degeree of hotness/coldness are like:
> **** ≒ ≒ ≒ **** ≒ ≒ ≒ / **** ≒
Hierarchicalized adverbs written in the above list could be applied commonly to express the degree of amount, frequency, severity/strength and surety except for some adverbs. The typical exception is , that is used only in severity or in something like that.
Amount... ?(← obsolete word) **** etc
Frequency... etc
Severity/strength... ? ? etc
Surety... ? ? **** **** etc
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "words, expressions, linguistics, pragmatics"
}
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Why is there no past tense in this sentences predicative?
**** **** => "Because I came around just now, I don't hear that story yet."
I'm confused because in the subclause **** there is past tense, and in the main clause there is present tense. I know that in japanese it's a bit difficult with tenses for us and that they don't have the same understanding about tenses like we have in english etc.. But since doesn't seem to represent the result of "hearing", e.g. "knowing" < I have trouble interpreting this construction.
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It is pretty much the same as in English.
> I just arrived now, so I am not aware of what's going on.(PAST/PRESENT)
OR
> I just got here, so I didn't hear about it yet.(PAST/PAST)
There are many ways to say what you want.
The sentence is in the present, but is in the past because it explains that his action of arriving here is already over, but the action of hearing the story has yet to come, so not in the past.
Is is also possible to have the verb to hear in the past tense too if you want to put emphasis on the fact that you didn't hear it until now.
>
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, tense"
}
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Is this と (particle) + したら or is it "としたら"
It's an exercise from my textbook where I have to fill in a word from a list. The list is: , , , , , .
The sentence in question is as follows:
> _______ ****
I don't think that + could make any sense here, but my textbook hasn't taught me the word < yet so I can't rule it out. That's why I'm asking you what you think.
I would insert here and translate the sentence as follows: "If it happens that I exit the train, unfortunately the door will close."
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is obviously the verb you want, but I think the exercise must expect you to put it into the tentative form, . , "When I made to get off", "Just as I was going to get off", would make sense here. I expect you know the rule:
> Tentative form + = make as if to do, be about to do, be going to do, be on the point of doing, try [unsuccessfully] to do.
For example:
> * , "just as I was about to get into the bath [the telephone rang]"
> * 10 "[Radio announcer] It's just coming up to ten o'clock"
> * "I tried to open the window [but it was jammed]".
>
So your completed sentence would mean "Just as I was going to get off the train, the door closed" (or maybe "the damned door" to convey the irritation expressed by )
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "grammar, words"
}
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What is the difference between '割り引き' and '割引'?
What is the difference between '' and ''? Both pronounced as 'waribiki',meaning 'discount'.
Can somebody kindly advise, thanks.
|
**** is the orthographically recommended form to represent the _noun_ that means "discount".
**** is the recommended form to represent the of the _verb_ "to discount". It's most likely to be used as a part of the polite form e.g. .
I wrote "recommended" because this part of Japanese orthography (1, 2) tolerates a certain degree of freedom (Japanese orthography isn't technically compulsory either, but it's another problem).
* * *
Below is the frequency data from BCCWJ for your information:
* Noun
* : 1371
* : 45
* : 38
* Verb (-)
* : 5
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "meaning, word choice"
}
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Usage and meaning : 寝ろ vs 寝てろ?
?
After some probing I came across this but it doesn't answer the difference between usage of and form.
What I did come to know is, is a compact form of which is imperative/command form of . All in all, is something like a command to sleep (or be in state of sleep or keep sleeping?) Why is the progressive form used here? What kind of subtlety does it add?
|
This type of is called a subsidiary verb, and what it means roughly depends on the context and the verb type. For details, see: When is V the continuation of action and when is it the continuation of state?
is an ordinary action verb like , or . It's not an "instant state-change (aka punctual)" verb like , or . This means when (the te-form of ) is followed by (the imperative form of ), it usually means the **continuation** of the action (i.e., "be ing"). So means "Be sleeping" or "Keep sleeping", while just means "Sleep." or "Go to bed."
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 10,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "grammar, verbs, manga, aspect, imperatives"
}
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Level name: is my completion guess right?
Kaizo Mario World 3 has a level called `NABANA NO SATO`. I tried to interpret it as Japanese, since it's clearly not English and it is in an English version so the only logical guess was it wasn't translated from it Japanese original. But I could not make sense of `NABANA` as is in any way. So I guessed it is a "cropped" `HANABANA`, and so the Kanji are ``, that is "Village of flowers". But the level has no flowers. So did I guess correctly? Could the "flowers" be the munchers of which the level is full? Or is there a way to make sense of just `NABANA NO SATO`, and if so what is the Kanji spelling of it?
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This is in Japanese (source), and it seems to refer to a botanical garden located at Nagashima Town, Mie Prefecture (official site). BTW, I believe this garden is not really well-known to Japanese people. And according to this page, was named after , which is the name of a "local vegetable" of Mie Prefecture. This in turn is a reference to . So it's short for not but . (We sometimes drop , but omitting the first character of doesn't make sense.)
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation, kanji"
}
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Difference in use of words implying "decrease" or "decline"
For example, what is the difference between and ? Would prefer an answer in English.
And also which one is more correct? **** or ****
Also, are there other ways to say reduce or decrease?
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is usually used as an intransitive verb and means "get smaller in volume/number". For example, (The population of Japan is getting smaller).
is a transitive verb and means "cut", "reduce", "curtail". For example, (Many companies must want to reduce labor cost).
and are appropriate for prices, so is natural.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "meaning, て form"
}
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Why 浴衣 is pronounced ゆかた, and why pronunciation ゆ and かた for kanji 浴 and 衣 are not listed in 国語辞書?
{} is a very common word. Why is it pronounced , and why the corresponding pronunciations for the kanji and are not listed in ? Pronunciation of yù is mentioned only in , but I cannot find pronunciation for explained anywhere.
|
Well, it's ateji. (bathing) + (clothes) = (bathing clothes).
(the pronunciation itself) is actually an abbreviation for the word {}, which of course is a compound of {} + {}. Etymologically, is from {} + {} (a cognate of {}), but its kanji too are ateji.
A was an unlined bast fiber worn by the rich in the summer. was from the Heian era and was used to dry off the body, since bath towels weren't used in Japan at the time. By the Edo period, cotton became preferred over hemp and ramie (the original bast fibers used) because it was softer, more absorbent, and was abundant. It was at this point that was abbreviated to and was given its new ateji characters, . Nowadays they are used for more than just bathing, but that was their original purpose.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "etymology"
}
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Value of が at the end of interrogative sentences
I know there are other questions on this site about and at the end of a sentence, but I couldn't find one about interrogative sentences. Context: in a manga, person A said something that his friend (person B) interpreted as a joke. The dialogue continues as follows:
> Person A:
>
> Person B:
I don't understand the meaning of the second sentence. In particular, I don't understand why there's a negative verb and the value of . Was something left out? I feel like there could be a after . Person A in the manga is a reserved type, so I thought it could be translated as:
> "Weren't you the type that doesn't say 80% of his true feelings?"
Is my guess right?
|
That is a subject marker, and the corresponding predicate is omitted.
> A: 8
>
> B: 88?
> The person who doesn't say his true feelings 80% of the time (says that much truth this time)?
But it would be too wordy if you tried to translate this literally, so your translation attempt seems fine to me.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, particles, particle が, interrogatives"
}
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Confirm meaning of phrase 隙を与える
The phrase in the title, , comes from p. 167, ch. 13.
The full sentence is (I don't have a Japanese IME on this computer. As it's a public computer, I can't install one.) This is quoted text; the speaker is the in question.
My reading of the sentence is: I will give the burglar an opportunity to change their mind (i.e. not rob the house).
Is this correct. Does the mean 'give an opportunity'. Please clarify.
|
> {}{}{}{}
> I will give the burglar an opportunity to change their mind.
**Edited:**
Close!
The pronoun of the sentence is , so it would be interpreted like:
> _Granny is giving the thief a chance or an opportunity to mend their ways._
* * *
**Original:**
Close!
Why do you think the is the plural form?
_Granny is giving the thief a chance or an opportunity to repent his past._
I think, she can have enough power to change only one man's mind, but not a group of thieves.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation"
}
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Meaning of 致命的な矛盾を抱えた
The full sentence is:
Checking the dictionary for and , I only found "fatal" and "contradiction" or "inconsistency", resulting in something like: while there are fatal inconsistencies, we are living peaceful days.
But this doesn't really seem to fit in context (this sentence appeared after a short summary of past events, none of which are really "fatal inconsistencies" or contradictions), so is there something I missed entirely about the meaning of this sentence?
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literally means _fatal_ or _deadly_ , but it often just means _critical_ , _crucial_ (e.g. mistake), etc.
For example usually means a "critical mistake" (e.g. in an exam), and it does not necessarily mean a mistake that literally threatens someone's life.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 8,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "meaning"
}
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How to express a comparison between two elements in two different fields
It can seem a trivial question but I am quite struggling. I would like to translate a sentence form like this one:
> _**[noun1]** is more/less **[adjective1]** than **[noun2]** is **[adjective2]**._
|
You can turn the adjectives into nouns and compare them like such.
> [noun1] **__** [adjective1] **__** [noun2] **__** [adjective2] **__** ___
For example:
> **** []{} **** **** []{} **** []{}
>
> John's cleverness is more impressive than Mary's beauty.
or could be written as:
> **[]{}**
> **/** **[]{}**
> **** () **[]{}**
>
> John's cleverness exceeds Mary's beauty.
using the verb "to exceed". This way still shows that the best way to compare two elements in different fields is to turn them into nouns and use them as such.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 7,
"question_score": 8,
"tags": "syntax, comparative constructions"
}
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Difference between すぐに and すぐさま
Can anyone please tell me the exact difference between and ?
|
* is far more common. In BCCWJ there are more than 13000 examples of (excluding examples of ), while there are only 685 examples of .
* sounds more literary and emphatic. In conversation is rarely used.
* This is not a strict rule, but tends to refer to something more immediate. For example, can mean the medicine takes effect in a few hours or even days (as long as the speaker feels it's quick), but would usually mean it takes effect in no longer than an hour.
* is also a noun that works as a so-called no-adjective. You can say **** , **** , and so on.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar, adverbs"
}
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Confirm meaning of 水を張った大きな箱
The phrase in question comes from p.167, ch. 13.
I think means a box filled with water (and tofu, as it says elsewhere in the text).
I'm a little confused because I thought is used with to say 'spreading ice' or 'forming ice'.
Please clarify.
|
has 27 meanings in this dictionary.
What you already know is this,
> **** ―
while the one you see is this:
> **** ―
This usage typically co-occurs with "water", but applicable to any (clear) liquid.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "translation"
}
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What do these Japanese characters mean?
Sorry, but cannot find it. Could you tell what does it mean?
And which symbol is correct writing on keyboard?
Can i type it?
 it is read "ichi ban" and it means "number one" in the sense of "best".
Could be also just indicate the number one, but in this case since I see the writing "Japan" below it I suppose is from a souvenir and hence the meaning is probably as I said in the beginning.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": -1,
"tags": "translation, meaning"
}
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"国籍" refers to nationality or the country of citizenship?
As I pointed in the title. What is the correct answer to . Is it, for example, Japanese or Japan. I am confused because I found contradictory translations when I tried to look on the internet. Thank you.
|
means "country", so we say , not . To have means "to be Japanese".
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 3,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "translation, meaning"
}
|
「どうあろうと」と「どうあっても」 の違いは何ですか
In this example sentence from the manga Death Note,
" **** "
When I looked for the meaning on weblio it suggested as meaning the same thing? My Rikaikun doesn't come with an answer for but it knows , are they roughly the same meaning?
Thank you for your help!
|
No matter how () would be
No matter how () is
I think the semantic difference is small in the context.
>
This part baffles me as to the meaning of the whole sentence. did the detective work?
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar"
}
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けん in 佐賀 dialect
I have encountered a number of passages with in . I'm not quite sure what it means exactly. I've seen instances where it appears to mean and others where it appears to mean . I'm not sure if my interpretation is correct or not.
The following are some examples.
>
p. 94, ch. 7
"I want to go [there] but I don't have any money"?
=
>
p. 28, ch. 2
"From tomorrow you'll be cooking your own meals, so watch carefully"?
=
> .....
p. 57, ch. 4
"I'm sorry, sir. Actually, it wasn't spiny lobster; it was crayfish. I told this boy it was spiny lobster, though..."?
=
If someone could clarify the meaning of , that would be very helpful. Thanks!
|
and its variants are widely used in the western/southern parts of Japan including Kyushu. I grew up in an area in Shikoku where only meant " (because)". Your last two examples look easy and straightforward to me because these obviously mean "because".
> *
> Akihiro, because you're going to cook rice from tomorrow, you must watch carefully.
> * ...
> Coz I was telling him it's an ...
>
* * *
However I was not familiar with the usage of in your first example, where seems to mean "although".
> *
> Of course I want to go, _but_ I have no money.
>
I've found articles that say at least in , is used similarly to (source 1, source 2).
> ****
> ****
is not far away from , so may also mean in .
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 4,
"tags": "translation, dialects"
}
|
meaning of なくっちゃ
I am reading a children's book lent by a friend, and I came across a word that did not appear in the dictionary I use (jisho.org) or in any google searches. The word is
The sentence it is used in is:
I think it has something to do with receiving again maybe, but that also is a bit strange....
Thanks for the help!
PS: I don't think is part of it, but I may be wrong.
|
>
It's a colloquial variation of:
( You have to wait (until~).
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 2,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "translation"
}
|
What is the difference of using とき and 時 in this sentence？
I think both words would similarly mean 'when'so I would like to know if there is any nuance between them and why they are written in different forms.
**** (160°C180°C **** )
|
is read as **** because follows an on-yomi compound. There is no significant difference in meaning, but, as usual, on-yomi words sound more technical and stiff. In this case, I guess the writer simply preferred the shorter expression because it was in the parentheses. In addition, although can be also rephrased as , this may be regarded as a bit too stiff in a documentation targeted at ordinary people these days.
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stackexchange-japanese
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{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "words"
}
|
How do you say A leads to B leads to C in one single sentence?
Saying that A leads to B leads to C in one single sentence.
I want to say **** **** , but i dont know if this is grammatically correct?
Please also do share if you have any better alternatives, Thanks!
|
Yes, your sentence looks perfect to me. Using or twice in a single sentence would have made your sentence look clumsy. You did a good job by choosing a different expression.
Note that usually means collecting something physical. If this sentence also covers online surveys, might be better.
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar"
}
|
What's this kanji? 「室」
. The only similar kanji I found would be []{}, which does not make sense to me (or Google Translate: []{}[]{} = treasure trove).
|
It is {}, usually "room", but also sometimes used in the meaning "office".
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": -1,
"tags": "kanji, writing identification"
}
|
How do I say "any of ~"
Please tell me how to say
> Please click any (one of the) button on the menu.
I have tried to search translation or grammar about "any of" but most results came out to be . It doesn't seems to fit in the sentence. I thought of saying
>
But it seems long and I am looking for a way to say it in a sentence. Any advice?
Edit:
I really like use of the word . I have not seen any one uses tho. What do you think about? Does that sounds right?
Edit:
How about or
|
> Edit:
> How about or
Yes, I think they would work. I think you could say...
> []{}
or maybe...
> or or
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "translation"
}
|
What is the meaning of ～はしない?
This is actually something I see from time to time :
>
Why is it "" instead of "" ?
|
... is a stressed form of a negative form of a verb, or it just makes the sentence stronger.
**** means in your sentence _I'll not let you get/go out_ , while **** means _I'll never let you get/go out_.
Including your , I'll show you some examples as
> - -
> - -
> - -
> - -
> - -
> - -
> - -
I'll show you the way to make this kind of expression:
> 1) think of a -form of a verb:
> > ****
> 2) omit from the -form of the verb; which is also called a stem form of the verb:
>
> 3) add to it:
> **** meaning (somebody will) _never go_.
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar"
}
|
Japanese Translation for Hamlet Act 5, Scene 2
I'm currently translating this Japanese article, which used quote from Hamlet Act 5, Scene 2.
In this article, they quoted
> ""
so I want to use the actual phrase from Hamlet, but it turns out that there are more of this particular phrase.
The following are the original context and its Japanese translation.
> **If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come** : the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?
>
> **** (52)
My problem I'm not sure which line matches with each other. I believe that the translation has rearranged/reordered these 3 sentences somehow? such that
> = "if it be not to come, it will be now"
>
> = "If it be now, ‘tis not to come;"
>
> = if it be not now, yet it will come:"
or whether it already followed the English order?
|
**Given:**
= If it be now, 'tis not to come;
= if it be not to come, it will be now;
_ = if it be not now, yet it will come:_
**You:**
= "if it be not to come, it will be now"
** = "If it be now, ‘tis not to come;"**
_= if it be not now, yet it will come:"_
**Me:**
= if it be not now, yet it will come:"
** = "If it be now, ‘tis not to come;"**
= "if it be not to come, it will be now"
![enter image description here](
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 1,
"tags": "translation, quotes"
}
|
What is the closest equivalent expression to "don't get your panties in a bunch"?
"To get one's panties in a bunch", from Wikitionary:
> To become overwrought or unnecessarily upset over a trivial matter. [Usually used towards women.]
What is the closest Japanese equivalent expression to this? (Hopefully, there's a bit more than just a simple ).
|
is the most commonly used phrase used to tell someone to calm down. However, there are several ways to simply state that someone is annoyed or overly upset. Eg. , {}.
If someone is getting annoyed over trivial matters you can use the word to describe the matter.
>
>
> He is angry over trivial matters.
There may be an even closer translation, but this one is pretty close.
You might be able to extend that to requests.
>
>
> Don't get angry over little things.
But this might not be very natural. Usually if someone were getting uptight over little things I would probably tell them (if they were close) something like:
>
>
> It's nothing more than a trivial thing. Calm down.
or
>
>
> It's nothing. Calm yourself.
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 1,
"question_score": 0,
"tags": "expressions, idioms"
}
|
What is the word for a "board book"?
Is there a common Japanese word for a board book? A board book has thick cardboard pages instead of paper pages. A board books is usually written for very young children.
(I looked in two different online dictionaries and also tried a Google search.)
Photo of a board book:
> A book with pages made of cardboard. Usually for babies.
Since they are (almost) always picture books, you could probably also use the word {}, but to describe that it has thick (cardboard) pages, you can use the word {} like in the earlier quote. I don't think {}{} is a common word, but something like here could be used:
> **{}{}**
Google Images:
*
*
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 5,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "words"
}
|
What's the difference between って and って言ってた
I'm guessing it's a matter of direct vs. indirect?
>
> My older brother said "Just a minute, please"
>
> My older brother said just a minute.
|
Both and are quotative particles and are grammatically interchangeable. While the former is colloquial and casual, the latter is not particularly formal nor casual (and it's thus "safer" while you're a learner). In your first example, is omitted because it can be inferred from the context. This omission can happen regardless of whether it's preceded by or .
By "direct vs indirect", do you mean direct and indirect speech? Then that does not matter here. Both and are used with or without quotation marks. See this answer, too.
Therefore, the following sentences are all valid and equally natural:
> *
> *
> *
>
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 6,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, spoken language, ellipsis, parts of speech"
}
|
What does そうするの mean here?
I came across this phrase in Yotsubato! manga. (ch.82, pg.35)
? As far as I can tell, the `` is most probably an explanatory ``. I think it means "yea just like that" or literally "to do so" but the literal meaning somehow doesn't feel right. I think it is most probably "just like that" from reading the text bubble that comes before it but I am confused here.
I tried searching `` on the web but couldn't find much that relates to above context. As a phrase what does `` mean here? I couldn't find any more examples that use ``. Any examples would be welcome.
|
The expresses (imperative/command). According to :
>
> 2⃣
> **** **** ****
And says:
>
>
> **** **** ****
> () ... ④
This is a sentence-ending particle () expressing a relatively light command. It's often used by females, normally towards someone who is inferior to or younger than the speaker.
>
> _lit._ "Yes. Do (it) that way."
So here the girl is talking to her dad a little arrogantly (but that might be how she usually talks to him?)
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 3,
"tags": "grammar, particle の, manga"
}
|
Causative verbs in descriptions of people
> ****
> The man with sparkling eyes who made the sweets.
> **** ...
> While wide eyed in anticipation...
Both these clauses use a causative form of a verb to describe a person's eyes.
In English when we use caustive to describe a person's expression it means that they deliberately made that expression. Whereas these sentences sound like the expressions are natural/spontaneous.
1) Would these sentences be wrong if I just used the plain form of the verb? If not how would the nuance change?
2) Is there a way to know when I should use causative for something like this? It's not at all intuitive to me.
3) What other things can be described by this structure? Is it limited to eyes, facial expressions, any body gesture, an even wider scope?
|
1) and would be understood, but they are a bit less natural.
2) I feel many of them are idioms or established set phrases, so perhaps you just have to get used to common ones.
3) It's not limited to facial expressions.
*
*
*
*
*
* (eagerly look forward)
*
*
There may be similar actions which are not related to body parts, but such actions would probably be expressed with causative forms in English, too.
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 5,
"tags": "grammar, causation"
}
|
Need help with translation of 二つの点がちょうど目みたいに見える
My understanding is that both and means "look like" so how can they occur in the same sentence?
|
- is an adjectival suffix meaning -like in the adverbial form, something close to "in a _-like way". is a verb that is modified by and .
> * : two dots
> * : exactly
> * : like eyes
> * : appear
>
(The) two dots look just like eyes.
|
stackexchange-japanese
|
{
"answer_score": 4,
"question_score": 2,
"tags": "grammar, meaning"
}
|
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