nzlegend 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 I was having a conversation about the Japanese language and saying what I liked about Japanese were the succinct words that didnt translate to English in one word, words that didnt have a direct equivalent. eg Ganbaru - do ones best, try hard Zannen - its regretable, I was unsucessful or yoroshiku - lets maintain good relations but couldnt think of anymore, can you? tell me Japanese words you like, the succinct ones. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 otsukaresama Onegaishimasu Itadakimasu uses for all of those are just so varied and random - wouldnt say I particularly like em or anything. Snowglider, you try that phrase from Sunday? Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 I hate these expressions. They're the bane of my professional life. Especially katakana ones like 'charenji' used as a verb -- nice and succinct, so easy to translate directly into English -- with unnatural results if you do. Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Author Share Posted October 27, 2005 The katakana ones give me the s**ts, Charenji? urgh, I just like the classical ones like ganbaru. I like the cry "Ki ai" aswell. Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Author Share Posted October 27, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by Yamakashi: otsukaresama Onegaishimasu Itadakimasu Snowglider, you try that phrase from Sunday? "otsukare" annoys me the way it its said so facetiously and with forced obligation "Irasshai masae" is another cringer the bugs me too. I dont like them all, but some are great. That phrase from Sunday? yeah but woodwinds were off the program! Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Well if you can't provide the wood, snowglider, how is your missus going to provide the wind? No excuses now. Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Author Share Posted October 27, 2005 Hey seed-man I have veritable lumber yard, no excuses here.... Link to post Share on other sites
misorano 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 "Ki ai" sucks. Don't need images of Animal Hamazaki in my mind. I hate the zo on the end of some verbs i.e. ganbaruzo On the other hand, Otsukare is a useful term that fills in a lot of gaps. But back to the topic, what is the extra Japanese taste (flavor) that has no equiv. in other languages? Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 kingyo no fun (金魚のフン) Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by snowglider: Hey seed-man I have veritable lumber yard, no excuses here.... Im with you guys, I freaking hate all the katakana crap out there - and also "Let's ~" crap too Let's education! Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Been wondering how you translate those J phrases. *Itterasshai - a phrase when people in your family member go out for work, vacation whatever. *Okaeri nasai - a phrase when people in your family member come back home. Also, I have been explaining that "Domo" is just a pre-fix. It doesn't have any meanings but lately people use it often for "Thank you" as if it meant it does. But no, correctly "Domo arigato (+ gozaimasu if it's formal or polite situation)" Or just Arigato makes sense. If it's only "Domo" for "Thank you", it's just like you say " Very" for "Thank you very much". Languages are stuff which chanage little by little in a long history though. BTW Yama, you forgot to add Sukebe Oyaji Really simple and succint words Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Itterashai: have a nice/good/great day Okaeri nasai: welcome home/back Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Itterashai: Where the f=ck d'you think you're going?! Okaeri nasai: Where the f=ck have you been?! Seriously, does anybody really say "Welcome home"? Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by Ocean11: Itterashai: Where the f=ck d'you think you're going?! Okaeri nasai: Where the f=ck have you been?! Seriously, does anybody really say "Welcome home"? When I was young I use to say welcome home dad! Then it turned into Howz it hanging? Wassup man? I take it thats what happens when you get married, huh? Sounds rough Gamera, using that for your guests would be fine Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by Yamakashi: Gamera, using that for your guests would be fine Yeah, I say that way but was not sure if it's like itterasshai or okaerinasai. Thanks Yama Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 So, thats a few beers Ill be gettin in Hakuba this winter then eh? Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by Ocean11: Itterashai: Where the f=ck d'you think you're going?! Okaeri nasai: Where the f=ck have you been?! Seriously, does anybody really say "Welcome home"? LOL gotta laugh at that. Kids might say "I'm home" or "Bye" on their way out, but usually most would leave /arrive home without a word. Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Quote: Originally posted by Yamakashi: So, thats a few beers Ill be gettin in Hakuba this winter then eh? Yep,yep. And maybe you will be to help me shovelling snow. Hummm...Indosnm - coming home without a word. A bit hard to imagine for me. What is it like? Link to post Share on other sites
sanjo 2 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 what about okagesama. I never can get that one. Link to post Share on other sites
gamera 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Good example, sanjo. Perhaps I could say it like "I appreciate for your concern / interest " I think it's most likely for expressing one's coutesy to others who have concern / interest about what you do. When the others really help you, you would say more like "Honto ni arigato, kansha shimasu" (= I really appreciate for your help)etc. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 sanjo probably - like me - doesn't feel like saying that to someone when they have done absolutely zilch to deserve it. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted October 27, 2005 Share Posted October 27, 2005 Okagesama: And that's no f-cking thanks to YOU either! I used to 'team teach' with an 'English teacher' who was always searching for the English for 'otsukaresama'. It lead to some misunderstandings. "You must be very tired!" "No no, I'm fine!" "Are you tired?" "No, what makes you ask that?" Like Japanese houses, the Japanese language can be remarkably compact. Except when it comes to keigo which just goes on and on. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 Keigo, damn... Sometimes I hear the mother in law speaking to someone who just rang and they speak for a few minutes about totally nothing.. iiee, iiee, ne ne some weather, sumimasens ..... I just scrath my head after hearing it! Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 Yes yes I often feel like that. It's like "how many meaningless kimarimonku's can we stuff into this sentence" time! Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 I love the 5 minute intro with keigo and all theyve said is thanks for coming today... Link to post Share on other sites
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