Anaru 0 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Can someone explain to me simply the difference between the polite usage of "o-" (as in o-sake) and "go-" (as in go-kazoku) Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 It depends on the next word Link to post Share on other sites
Pedro 0 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 I can't figure it out Sushi, nigiri, and bento get an 'o' but tempura, ramen and salad are always 'o'-less. Tea (cha) gets an 'o' while coffee doesn't. O-sake can have an 'o' but whisky by it's self is 'o'-unworthy. Furthermore you may feel free to pray in the 0-tera(temple) but while at the jinja (shrine) or the kyoukai (church)leave the 'o' out. 'Go' is even more tricky to me. Issho (together) can change politely into goissho ni.....however if you choose to go betsu betsu you may not use the 'go'! Link to post Share on other sites
barok 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 go is used in words of Chinese origin. go-han go-kyoudai but that's allz I know o is used in words not of Chinese origin. and there's a bunch of 'em. Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 Hold on, barok. How about tea "o-cha"? Isn't "cha" a Chinese origin word? It's a mystery to me too! Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I can't but I want this near the top, threads getting lost easily nowadays How about you translator people, come on give us the lowdown! Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I have no idea. I don't think there's a tidy explanation. Why do you count pistols and tofu with 'cho'? Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 barok, I understand what you explained. Chinese origin or Japanese origin is about reading sound, I think. I think when we use "go", sounds more polite. Kids = O-kosama = Go-shisoku, Go-reijo Parents = O-kaasama, O-tousama = Go-ryousin We don't have so many "go" words in casual conversation. "go" use in business situation or very polite letter and if you want to be "go" or "o" expert, you should learn in the sentence. Go-renraku O-machi shite O-rimasu. ご連絡お待ちしております。 Go-kazoku ni yosroshiku O-tsutae kudasai. ご家族によろしくお伝えください。 Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 slow, I love it when you talk posh. Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 ocean, そのようにおっしゃっていただき、本当にうれし 367;思います。 御礼申し上げます。 This is too much! Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 Pwoar! That was hot! Link to post Share on other sites
zebedee 1 Posted November 15, 2003 Share Posted November 15, 2003 367? A secret code perhaps! Link to post Share on other sites
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