Questions about Japanese language...

[Tenken's Smile]

Hi,

I have some questions for which I hope to receive answers. Please help me! :)

1. How do you call a female who practices Kendo (Well, a male practitioner is called a "kenkaku") ?

2. "Call me ABC" = "ABC-tte yonde kudasai," right?

[kagami]

Kenkaku is an alias to a samurai good at Sord technique.
Therefore, Kenkaku has historical atmosphere.
There are a lot of people who call Kenshi usually, too.
However, most is the same meaning.
Kenshi is a meaning of the person
who treats Sord.
And, woman's Kenshi is often called Jyosei-Kenshi now.
Moreover, there is an alias named Onna-Kenshi, too.
Jyosei is a meaning named woman.
Onna is a meaning named woman, too.
----

ABC-tte yonde kudasai

It is correct Japanese.
Another version exists, too.

ABC to yonde kudasai

This is the same meaning.

[Tenken's Smile]

Thank you for answering!

I have another question: How to refer to a person with "rokudan" level in Japanese? I mean, how to call him, knowing that "dan" means "level"? Can "dan" be used to address a person?

For instance, you may humor me, a person named "Yamada" who got a "rokudan," so do you refer to him as "Yamada no rokudan" or something ????

[Kurai_hisui]

I don't think you'd usually use a person's dan as a title, just the usual -san or -sensei as apropriate. If you needed to specify an individual, you could say 'rokudan-no-Yamada-san' (as opposed to the 3rd dan Yamada-san in the same room, for example), though that strikes me as a little crass.

Ja, ne

[umeboshi_neko]

i have question too actually:

in hiragana, all the characters are 1 syllable long (i.e, ka, ki, ku, ke, ko, sa, shi, e.t.c)
minus the one one consonant "n" (/"m"), when you push all the characters together, they form simple phonetic words like "nihongo" or "oden" but what happens if the phonetics are something like "nippon" or "ketto" how would you spell out the double consonant in hiragana?

[KuroiKenshi]

i have question too actually:

in hiragana, all the characters are 1 syllable long (i.e, ka, ki, ku, ke, ko, sa, shi, e.t.c)
minus the one one consonant "n" (/"m"), when you push all the characters together, they form simple phonetic words like "nihongo" or "oden" but what happens if the phonetics are something like "nippon" or "ketto" how would you spell out the double consonant in hiragana?

put a small tsu (つ）

so, nippon = にっぽん

btw, the same rule applies for katakana

ニッポン

[Starchild]

How to refer to a person with "rokudan" level in Japanese? I mean, how to call him, knowing that "dan" means "level"? Can "dan" be used to address a person?
The address like Yamada-rokudan is usually used formally, especially when the announcer broadcasts on the match. "Yamashita-Judan stands up quietly."

[Tenken's Smile]

Thanks!

Another question: I would like to know what written formula for ending a letter in Japanese is. In English, we use "sincerely," "regards," etc. How about in Japanese?

[Starchild]

The commonest one is 敬具（keigu）. Begin with 拝啓(haikei) and end with 敬具(keigu).

[Chousho]

2. "Call me ABC" = "ABC-tte yonde kudasai," right?

Haha, that made me think. Isn't ABC another way of saying how far you've gone with somebody... as in physically? haha

It made me think. Call me ABC, for I am easy.

[Tenken's Smile]

* Starchild: Thank for helping out! I may have more questions ^_^

* Chousho: The problem is that you think too much. "ABC" is a generalization, don't we use that in Math? :P What would YOU have written otherwise? "Call me John Doe" ? :P Hahah

[Chousho]

* Starchild: Thank for helping out! I may have more questions ^_^

* Chousho: The problem is that you think too much. "ABC" is a generalization, don't we use that in Math? :P What would you have written otherwise? "Call me John Doe" ? :P

Hmm, after rereading my posts, I see I repeated myself a little. :P No sleep does that.

Hmm, John Doe... isn't John a popular name for dogs in Japan?

[Starchild]

Hmm, John Doe... isn't John a popular name for dogs in Japan?Maybe one of the popular name for dogs in Japan. BTW NATSUME Soseki, well-know novelist and professor of British literature in Meiji era, named his dog as Hector while he left his cat unnamed.

[Chousho]

while he left his cat unnamed.

Haha, I find that somewhat ironic, seeing as what his most well known (aside from Kokoro) is.

Speaking of pets, is it still popular in Japan to have a chiwawa? I knew that there was a trend with Paris Hilton, but am not sure now.

[Starchild]

Haha, I find that somewhat ironic, seeing as what his most well known (aside from Kokoro) is.

Speaking of pets, is it still popular in Japan to have a chiwawa? I knew that there was a trend with Paris Hilton, but am not sure now.
Then you know his _I Am a Cat_. The open museum called Meiji-mura keeps the house where he actually lived and wrote _Cat_. (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~PU7T-KMR/meiji/meiji4.htm)

The chiwawa is popular in Japan.

[KuroiKenshi]

Then you know his _I Am a Cat_. The open museum called Meiji-mura keeps the house where he actually lived and wrote _Cat_. (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~PU7T-KMR/meiji/meiji4.htm)

The chiwawa is popular in Japan.

dousuru? aifuru.


couldnt help myself.

[Above the Sky]

Chiwawa is so cuteeeeeee, love them!

dousuru? aifuru.
Sorry, huh ?

[Schuldich]

dousuru? aifuru.
haha - awesome! i didn't get that one till i said it pausingly. then that commercial came screaming back to me :P

[Chousho]

Sorry, huh ?

I think it was a commercial for something. (Loans, if I'm not mistaken).

[Above the Sky]

Just wondering, how do you say "all right, all right" (in an agreeing, condescending way) in Japanese? For example:

A: hey, let me have that seat, okay?
B: ok, ok, there you are.

[Chousho]

Just wondering, how do you say "all right, all right" (in an agreeing, condescending way) in Japanese? For example:

A: hey, let me have that seat, okay?
B: ok, ok, there you are.


Well, I would simply say "hai hai", but the tone would be the indicator. That seems to be the way with most languages. Tone tells truth.

[Shining Finger]

Just a quick question, what would be the most appropriate English translation for the suffix ～もどき (~modoki)?

As in:
フェレットもどき (referring to Euno in the anime Lyrical Nanoha A's)
昇龍拳もどき (referring to Sakura's ShouOuKen in SF Zero2)

Then there are:
雁擬き
ガンモドキ島 (an island that looks like a gun from above in the game Gunbullet)

I think it's '~look-alike' but I'm not sure, since no dictionary provide any translation. Thanks^^

[Above the Sky]

Well, I would simply say "hai hai", but the tone would be the indicator. That seems to be the way with most languages. Tone tells truth.
Oh, just that? It sounds cute!!! Arigato!!

Hey, when I use an online translation, it always gives "ha" instead of "wa" --> "hana ha sakura, kimi ha samurai," and the site's admin said it's correct to substitute. What would you say? ;)

[ZeroKun]

Oh, just that? It sounds cute!!! Arigato!!

Hey, when I use an online translation, it always gives "ha" instead of "wa" --> "hana ha sakura, kimi ha samurai," and the site's admin said it's correct to substitute. What would you say? ;)

It is ha, but pronounced wa. There are 2 others like this, he/e and wo/o, the first one is how its spelled, the second is how it should(you'll hear wo too, but ive never heard he, just e) be pronounced.

[Chousho]

It is ha, but pronounced wa. There are 2 others like this, he/e and wo/o, the first one is how its spelled, the second is how it should(you'll hear wo too, but ive never heard he, just e) be pronounced.

Yeah, this just about explains it. If you notice, kon'nichiwa and konbanwa also use "ha", not "wa" when being written out 今日は、今晩は. While Japanese will know what you mean, and some even may do it themselves, it is incorrect to write it with わ.

Also, as there is no 'we' sound still, he is pronounced e. Otherwise it would be almost like wa, as in with a 'w'.

[Akemi]

ゐ- hiragana "wi"
ゑ- hiragana "we"

But they're so old they're obsolete. So don't use bother to memorize them. ~^

[Chousho]

ゐ- hiragana "wi"
ゑ- hiragana "we"

But they're so old they're obsolete. So don't use bother to memorize them. ~^

Also, as there is no 'we' sound still


As they are archaic, and not used, they do not formally exist.

[Akemi]

Yes, I know still. It's just a bit of trivia. ^^

[Chousho]

Yes, I know still. It's just a bit of trivia. ^^


Well, if it's trivia on archaic characters you want...

*pulls out magic bag*

ヷ、ヸ、ヹ、　ヺ
va, vi, ve, vo

[hiroaki]

I think it was a commercial for something. (Loans, if I'm not mistaken).

Yes it is CM

[hiroaki]

Just a quick question, what would be the most appropriate English translation for the suffix ～もどき (~modoki)?

As in:
フェレットもどき (referring to Euno in the anime Lyrical Nanoha A's)
昇龍拳もどき (referring to Sakura's ShouOuKen in SF Zero2)

Then there are:
雁擬き
ガンモドキ島 (an island that looks like a gun from above in the game Gunbullet)

I think it's '~look-alike' but I'm not sure, since no dictionary provide any translation. Thanks^^

yes,u r right

[hiroaki]

Yeah, this just about explains it. If you notice, kon'nichiwa and konbanwa also use "ha", not "wa" when being written out 今日は、今晩は. While Japanese will know what you mean, and some even may do it themselves, it is incorrect to write it with わ.

Also, as there is no 'we' sound still, he is pronounced e. Otherwise it would be almost like wa, as in with a 'w'.

あなた　へ(to you) is Anata e this へ is not he

[hiroaki]

Well, if it's trivia on archaic characters you want...

*pulls out magic bag*

ヷ、ヸ、ヹ、　ヺ
va, vi, ve, vo

ょぅιﾞょ ♡ ♠ ☎ ☞ 〠 ♨ ゔ〲〰

Kanji has kyuujitai/旧字体

http://www.hankogekiyasu.com/support/chart1.gif

http://www.hankogekiyasu.com/support/chart2.gif

[Shining Finger]

yes,u r right
Thank you very much^^ I was afraid no one will answer it.

[Chousho]

ょぅιﾞょ ♡ ♠ ☎ ☞ 〠 ♨ ゔ〲〰

Kanji has kyuujitai/旧字体


Interesting. So is 旧字体 just old form, or is it also variants used at some times still?

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9F%B3%E8%AA%AD%E3%81%BF#.E4.B8.AD.E5 .8F.A4.E9.9F.B3.E3.81.A8.E3.81.AE.E9.96. A2.E4.BF.82

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Japanese_language

Yes, he is said e. I was referring to the history of this.　ページは面白いですね

[hiroaki]

Interesting. So is 旧字体 just old form, or is it also variants used at some times still?

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9F%B3%E8%AA%AD%E3%81%BF#.E4.B8.AD.E5 .8F.A4.E9.9F.B3.E3.81.A8.E3.81.AE.E9.96. A2.E4.BF.82

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Japanese_language

Yes, he is said e. I was referring to the history of this.　ページは面白いですね

旧=old
Kanji has been improved because there are many strokes.

[Above the Sky]

hey, I don't know if this is a right topic to ask, but... what is the Japanese word for "kimono's pocket"? Does gi have pocket(s), too?

[MelonNanasi-san]

No. Kimono has no pocket. To hold and carry something, usually they used InRoh
http://www.unomatudo.co.jp/syouhin/inrou/sam/sennmen.jpg
or improvised bag by HuroShiki.

[Above the Sky]

Really? How come when I asked: "Where is the man's arm?" in this picture, someone answered: "his arms are in his pockets. (They have pockets in their sleeves where they can store things like their wallets, notes, and etc)"

-----> http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/9833/clipboard025kh.jpg

[fujyoshi]

Wow, kanji is mad confusing.

[hiroaki]

Really? How come when I asked: "Where is the man's arm?" in this picture, someone answered: "his arms are in his pockets. (They have pockets in their sleeves where they can store things like their wallets, notes, and etc)"

-----> http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/9833/clipboard025kh.jpg

It is Sode

http://www4.ocn.ne.jp/~tomasan/753irast/5saikimono.jpg

[Onsokumaru]

Really? How come when I asked: "Where is the man's arm?" in this picture, someone answered: "his arms are in his pockets. (They have pockets in their sleeves where they can store things like their wallets, notes, and etc)"

-----> http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/9833/clipboard025kh.jpg

That is called "tamoto" 袂
a part of "sode" 袖

[Above the Sky]

"Sode" is the word for "sleeve". People just put things into "sode" like that? They will fall out.

[Kurai_hisui]

"Sode" is the word for "sleeve". People just put things into "sode" like that? They will fall out.

The lower portion is sewn up. It's like a pillowcase with two holes at the top for your arm to pass through. It's actualy quite secure.
You can also slip things in between the two flaps at the front, where they overlap over your stomach (the obi keeps them from slipping), most often documents and the like, or a small dagger.

Ja, ne

[fujyoshi]

How would you write someones name. Would you use kanji or something? I just got my computer to type Japanese so I wanted to know.

[Kurai_hisui]

How would you write someones name. Would you use kanji or something? I just got my computer to type Japanese so I wanted to know.

If they have kanji for their name, you'd use the kanji.
Some Japanese (mostly women) have first names written in hiragana. Otherwise, you'd use katakana.

Some doccuments require you to write your name in romaji. Japan enthusiasts often like to pick out kanji for their names, but 95% of the time that's just for fun/goofing around.

ja, ne

[fujyoshi]

Ok thanks.

[Above the Sky]

Thanks!

Ah, how do you call someone who is "the best" of a team? Such as "the best of the Shinsengumi" ? I think it's "Shinsengumi no hide ichi" but please correct me!

And, how do you call "step-mother" and "adopted mother" ?

[Tenken's Smile]

Stepmother = mamahaha
Stepfather = mamachichi, also "gifu" (foster father).

The other question of yours, I don't know; someone else can help =)

[Tenken's Smile]

Both "Moshimo" and "nara(ba" mean "if". So what does this sentence mean ---> moshimo ashita wa harenaraba

Can anyone help ?? ^^

[Akemi]

I believe it means: If tomorrow is cleared up (sunny).

Correct me if I'm wrong. >anyone

Moshi/moshimo (et cetera) lets the listener know of the upcoming "if statement", since the real indicator of "if" is tacked onto the verb at the end. :3

[Tenken's Smile]

Thank you, Akemi ^_^

Can you help me with this, too (translate into Eng) ?


いつもなら　あなたに
笑って　元気だよと
素直に言えるのに　もう会いたくて
itsumo nara anata ni
waratte genki da yo to
sunao ni ieru noni mou aitakute

[Starchild]

It's a difficult job even for me, because it depends on whether or not the protagonist (it sounds female to me) of the lyrics is with her lover.

I used to say(or phone?) 'I'm fine' to you easily with a smile
But now I wanna see you

[Tenken's Smile]

You meant that if a male is singing, then it'll have a different translation ?????

Also, thank you for your help :)

[Starchild]

A female usually says 'anata' while a male does 'kimi' in Japanese lyrics. It is a cliche in a song and a stage drama in Japanese.

[fujyoshi]

In music they say whatever helps rhyme the song. In a song like Shiki no Uta from Samurai Champloo they use "anata" but in another song maybe like Pop Star by Ken Hirai, he uses "kimi". It all just depends on what sound right with the song. I don't know about dramas and stuff though.

[Chousho]

In music they say whatever helps rhyme the song. In a song like Shiki no Uta from Samurai Champloo they use "anata" but in another song maybe like Pop Star by Ken Hirai, he uses "kimi". It all just depends on what sound right with the song. I don't know about dramas and stuff though.

A female usually says 'anata' while a male does 'kimi' in Japanese lyrics. It is a cliche in a song and a stage drama in Japanese.

Did you read this, rebekah1-anime?


Anyways, I had a question. What is the contrast of 言う and 話す? Are they interchangeable?

[KuroiKenshi]

Did you read this, rebekah1-anime?


Anyways, I had a question. What is the contrast of 言う and 話す? Are they interchangeable?

you can think of "iu" as "to say/tell," (in some cases tell is better translated as "oshieru") and hanasu as "to speak."

Choushoは、あの女優と話してみたいと言っていた。

Chousho was saying (言っていた） that he wants to speak with/talk to (話してみたい) that actress.

[Chousho]

you can think of "iu" as "to say/tell," (in some cases tell is better translated as "oshieru") and hanasu as "to speak."

Choushoは、あの女優と話してみたいと言っていた。

Chousho was saying (言っていた） that he wants to speak with/talk to (話してみたい) that actress.

Ah, I think I get it now. So like...

先生はクラスに言います。

and

先生は日本語と英語話します。

変さんはかっこういTAさんで、ぼくをプライベート・レソーンしてみたいと言っていま した。

OK, maybe that last one was weird.

Ah, now I remember. Is deshou sometimes used to be polite for desu? I've heard girls say this a bit when it could be used for just desu, maybe it's too be cute?

[Akemi]

(If that last sentence means what I think it does: Dear god. XD)

I believe the first sentence would be better off with "hanasu", unless you add in what the teacher was saying and/or it was already known from the context.

先生はクラスに「本を開けて下さい」と言いました。

Context known:
誰に先生が「本を開けて下さい」と言いましたか？
クラスに言いました。

-----------------
でしょう is like, "(I) think", "(I) hope", "Don't you agree?", or (used alone) "I'd thought you say that!"
Basically: it invokes sympathy. And yes. It's very cutesy and feminine.

日本語は難しいでしょうね？

I'd thought you say that!/You're so right!/et cetera:
日本語は難しい。
でしょう！

That last one, it may need some tweaking.

[Starchild]

In music they say whatever helps rhyme the song. In a song like Shiki no Uta from Samurai Champloo they use "anata" but in another song maybe like Pop Star by Ken Hirai, he uses "kimi". It all just depends on what sound right with the song.It is more complicated than you believe. For reference, MINAMI Kosetsu's _Kanda-gawa_, in which a female protagonist recalls her youthful days when she lived with her lover, who probably had left her in the end.

あなたはもう忘れたかしら
*Anata* wa mou wasureta kashira
(You may have forgot the days)


Another reference, SAKAMOTO Ryuichi's _Kimi to boku to kanojo no koto_. A male recalls his youthful days with a girl who'd abandoned him and gone with his most intimate friend.

きみにはうちあけたはずだと信じ続けていた
*Kimi* ni wa uchiaketa hazu da to shinji-tsuzukete ita
(In those days I would believe you accepted my love)


I remember some songs from AMG used 'kimi' from the point of view of Keiichi-kun. Personally love songs are not to my liking.

[Starchild]

Choushoは、あの女優と話してみたいと言っていた。It sounds very natural Japanese.

[Starchild]

先生はクラスに言います。

and

先生は日本語と英語話します。

変さんはかっこういTAさんで、ぼくをプライベート・レソーンしてみたいと言っていま した。
Hmmm, they sound rather odd to me. The first line shoud be 先生はクラスの生徒たちに言いました. The second.... I do have no idea what you mean by かっこういＴＡ. レソーン is lesson? Usually we use レッスン. BTW, you had better use 個人授業 instead of プライベートレッスン because the latter reminds some Japanese of a kind of movies.


Ah, now I remember. Is deshou sometimes used to be polite for desu? I've heard girls say this a bit when it could be used for just desu, maybe it's too be cute?Case by case, I think. De-shou implies 'don't you?' when you emphasize_shou_.

あなただってアニメは好きでしょ
Anata datte anime wa suki desyo?
(You also love anime, don't you?)

[KuroiKenshi]

It sounds very natural Japanese.

Thank you. I try to keep sentences are short as possible in order to minimize the potential for mistakes, and thereby trick people into thinking that I know what I am talking about :P

でしょう is like, "(I) think", "(I) hope", "Don't you agree?", or (used alone) "I'd thought you say that!"
Basically: it invokes sympathy. And yes. It's very cutesy and feminine.

日本語は難しいでしょうね？

I'd thought you say that!/You're so right!/et cetera:
日本語は難しい。
でしょう！

The last one might also be translated as
Japanese is difficult.

and then

Right? Isnt it? or whatever.

it can also have this meaning within a sentence.
kuroikenshiは天才でしょ?
kuroikenshi is a genius, right? kuroikenshi is a genius, isnt he?

Also note that when used in this sense, the final う is often dropped でしょう⇒でしょ

[fujyoshi]

How do you say "I'm surronded by crazy idoits". I need to know because I wanna insult people without them knowing because it's fun.

[Lankard]

i have a question about a few phrases that i put together, i am unsure if that is the proper word order, and of course, words to use in the following:
1. what is your father's name?
A: chichi no namae wa nan desu ka?

2. What is your friend's father's name?
A: tomodachi no chichi no namae wa nan desu ka?

Also, how can you tell there is a break in between words? I have seen a few people on this page alone post strings of japanese, and i cant seem to tell where the word breaks are. Can someone please explain that?

[Starchild]

1. what is your father's name?
A: chichi no namae wa nan desu ka?You'd better use oto-san or oto-sama instead of chichi because the latter word is the most suitable when you refer to your father.

2. What is your friend's father's name?
A: tomodachi no chichi no namae wa nan desu ka?Anata no tomodachi (or otomodachi) no oto-san(or oto-sama) no namae wa nandesu ka.
In more casual way, "Anta no oto-san no namae, nandakke?" Matsuri and Mitsue from Kamichu would say that way.

"Omae no oyaji no namae, nandakke" is suitable when a male boy has a talk with one of his classmates.

[Starchild]

How do you say "I'm surronded by crazy idoits". I need to know because I wanna insult people without them knowing because it's fun.Mattaku, doitsu mo koitsu mo. (My god, anyone around me is...)

[Lankard]

what is the difference between oto-sama and oto-san, and why use them instead of chichi?

[Chousho]

what is the difference between oto-sama and oto-san, and why use them instead of chichi?

Otousan is like a catch all. It can be used for your own father as well as others' fathers. Otousan and otousama are basically the same, but the latter is more polite than the first.

Chichi would be used when you are talking about your own father.

[Vespy77]

I need to add something about the sentences being discussed above:

When referring to your own father, you may use "chichi", you NEVER use that when referring to someone else's father. As a side note, you also you the otoosan/okaasan/ojiisan/etc. to refer to someone else's relatives. Also, some words required the honorific "o" when talking about someone you don't know. So in this case the "namae" would become "onamae." ;)

[Chousho]

I need to add something about the sentences being discussed above:

When referring to your own father, you may use "chichi", you NEVER use that when referring to someone else's father. As a side note, you also you the otoosan/okaasan/ojiisan/etc. to refer to someone else's relatives. Also, some words required the honorific "o" when talking about someone you don't know. So in this case the "namae" would become "onamae." ;)

Hmm, well, starchild is Japanese, so I'm pretty sure they know what they're talking about.

[Richi]

I need to add something about the sentences being discussed above:

When referring to your own father, you may use "chichi", you NEVER use that when referring to someone else's father. As a side note, you also you the otoosan/okaasan/ojiisan/etc. to refer to someone else's relatives. Also, some words required the honorific "o" when talking about someone you don't know. So in this case the "namae" would become "onamae."


OH MY GOD!! I don't know who to believe!! ??

Should I believe a japanese speaker or a two years japanese student??


playing around with ya!!

neh, I try not to get too technical about the O adding to the namae. Plus, once you get to the advance classes you kind of have to pull away from those polite forms and stuff.

[Starchild]

I think there is no difference between Vespy77's view and mine...

[Chousho]

I was thinking earlier to day on this, on the Web there seems to be alot of kanakata used for sites.

What would be actual Japanese words for things like the following.

Calendar
News
Auction
Games
Sports
Entertainment
Address
Mail
Series
Class (school class)

as well as perhaps Japanese words for ones that may not have been before, like
Computer
Television

[Starchild]

Calendar
News
Auction
Games
Sports
Entertainment
Address
Mail
Series
Class (school class)カレンダー
ニュース
オークション
ゲーム(Japanese usually pronounce Ge-Mu, not games)
スポーツ
エンターテイメント
アドレス
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[Chousho]

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Ah, sorry. I meant what would the Japanese originating words for these? As in, words for these that are not borrowed from English.

[Starchild]

Ah, sorry. I meant what would the Japanese originating words for these?
Errr, I mean, they are now Japanese words.

[KuroiKenshi]

as starchild already pointed out, often times these words are used in katakana form in japanese, and they are now japanese language words. here are some "native" (i use the term roughly) equivalents that are all used to varying degrees. if you're ever confused, used the katakana words, because as starchild already said they are in use in japanese language just as any other words.

calendar: 暦　こよみ, although i feel almanac or something may be a better translation
news: 報道　ほうどう, literally "information" or "report," sometimes this is used in place of the word news (although i dont really know how often)
auction: 競り売り　せりうり
entertainment: sometimes youll see the word 遊興　ゆうきょう on something like a tax form i think
address: if youre talking about something like "i live at ABC Road, blanktown, USA" its 住所 じゅうしょ
mail: 郵便 ゆうびん the post office is known as 郵便局
class: if you mean like, "im in class A" or "im in homeroom C" or something like that i think you can use 学級 がっきゅう (dont hold me to that). if you mean like a course ("I'm taking a japanese language course") 授業　じゅぎょう works fine.
computer: 電子計算機　でんしけいさんき literally means "electronic calculation machine" and captures the meaning of "something that computes"

[Starchild]

entertainment: sometimes youll see the word 遊興　ゆうきょうI think it is very unrarely used in Japanese.

[KuroiKenshi]

I think it is very unrarely used in Japanese.

yeah, the only time i saw it was on a receipt for something, but i dont remember what. as i tried to make clear, i realize many of those are really not common at all.

although its fun to know them.

like 写真機　しゃしんき for camera (literally: photograph machine)

[fujyoshi]

Mattaku, doitsu mo koitsu mo. (My god, anyone around me is...)

I heard that mattaku is like "seriously" or something like that too is that true. The rest I think I heard before in a video game too. Interesting.

[hiroaki]

Hmm, John Doe... isn't John a popular name for dogs in Japan?

About popular pet's nme. Dog is Pochi Cat isTama(Sazae-san's cat lol)

Because I was young, I have not understood the meaning that My Pochi went to the public health center.

[Starchild]

About popular pet's nme. Dog is Pochi Cat isTama(Sazae-san's cat lol)
The cat of Yurie from Kamichu! is also named Tama.

[hiroaki]

auction: 競り売り　せりうり entertainment: sometimes youll see the word 遊興　ゆうきょう on something like a tax form i think

auction:競売
entertainment:娯楽

[fujyoshi]

How do you say "welcome to my forum" I need to know that way I can welcome my members in Japanese. ^_^

[Starchild]

フォーラムへようこそ！

[fujyoshi]

thanks, but I can only read hiragana and I don't have a katakana chart with me at the moment. ^_^

[Chousho]

thanks, but I can only read hiragana and I don't have a katakana chart with me at the moment. ^_^
The last part is in Hiragana.
Fooramu e youkoso!

[umeboshi_neko]

how would you say "what do you want me to say"?
i knew it for a while, then i learned something else important and the phrase was lost.

[Starchild]

Hmm, I cannot answer your question since I do not see what kind of situation you suppose.

[Tenken's Smile]

Hi,

I have some questions:

You call a middle-aged man "ojisan," a little girl "ojosan," an old woman "obaasan"

So what do you call :
-- a middle-aged woman ?
-- a younger woman ?
-- a young man ?

[daike]

middle-aged woman: obasan
younger woman: ojosan (ojousan) ....same as little girl.
young man: obocchan ....but this is mainly used in historical play or only for a little boy. Now it sounds like "you immature man" if you used it for a young man.

[Tenken's Smile]

Thank you.

Oh, so there's no word used to call a young man? Or it is the same as middle-aged man: ojisan ?

[cris]

how young are we talking about? If you're talking about young adult (18-20's), then it would be 青年 *seinen*(Say-nehn)


-- a middle-aged woman ?
おばさん*Obasan*
-- a younger woman ?
お嬢さん*Ojyousan* Little Girl is お嬢ちゃん(Ojyouchan) not お嬢さん(Ojyousan), there is a difference


******Seinen is more 15-16ish to 25ish but after 20, usually more known as 成人　Seijin

[daike]

Ojisan should be used only for obviously middle-aged man.

Hm, common speaking Japanese doesn't have specific word to call a young man. Oniisan/Oneesan (big brother/big sister) is sometimes used to talk with a young stranger, but you may be mistaken for a store seller or saying joke if you use it in Tokyo. (I guess it may be common in Osaka dialect but I'm not sure.)

[KuroiKenshi]

Ojisan should be used only for obviously middle-aged man.

Hm, common speaking Japanese doesn't have specific word to call a young man. Oniisan/Oneesan (big brother/big sister) is sometimes used to talk with a young stranger, but you may be mistaken for a store seller or saying joke if you use it in Tokyo. (I guess it may be common in Osaka dialect but I'm not sure.)

i got called oniichama by a woman trying to get me to go to her "snack" one time. i thought it was really funny but she didnt get why I was laughing and got mad.

oops

[DazzleKitty]

About how long would it usually take for a person to learn enough Japanese to be able to read most manga? I am getting read to import a bunch of untranslated manga in hopes of being able to read them someday.

[Chousho]

About how long would it usually take for a person to learn enough Japanese to be able to read most manga? I am getting read to import a bunch of untranslated manga in hopes of being able to read them someday.
Depends on how you learn it. Self study could take anywhere from 3 years to 5. To actually read and understand the better half of manga, I'd say 2 years in a good college course.

[DazzleKitty]

Thanks for the response, Chousho!
I'm learning it in college. I'm not sure if it would be considered a good course. It seems we move pretty slow (there are only two classes a week).

[Chousho]

Thanks for the response, Chousho!
I'm learning it in college. I'm not sure if it would be considered a good course. It seems we move pretty slow (there are only two classes a week).
Well, I take it you mean slow because the material is going slow, not because you have 2 courses? I'm only speaking from what I've noticed from my classes and from what I've come across when talking to other people who have taken it. The 2 years thing came from my TA, who said that he could read manga with no problem. Of course, he's also Taiwanese, so maybe the kanji part was a little easier than for the poor white kids like me, haha.

If you persevere at it, and don't get soggied down, you should find yourself continually improving. Make it a point to write down the new things you've learned, as well as the old. Write paragraphs using the new stuff, etc. If you don't practice with it, you'll eventually lose it.

[DazzleKitty]

When I was talking about the classes going slow, I meant it was because we only have the Japanese class two days a week, and we don't cover a lot of content during class time. Even though the class lasts about two hours, it still seems like we don't get much done. Maybe things will start to pick up. The college only provides Japanese I and II (which is in total one year of it). I don't know where to go aftwards. My teacher claims that by the end of the year, we will be able to read Japanese newspapers. I am not sure if I believe that or not.

I have a few more questions (sorry for bombarding you guys with so many!). One other person I talked to who learned Japanese said that the kind you learn in class is formal. When you read a manga in Japanese, there is a lot of slang and it's almost like a totally different language. Does this hold some truth, or was it an exaggeration? I just imported some Japanese manga and I have hopes to be able to read them in a couple of years, heh heh.

My brother has this friend from Pakistan who is multilingual. He said that when you learn a new language, you NEED to spend time with someone who speaks it fluently. He said you need to be with them for a few hours a day. However, I don't know any Japanese people,and I'd be too shy and unconfident when speaking to them. Do you really HAVE to speak it? Can you learn enough from class in order to read and watch Japanese stuff? Because if you can understand it that way, I don't see how you would have that much trouble speaking it.

Again, sorry for all these (stupid) questions. I get curious and want answers. I'm one of those people who can get all crushed over certain obstacles that may cause me to give up. I really need motivation and encouragement. I always think things will be too tough for me. :P I'll try to take your advice Chousho and not get soggied down.

[Chousho]

When I was talking about the classes going slow, I meant it was because we only have the Japanese class two days a week, and we don't cover a lot of content during class time. Even though the class lasts about two hours, it still seems like we don't get much done. Maybe things will start to pick up. The college only provides Japanese I and II (which is in total one year of it). I don't know where to go aftwards. My teacher claims that by the end of the year, we will be able to read Japanese newspapers. I am not sure if I believe that or not.

I have a few more questions (sorry for bombarding you guys with so many!). One other person I talked to who learned Japanese said that the kind you learn in class is formal. When you read a manga in Japanese, there is a lot of slang and it's almost like a totally different language. Does this hold some truth, or was it an exaggeration? I just imported some Japanese manga and I have hopes to be able to read them in a couple of years, heh heh.

My brother has this friend from Pakistan who is multilingual. He said that when you learn a new language, you NEED to spend time with someone who speaks it fluently. He said you need to be with them for a few hours a day. However, I don't know any Japanese people,and I'd be too shy and unconfident when speaking to them. Do you really HAVE to speak it? Can you learn enough from class in order to read and watch Japanese stuff? Because if you can understand it that way, I don't see how you would have that much trouble speaking it.

Again, sorry for all these (stupid) questions. I get curious and want answers. I'm one of those people who can get all crushed over certain obstacles that may cause me to give up. I really need motivation and encouragement. I always think things will be too tough for me. :P I'll try to take your advice Chousho and not get soggied down.

Questions are a great way to learn! Don't feel bad about it. It takes quite a while to get to the point of reading a Japanese newspaper and understanding most of it. Maybe French or German, but Kanji plays a consierable role.

Finding a language buddy can be a big help, but make sure you try to learn from them rather than *just* having fun. Not to say you can't have fun and learn, but if you spend most of your time talking with them about stuff that your non-Japanese inclinded friends would understand, it wouldn't be much help.

As far as manga, that's kind of a ehhh thing. I mean, if you know formal Japanese, you should be able to understand, as long as you are familiar with conjugating and etc, but maybe you won't get some of the nuances.

Don't mind if I didn't make sense at the end, there was a gap between the last paragraph and the previous ones where I spent 2 hours playing Halo.

[KuroiKenshi]

unless you are taking the department of defense course i doubt that youll be able to read a newspaper without help in a year.

but thats not the point of this post. there is a great japanese saying that you should write down, memorize, and keep with you at all times

聞くは一時の恥、聞かぬは一生の恥

kiku wa ittoki no haji, kikanu wa isshou no haji

asking is only embarrassing for a moment, but not asking is embarrassing for your whole life

[Tenken's Smile]

In RK, there is a quote: "If you're strong, you'll live. If you're weak, you'll die." Can anyone please help me translate it into Romaji ?

[tsuki no miko]

In RK, there is a quote: "If you're strong, you'll live. If you're weak, you'll die." Can anyone please help me translate it into Romaji ?

tsuyokereba iki, yowakereba shinu.

I suppose Shishio said this? Although I don't agree~

[Tenken's Smile]

Thank you! Yes, Shishio taught it to Soujiro =) I agree with Shishio though, it applies in real life