additions to sentences

[OoTmaster]

Okay I'm going to try and explain this the best way I know how. In anime that I have seen, it seems that some characters have additional things they like to add on to their sentences. Sometimes it doesn't seem to add anything to the meaning and may just be a speech habit for that character. For example the "jitsu wa" guy on fairy tail. He adds in that phrase in his sentences a lot even when it wouldn't be needed. Is this just an anime thing, or do real Japanese natives do this as well?

 

[chldudghks0517]

Well, here's my two cents.

In anime that I have seen, it seems that some characters have additional things they like to add on to their sentences.


Yes. In Naruto and other Naruto spin-offs, Naruto adds "dattebayo (だってばよ)" at the end of his speech (correct me if I'm wrong; I have a vague memory of what Naruto adds at the end of his sentence because it's been so long since I've first watched it). My point is, yes, some characters to add things to their sentence but these can actually be omitted.


Sometimes it doesn't seem to add anything to the meaning and may just be a speech habit for that character.


I agree. This habitual action of adding seemingly unnecessary words to one's sentences does not add meaning but they do add emphasis . Otherwise, it can be just style to make the character stand out.


For example the "jitsu wa" guy on fairy tail. He adds in that phrase in his sentences a lot even when it wouldn't be needed. Is this just an anime thing, or do real Japanese natives do this as well?


I don't know who this character is but I'm assuming this guy says "jitsu wa (実は)" frequently enough to annoy you. Indeed, this expression would not be needed. However, consider this:

"jitsu wa (実は)" means "in reality" or "actually". Whether used in anime or real conversational setting, this expression is used to emphasize that what you are saying is true (actual or based on facts) or likely to be true - and thus trying to win the approval of others. So, this is not just an anime thing - it can be used both in anime and real life.

Basically, you can view "jitsu wa (実は)" as a transitional device such as obviously, evidently, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is and etc. used in English. You not only use this to emphasize but also to transition or jump over to some other related topic.


So, the bottom line is,

If you want to emphasize to win the approval of others, using the "jitsu wa" expression is okay. Of course, you can drop this, but for the sake of emphasis, I would add this to my sentence when I speak (but I won't overuse it).

I'm not sure whether Japanese natives use "jitsu wa" expressions a lot (I don't have Japanese people around me) but I think it is safe to assume that they don't - repeating the same expression would sound redundant and awkward in real life conversations (but not so much in anime).


By the way, Fairy Tale is an awesome anime. Have you watched animes like Bleach and Sword Art Online? - these are real killers, too!

 

[Mike Cash]

Have you ever listened to how much English speakers overuse "actually"?

 

[OoTmaster]

Yes. In Naruto and other Naruto spin-offs, Naruto adds "dattebayo (だってばよ)" at the end of his speech (correct me if I'm wrong; I have a vague memory of what Naruto adds at the end of his sentence because it's been so long since I've first watched it). My point is, yes, some characters to add things to their sentence but these can actually be omitted.

Yeah I think he says something like that. But that is the kind of stuff I was talking about. I was also wondering if it is just a thing they do in anime to add "character" per say. Or if Japanese speakers do stuff like that as well.

By the way, Fairy Tale is an awesome anime. Have you watched animes like Bleach and Sword Art Online? - these are real killers, too!

I have watched both of those. As well as all the dragonball animes, soul eater, death note, hellsing, d. gray man, higurashi, and lots of others. In fact I often start to watch an anime and the remember that I have already seen the whole thing. XD

@ Mike Cash

Actually I haven't. I would think that it isn't actually used that much. I actually can't think of the last time I used the word myself. But now I digress, I don't actually want to try and offend someone.

 

[chldudghks0517]

Yes. In Naruto and other Naruto spin-offs, Naruto adds "dattebayo (だってばよ)" at the end of his speech (correct me if I'm wrong; I have a vague memory of what Naruto adds at the end of his sentence because it's been so long since I've first watched it). My point is, yes, some characters to add things to their sentence but these can actually be omitted.

Yeah I think he says something like that. But that is the kind of stuff I was talking about. I was also wondering if it is just a thing they do in anime to add "character" per say. Or if Japanese speakers do stuff like that as well.

By the way, Fairy Tale is an awesome anime. Have you watched animes like Bleach and Sword Art Online? - these are real killers, too!

I have watched both of those. As well as all the dragonball animes, soul eater, death note, hellsing, d. gray man, higurashi, and lots of others. In fact I often start to watch an anime and the remember that I have already seen the whole thing. XD

@ Mike Cash

Actually I haven't. I would think that it isn't actually used that much. I actually can't think of the last time I used the word myself. But now I digress, I don't actually want to try and offend someone.

You sure are one fervent anime zealot.

and by the way, nice word play.