Contractions

[kevinsano]

I'm having trouble with the meaning/ origin of some contractions.

Nanchatte
Nantene
Chau>>> Ano, sore wa chotto chau ne...
Atai

The two first one are often translated as "just kidding" but that still doesn't give me any clue to its origin.

 

[CorDarei]

I don't guarantee exact derivations, but I'm pretty sure these are at least close.

Nanchatte

nan to itte shimatte -> nan tte itchatte -> nanchatte

Nantene

It's basically the same as the first;
nan to itte ne -> nante ne

Chau

This one is Kansai-ben. chau == chigau, but it's used much more flexibly than in standard Japanese.

Atai

I've heard this used as a personal pronoun in anime a few times; I don't know if it's used at all by real people. I assume it's derived from "watashi".

 

[kevinsano]

that helped me somewhat...

thankz

 

[orochi]

I think atai comes from atashi, which comes from watashi. It's a very feminine way to say "I." I don't think I've ever heard it in real life.

Chau is great, though. It's standard speech for where I live.