How do you know whether it is I or you or he?

orphanwolf

後輩

24 Dec 2008

3

0

• 24 Dec 2008

• #1

I wonder how do you understand in a sentence the subject is I or you or he?
this is a sentence from an online lesson:
とつぜん りんご お たべた きえた。
they translated it as: All the sudden, he ate the apple, and disappeared.
what i understand is: suddenly * ate the apple and went away.
how come the subject is he and not I or you?

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

16,758

2,298

• 24 Dec 2008

• #2

There are at least two errors in that sentence. I suggest you find a different source for online lessons.

 

JimmySeal

Tubthumper

5 Mar 2006

1,516

78

• 24 Dec 2008

• #3

While you may very well be right in your suggestion, the error is in orphanwolph's transcription

 

orphanwolf

後輩

24 Dec 2008

3

0

• 24 Dec 2008

• Thread starter
• #4

Thanks to Mr. Jimmyseal. I am really sorry that I am not used to kana characters which still troubles me a bit. I would use romaji till I get them. I wrote tabeta instead of tabete .

Still, I understand the sentence as : eating(tabete) the apple(ringo) * disappeared (kieta). Is it must be he and not I or you?

 

A

Amigo

先輩

31 Aug 2008

349

7

• 25 Dec 2008

• #5

It depends on the context orphanwolf San,

I like to travel, like to play soccer, like to eat Ramen, like to drink coffee...

Who likes to drink coffe? Me as well.

That's all.

 

becki_kanou

Sumo Freak

20 Jul 2008

163

11

• 25 Dec 2008

• #6

You don't know just from reading one sentence. Japanese is a very context-reliant language, and you can often leave out the bits that can be assumed from a conversation. However outside the bounds of that conversation, the meaning can become very opaque.

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

18,266

4,926

• 25 Dec 2008

• #7

I also recommend a different site for learning Japanese. Actually, some example sentences/translations in the page the OP quoted from are obviously grammatically incorrect.

 

orphanwolf

後輩

24 Dec 2008

3

0

• 25 Dec 2008

• Thread starter
• #8

I think I got the idea. isn't it like when we say "thank you" or "gotcha(got you)" keeping the "I" invisible? anyway, i shall take Mr. Toritoribe's advice.

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

16,758

2,298

• 25 Dec 2008

• #9

Oh, God. It's worse than I thought. It's that horrible crap from the old maktos.com

Please do yourself a huge favor and find some other site....almost any other site....to learn Japanese from.

 

Glenn

一切皆苦

8 Jan 2004

7,842

200

• 26 Dec 2008

• #10

Hah! Oh, that old maktos site sure does bring back memories!

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

16,758

2,298

• 27 Dec 2008

• #11

The "lessons" are some evil beast that just won't die.