Interpreting this sentence

LewiiG · 10 Mar 2014

"ハイチュウを知るのに遅すぎるということはない。
Haichuu is the name of the sweet I think. This sentence was found on the wrapper. The rest of the wrapper states "食べ終わっても悲しむな。次の1コがある" but I'm sure that means "even when you finish eating do not grieve. There is the next sweet" basically.
"Although you know Haichuu, there is nothing you will call too slow" yeah I don't really understand. Help!

blutorange · 11 Mar 2014

In this context, not "slow" as in space, but "late" as in time.

Literally:
"the thing that one (could) call too late, is(=exists) not"

Better English:
"It's not(=ない) that-it-is(=ということ) too late"

And finally:
It is never too late to get to know ハイチュウ.

~(という)ことはない is a common phrase to deny a statement, eg:

「我々は知らない、知ることはないだろう」 "Ignoramus et ignorabimus"

nekojita · 11 Mar 2014

Hi-Chew is the brand - they were quite popular in Singapore when I was at high school. I don't recommend the Durian flavour.

Toritoribe · 11 Mar 2014

ハイチュウ is usually written Hi-Chew.

Hi-Chew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As you might know, Hi-Chew usually has 12 pieces in one package, thus, 食べ終わっても means "even when you finish eating a piece of Hi-Chew" and 次の1コ refers to "next piece (of Hi-Chew)".

nekojita said:
I don't recommend the Durian flavour.

Ditto.

LewiiG · 11 Mar 2014

blutorange said:
In this context, not "slow" as in space, but "late" as in time.
It is never too late to get to know ハイチュウ.
~(という)ことはない is a common phrase to deny a statement, eg:
「我々は知らない、知ることはないだろう」 ""

I see! Thanks. I forgot to consider "late" but even if I did I still don't see how のに fits here. I've found one definition that seems to make sense, and that is, "in order to." is that right?

nekojita said:
Hi-Chew is the brand - they were quite popular in Singapore when I was at high school.

Toritoribe said:
ハイチュウ is usually written Hi-Chew.
Hi-Chew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interesting. Hearing ハイチュウ I'd never think "Hi-Chew." Didn't even make the connection. I thought it might have a meaning in Japanese or something. Well at least I have more to consider when looking at the names of things now.

Toritoribe said:
As you might know, Hi-Chew usually has 12 pieces in one package, thus, 食べ終わっても means "even when you finish eating a piece of Hi-Chew" and 次の1コ refers to "next piece (of Hi-Chew)".

Yeah. Okay thanks.

nekojita said:
I don't recommend the Durian flavour.

Toritoribe said:
Ditto.

Lol, yolo. Now I have to try it xD

Toritoribe · 12 Mar 2014

LewiiG said:
I forgot to consider "late" but even if I did I still don't see how のに fits here. I've found one definition that seems to make sense, and that is, "in order to." is that right?

の is just for nominalization. The meaning is more likely from に. This に indicates an "abstract point", often called （評価の）基準 "criterion for judgment" here. In fact, に has the similar function in ハイチュウを知るには遅すぎる (the meaning is contrary, though.)

LewiiG · 13 Mar 2014

Toritoribe said:
の is just for nominalization. The meaning is more likely from に. This に indicates an "abstract point", often called （評価の）基準 "criterion for judgment" here. In fact, に has the similar function in ハイチュウを知るには遅すぎる (the meaning is contrary, though.)

Oh. So it's not のに as in although, nevertheless etc but のに as in ことに? If so it would make perfect sense to me.

Toritoribe · 13 Mar 2014

The nominalizers の and こと are not completely the same, and therefore not always interchangeable, but yes, ことに works fine as the same meaning in an appropriate context.

LewiiG · 13 Mar 2014

Toritoribe said:
The nominalizers の and こと are not completely the same, and therefore not always interchangeable, but yes, ことに works fine as the same meaning in an appropriate context.

Okay thanks. That's new to me. So in what ways do they differ and when are they not interchangeable?

Toritoribe · 13 Mar 2014

Here's a rough explanation.

koto | Japan Forum

LewiiG · 14 Mar 2014

Toritoribe said:
Here's a rough explanation.

koto | Japan Forum

Interesting and good to know. Thanks Toritoribe.

And thanks all

Interpreting this sentence

LewiiG

先輩

blutorange

後輩

nekojita

先輩

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

LewiiG

先輩

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

LewiiG

先輩

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

LewiiG

先輩

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

LewiiG

先輩

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