Japanese sentence/word meanings

Ichiro

Batteries not Included

14 Jan 2004

72

0

• 14 Jan 2004

• #1

I would like to take Japanese lessons, but my
parents say I need to know some words first,
ok? Could people please post some japanese
sentences/words and their meaning?
I would be ever so greatful!

I'll even right you thank you notes!

 

Kuro_Tsubasa69

後輩

10 Dec 2003

1,075

10

• 14 Jan 2004

• #2

Hey, here you go.

Hello = Konnichiwa
Goodbye = Sayounara (To be used as a more 'long-term' goodbye)
....wa doko desu ka? = Where is....(Subject will go before wa, like, 'Where is the hospital?' would be 'Byouin wa doko desu ka.' *Forgive me on spelling*)
Moon = Tsuki
Dream = Yume
Nan desu ka? = What is it?
Suki = To like
Riyuu = Reason (as in motive)
Angel = Tenshi
Bleu = Ao (Aoi when placed as an adjective.)

There's some off the top of my head. I am also a begginer, so, this isn't perfect. (Others please correct me if you see a mistake.). Have fun learning japanese, Ichiro!

 

Buntaro

運動不足

Twenty-year veteran

27 Dec 2003

2,854

2,103

• 14 Jan 2004

• #3

Hi Ichiro!

Give us some sentences in English that you would like to say in Japanese. We will translate them for you.

Gambatte! (GIve it your best shot!)

-Buntaro

 

Ichiro

Batteries not Included

14 Jan 2004

72

0

• 15 Jan 2004

• Thread starter
• #4

Awsome! Thanks Kuro!
Hmm.. a sentence in English for japanese?
Hmm. Dificult. I'd like to speak Japanese, yes,
(and even though it isn't the same thing,
I ordered a chinese letter thing) the main reason
I would want to learn is to read manga, or understand
anime . But a sentence.. hmm.
Introductions? Like, 'Hi, my name is ____"
You know, just general topic starters I guess.
Thanks Butaro!

 

Buntaro

運動不足

Twenty-year veteran

27 Dec 2003

2,854

2,103

• 15 Jan 2004

• #5

"Hi, my name is ____"

is

"Konichiwa, watashi no namae wa ----- desu."


That is a good start. What next?

 

N

NANGI

先輩

Twenty-year veteran

8 Jan 2003

2,460

518

• 15 Jan 2004

• #6

Konnichiwa Ichiro-san!

And "What is your name?" is "Anata no Onamae wa Nanto Iimasu ka?".

NANGI

 

Elizabeth

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 15 Jan 2004

• #7

Originally posted by NANGI
Konnichiwa Ichiro-san!

And "What is your name?" is "Anata no Onamae wa Nanto Iimasu ka?".

NANGI

Click to expand...

Or maybe "Anata no onamae wo oshiete kudasai" is easier to remember.

 

Ichiro

Batteries not Included

14 Jan 2004

72

0

• 15 Jan 2004

• Thread starter
• #8

O_O wow ! Thanks everybody

 

Buntaro

運動不足

Twenty-year veteran

27 Dec 2003

2,854

2,103

• 15 Jan 2004

• #9

Ichiro San!

What is the next phrase that you want to learn?

 

Sailor Shadow

後輩

15 Jan 2004

8

0

• 15 Jan 2004

• #10

How about... "Ogenki desu ka?"

I think it means "How are you?" *^^*

Just thought I'd offer. *^_^* Also, I have a question about what's been posted here. Isn't there a difference in male and female speakers? "Watashi" is usually used by female speakers, isn't it? "Boku" and "Ore" are usually used by males? Or doesn't it really matter...?

And one more, what of the difference between "kimi" and "anata"?

If it seems like I'm hijacking for questions, gomen nasai!! I just thought you could answer those as well as Ichiro-san could learn it too!

Domo arigatou!

-Jessica

 

Ewok85

先輩

14 Nov 2003

2,401

44

• 15 Jan 2004

• #11

Watashi and anata are best used when starting learning, kimi boku and ore are not very polite or used when talking to friends. Sticking to the formal stuff and moving on to the less formal stuff is easier to do imho.

 

Buntaro

運動不足

Twenty-year veteran

27 Dec 2003

2,854

2,103

• 16 Jan 2004

• #12

I agree with Ewok85 about the polite usages.

Regarding onna no kotoba (words used by female Japanese) and otoko no kotoba (words used by male Japanese), kimi, boku, and ore are definitely not onna no kotoba. One particular onna no kotoba you will hear is Atashi.

Rare is the day that you will hear a Japanese guy say Watashi.

Yes, "Ogenki desu ka?" means "How are you?" By the way, genki refers to all aspects of emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical health, not just physical health.

Jessica, does that help?

 

Elizabeth

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 16 Jan 2004

• #13

Originally posted by Buntaro


Rare is the day that you will hear a Japanese guy say Watashi.

Click to expand...

Well they certainly do at work. And keigo -- watakushi with clients/customers I believe.

 

Buntaro

運動不足

Twenty-year veteran

27 Dec 2003

2,854

2,103

• 16 Jan 2004

• #14

Elizabeth, thanks for the clarification. When I was in Japan, I would never speak in Japanese to Japanese people at work.

I was referring to everyday conversation with friends, which was where I usually spoke Japanese.

 

SacredBlue

先輩

13 Oct 2003

246

1

• 16 Jan 2004

• #15

I was always under the impression that kimi is more polite than anata. For example the Japanese anthem ﾅ誰窶堋ｪ窶佚｣ (kimigayo), which was addressed to the Emperor. Can anyone clarify?

 

Elizabeth

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 16 Jan 2004

• #16

Originally posted by SacredBlue
I was always under the impression that kimi is more polite than anata. For example the Japanese anthem ﾅ誰窶堋ｪ窶佚｣ (kimigayo), which was addressed to the Emperor. Can anyone clarify?

Click to expand...

That usage is probably more a term of affection like "Dear," or "darling" for His Majesties Reign, nothing to do with politeness.

 

Ichiro

Batteries not Included

14 Jan 2004

72

0

• 16 Jan 2004

• Thread starter
• #17

Hey Everybody! Thanks
I just found out there is a Japanese Culture Center
in my town
I have a non-relevant question... my computer
sort of screws up in this section.. viewing, and
posting. Would anybody know why??

 

Buntaro

運動不足

Twenty-year veteran

27 Dec 2003

2,854

2,103

• 16 Jan 2004

• #18

Can you be specific? What exactly happens when it "screws up"?