Need a word or phrase translated?

[Elizabeth]

ahh ok! then TA/HOKA NO TATEMONO would be like the "other buildings". it would literrally be like "the building's other". Like watashi no uni would be "my dog". thank you


Elizabeth, what you would recommend I do as different study habits?

I don't know. What are your goals for the language and how are they being achieved currently ?

Are you fluent in kana ? Hiragana for one is obviously a must for mastering the basics of Japanese sounds, how letters work, the structure of how words are put together, reading and pronouncation.

 

[Kirakira1232]

Romaji is difficult to wean yourself off of the longer you stick with it....plus learning without hiragana or kanji produces ambiguities like you had with "Tatsu"

If you wish to just speak the language or learn some set survival phrases as a tourist in Japan then Romaji serves that purpose fine. But if you want to learn the language long term, then yes what Elizabeth-san says is true, you need to start learning how to read kana (hiragana/katakana).

Also we dont mind if you ask for translations...but if its going to be on a more constant basis, put down your attempt first and then we'll correct where necessary. That way you can learn about grammar as well rather than just read off our translations.

 

[Charles Barkley]

I need some help. The following are a set of 3 emails--two I received and one I wrote (a shiny nickel if you can guess which one I wrote).

I cannot understand the last email. Is she saying that due to an error on her part, she did not receive my emails saying I would not attend the school? That's what I was expecting it to mean, but instead, to the Japanese language processor in my head, the response reads "Due to an error on our part we have received your message saying you cannot attend the school," which of course makes no sense.

What is going on here? Also, is my email coherent? It was quite a complicated explanation, so I tried to add as much info as possible and hope that would make it, if a bit unwieldy, at least understandable. Did I succeed? There is also a chance I misinterpreted the first email, so if someone could try to translate that, I would much appreciate it.




早稲田大学日本語センター事務所の___と申します。

本日入学許可書が不在のため返送されてきました。

再度お送りいたしますので住所の確認ならびに発送希望日などございましたらご連絡お願いいたします。

------

すみませんでした。７月３１日一時的にアメリカに帰国しましたので、現在の住所は

xyzabc

例の入学許可書について質問があります。

私はこの４月に早稲田のIntensive Japanese Language Programを申し込んで６月に入学許可をもらいました。

それと同時に私は文部科学省奨学金を申し込んで、７月中旬に奨学金を受けることになったという情報が分かってきました（どちらの学校で勉強するかはまだ決まっていませんでしたが）。奨学金をもらうことが分かった時、Intensive Japanese Language Program にメールを送って「申し訳ない、参加できない」と伝えました。

そしてつい三日前に、文部科学省からメールが来て、９月から早稲田大学院アジア太平洋研究科で研究生として勉強することになりました。

それで、私が聞きたいことは、例の入学許可書は僕が二ヶ月前に断ろうとしたIntensive Japanese Language Program の入学許可書ですか？それとも別の入学許可書ですか？六ヶ月ぐらい日本語の学校に行かせられる、文部科学省奨学金をもらう研究生はいるそうですから、このメールを読んだとき、僕も研究をする前に早稲田の日本語の学校に行かせられるんじゃないかなと思いました。

漠然とした質問をしてしまってごめんなさい。

-----

日本語センターの＿＿です。おはようございます。
下記の件ですがこちらの確認ミスで「入学できない」とのメールがきておりました。
ちゃんと確認せず申し訳ありませんでした。

 

[undrentide]

I need some help. The following are a set of 3 emails--two I received and one I wrote (a shiny nickel if you can guess which one I wrote).

I cannot understand the last email. Is she saying that due to an error on her part, she did not receive my emails saying I would not attend the school? That's what I was expecting it to mean, but instead, to the Japanese language processor in my head, the response reads "Due to an error on our part we have received your message saying you cannot attend the school," which of course makes no sense.

The last e-mail seems to be quite vague even to Japanese standard, but I assume your latter assumption is correct - you have to add something she did not mention clearly, though.

下記の件ですがこちらの確認ミスでそちらから送っていただいた「入学できない」とのメールがきておりました。が気がつきませんでした。よって、Intensive Japanese Language Programの入学許可証をお送りする必要はありませんでした。
ちゃんと確認せず申し訳ありませんでした。

The red part is my assumption (i.e. what is the most likely she meant to say), but since this is an important matter, you should ask for clarification.

What is going on here? Also, is my email coherent? It was quite a complicated explanation, so I tried to add as much info as possible and hope that would make it, if a bit unwieldy, at least understandable. Did I succeed? There is also a chance I misinterpreted the first email, so if someone could try to translate that, I would much appreciate it.

I think you understood the first e-mail correctly, and your message sent to the office is clear and understandable.

早稲田大学日本語センター事務所の___と申します。

本日入学許可書が不在のため返送されてきました。

再度お送りいたしますので住所の確認ならびに発送希望日などございましたらご連絡お願いいたします。

------

すみませんでした。７月３１日一時的にアメリカに帰国しましたので、現在の住所は

xyzabc

例の入学許可書について質問があります。

私はこの４月に早稲田のIntensive Japanese Language Programを申し込んで６月に入学許可をもらいました。

それと同時に私は文部科学省奨学金を申し込んで、７月中旬に奨学金を受けることになったという情報が分かってきました（どちらの学校で勉強するかはまだ決まっていませんでしたが）。奨学金をもらうことが分かった時、Intensive Japanese Language Program にメールを送って「申し訳ない、参加できない」と伝えました。

そしてつい三日前に、文部科学省からメールが来て、９月から早稲田大学院アジア太平洋研究科で研究生として勉強することになりました。

それで、私が聞きたいことは、例の入学許可書は僕が二ヶ月前に断ろうとしたIntensive Japanese Language Program の入学許可書ですか？それとも別の入学許可書ですか？六ヶ月ぐらい日本語の学校に行かせられる、文部科学省奨学金をもらう研究生はいるそうですから、このメールを読んだとき、僕も研究をする前に早稲田の日本語の学校に行かせられるんじゃないかなと思いました。

漠然とした質問をしてしまってごめんなさい。

-----

日本語センターの＿＿です。おはようございます。
下記の件ですがこちらの確認ミスで「入学できない」とのメールがきておりました。
ちゃんと確認せず申し訳ありませんでした。

If anything, I would not say 例の because this word does imply that it is common knowledge for both parties but still a bit vague (like "you know what".)
If you replace the 例の marked in red with 今回お送りいただいた, then it is really clear what you're asking about. (though your original message is clear enough.)

Anyway, it seems to be that the problem lies not in your Japanese writing skill or comprehention (which are quite good, both of them) but on the person from the office in Waseda, who does not seem to have a habit of make clear statement. (Being a business person, I'd be a bit frustrated with such vague messages, I would surely ask "what exactly did what?" sort of questions to her...)

 

[Elizabeth]

Romaji is difficult to wean yourself off of the longer you stick with it....plus learning without hiragana or kanji produces ambiguities like you had with "Tatsu"

Yes, and with the dual reading of words like "ta" and "hoka" which share the same kanji and which are both applicable to many of the same phrases but in which case the pronouciation is more often likely to be "hoka." Learning "ta no" first, about three years ahead of your natural skill level, throws all of those normal assumptions into chaos and like Kirakira said, once they start to stick become EXTREMELY difficult and time consuming to un-learn.

 

[SEYZJP]

Ok thanks.

My goals for the language are to study abroad in Tokyo for about 6 months. All the classes will be in English but I wish to communicate with the people good enough so that they can understand me and I can them. I am a bit familiar with the alphabets and am using them more and more. My vocabulary is getting bigger and I am meeting with some Japanese people to work on it and ask them questions.


seyzjp

 

[Charles Barkley]

Thank you for the help undrentide. I didnt know if I was missing something or if the person at Waseda was being unclear. When the conversation occurs in Japanese, I tend to assume that I am the one at fault (which I am 99% of the time). I will have to send another email to clear things up.

Also, thanks for the suggestion in place of 例の. I will keep it in mind.

 

[Elizabeth]

Ok thanks.
My goals for the language are to study abroad in Tokyo for about 6 months. All the classes will be in English but I wish to communicate with the people good enough so that they can understand me and I can them. I am a bit familiar with the alphabets and am using them more and more. My vocabulary is getting bigger and I am meeting with some Japanese people to work on it and ask them questions.
seyzjp

Concentrate on improving yourself with the writing systems and oral communication. It's great that you have Japanese friends since both those steps are a huge and necessary boost to any beginner's base knowledge.

Learning a lot of non-conversational words in romaji though sounds like it is completely irrelevant to your real goals and is probably only giving you the illusion of a big vocabulary.

 

[Elizabeth]

Man, this is embarrassing... I don't know what I was thinking about. I must have been mixing up posts somehow. You're quite right.

I really don't know where my brain was then. Man... I really need to get back on the caffeine.

Tony

Sou desune. Houjicha wo nonde mite kudasai.

ni aruku ha naikedo ni aruiteiku wa yoku tsukawareru ne....

 

[Clarity]

『Journey to the Center of The Earth』という映画を見ました。
『The X-Files: I Want To Believe』という映画を見ました。

Where is the mention of friends for both of these sentences ?



漢英字典 ??


ねむかったのに（けれど。。）、日本語を勉強しました。


These are just the most basic corrections. There are better, more natural, ways of putting your ideas of course but at least it was fully understandable.

Thanks !

For this sentence " ねむかったのに（けれど。。）、日本語を勉強しました。", would it be understandable without "けれど" ? Becos my textbook showed this form as "plain form + noni"...

 

[undrentide]

Thanks !

For this sentence " ねむかったのに（けれど。。）、日本語を勉強しました。", would it be understandable without "けれど" ? Becos my textbook showed this form as "plain form + noni"...

Elizabeth meant to use either of them not both of them.
ねむかったのに or
ねむかったけれど

I think ねむかったけれど is more appropriate in your sentence.
のに does mean "although" or "despite" but it implies a sense of dissatisfaction, unhappiness, or some accusing tone of the speaker.
e.g.
ねむかったのに日本語を勉強しなくてはならなかった。
I was sleepy (and wanted to go to bed) but I had to study Japanese.
*The speaker is not happy because she could not what she wanted (= going to bed).

ねむかったけれど日本語を勉強した。
I was sleepy but (instead of going to bed) I studied Japanese.
*Simple statement of the fact.

 

[Clarity]

Elizabeth meant to use either of them not both of them.
ねむかったのに or
ねむかったけれど

I think ねむかったけれど is more appropriate in your sentence.
のに does mean "although" or "despite" but it implies a sense of dissatisfaction, unhappiness, or some accusing tone of the speaker.
e.g.
ねむかったのに日本語を勉強しなくてはならなかった。
I was sleepy (and wanted to go to bed) but I had to study Japanese.
*The speaker is not happy because she could not what she wanted (= going to bed).

ねむかったけれど日本語を勉強した。
I was sleepy but (instead of going to bed) I studied Japanese.
*Simple statement of the fact.

I see, thanks a lot ! =)

 

[82riceballs]

ドラえもん help

Yeah! Chapter 8 of Doraemon!!!
Please help me with the following questions:

1. I'm encountering some confusing (by English standards, that is sentence-enders. Please help me understand them.

Friend1: いいだろ、新しく買ってもらったんだぞ。(Look, I got a brand-new pair of skis)
Friend2: あたしのスキーだってすばらしいのよ。(My skis are great, too)
Friend3： 俺のだってすごいんだから。(Mine are terrific!)
Friendｓ: 伸びたのは？どんなスキー？
Nobita: 簿、僕はスキーを持っていない。
Friend2:買ってもらえばいいのに。

Why does Friend 3 end his sentence with "dakara"? and Friend 2 with "noni" Are these natural Japanese ways of ending sentences? If so, can you give me some more examples?

Here's another dialogue:
Doraemon: スキーぐらい練習すればいいよ。
Nobita: 雪もないのに無理だい。

Why "noni"? Wouldn't it make more sense with "dakara"?

 

[Charles Barkley]

ETA: removed misleading statement

〜えばいいのに This is a fairly common pattern used to express "its too bad that ~ didn't happen" (it really would have been nice if ~ had happened).

のに expresses disappointment--something is expected but the expectations are not lived up to.

If you used だから the sentence would read something like "its because you should have gotten someone to buy them for you" which, from the context, obviously makes no sense.

 

[SEYZJP]

Hi everyone. I am having trouble with the exact translations of these phrases. I know what the words mean but the way that the grammar translates I am not getting:

1.AKAI HIKOOKI NO USHIRO NO YAMA NO UE NIWA YUKI GA ARIMASU

- I believe this means that the red plane is behind the mountains covered in snow??

2.AKAI SHATSU O KITA OTOKONOHITO NO USHIRO NO YAMA NO NIWA YUKI GA ARIMASU

- I think this one means the man wearing the red shirt is behind the snow covered mountains?

I am having difficulty from USHIRO on, all of the locations and words and confusing me.


Thanks

Seyzjp



EDIT: One more question...why is KITE used in this phrase.

TAIYOO GA AGATTE KITE IMASU

I thoguht KITE meant to wear?

 

[Elizabeth]

Hi everyone. I am having trouble with the exact translations of these phrases. I know what the words mean but the way that the grammar translates I am not getting:
1.AKAI HIKOOKI NO USHIRO NO YAMA NO UE NIWA YUKI GA ARIMASU
- I believe this means that the red plane is behind the mountains covered in snow??

No, it means snow is on top of the mountain behind the red airplane.

2.AKAI SHATSU O KITA OTOKONOHITO NO USHIRO NO YAMA NO NIWA YUKI GA ARIMASU
- I think this one means the man wearing the red shirt is behind the snow covered mountains?

Snow is on the mountain behind the man who wore the red shirt.


What is "yama no ni wa" by the way ? Yama no ue ni wa ?? If you could write in kana next time to practice yourself and ensure a smoother (or at least less jacked up) effort for everyone that would be great as well !

 

[SEYZJP]

No, it means snow is on top of the mountain behind the red airplane.


Snow is on the mountain behind the man who wore the red shirt.


What is "yama no ni wa" by the way ? Yama no ue ni wa ?? If you could write in kana next time to practice yourself and ensure a smoother (or at least less jacked up) effort for everyone that would be great as well !

thanks. yeah its probably yama no ue ni wa. no ni would make very much sense. i am not sure how you type in kana. i read up on it but it seemed very complicated. thank you

 

[Ashikaga]

Friend1: いいだろ、新しく買ってもらったんだぞ。(Look, I got a brand-new pair of skis)
Friend2: あたしのスキーだってすばらしいのよ。(My skis are great, too)
Friend3： 俺のだってすごいんだから。(Mine are terrific!)
Friendｓ: 伸びたのは？どんなスキー？
Nobita: 簿、僕はスキーを持っていない。
Friend2:買ってもらえばいいのに。
Why does Friend 3 end his sentence with "dakara"? and Friend 2 with "noni" Are these natural Japanese ways of ending sentences? If so, can you give me some more examples?[/COLOR]

だから here is literally "because", as in "(Don't think you two beat me) BECAUSE mine are great, too!".

のに in this case implies "It would be ______ if______." or "Why don't you______?".

Examples : 今日も暑（あつ）いな．．．．もう少し涼（すず）しければいいのに。
Hot again today.... It would be nice if it were a little bit cooler ( I wish it were a bit cooler).

そんなに暑ければ、セーターを脱（ぬ）げばいいのに。
If it is that hot, why don't you take off your sweater?

Here's another dialogue:
Doraemon: スキーぐらい練習すればいいよ。
Nobita: 雪もないのに無理だい。
Why "noni"? Wouldn't it make more sense with "dakara"?

のに here, used together with も, 「雪も無いのに．．．．」, accentuate the fact that there is no snow which is crucial if you want to practice skiing. What it is trying to say is, "How can I practice skiing when there isn't even any snow!?".
If you use （だ）から and say, "雪が無いから無理だい。" You are just stating the fact that you cannot practice because there is no snow.

Example : ああ～～どこか涼しい所へいきたいなぁ～
I want to go somewhere nice and cool!

お金も車も無いのに無理でしょう。
It's impossible when you don't have any money or a car.

 

[Kirakira1232]

EDIT: One more question...why is KITE used in this phrase.

TAIYOO GA AGATTE KITE IMASU

I thoguht KITE meant to wear?

This is why you need to learn hiragana/kanji

The "Kite" here doesnt come from "Kiru" (着る） which means to wear something (like a sweater or jumper). This Kite is actually the -te form of "Kuru" (来る） which means "to come" and indicates that the sun's light is reaching the speaker or that the Sun is rising on the speaker's side. Kuru is one of these "exception" verbs that dont follow the rules of the "type 1" or "type 2" verbs.

In hiragana/kanji this sentence would be

太陽（たいよう）が上がって来ています。

Taiyou ga agatte kiteimasu.

The sun is rising

 

[Elizabeth]

thanks. yeah its probably yama no ue ni wa. no ni would make very much sense. i am not sure how you type in kana. i read up on it but it seemed very complicated. thank you

I don't mean this to be offensive, but if installing a language pak in the language you're attempting to learn is too much of a difficult thing, the actual kanji is going to be your worst nightmare.

Kanji ni wa, yomikata ga onaji demo, imi no chigau mono ga takusan arukara ne...

 

[512kb]

I had a dream the other night where I was staying at a hotel in Tokyo and a bear came in the room! I called the front desk and said 「ここに熊です！」(There's a bear [in] here!) I'm almost certain this isn't right way to say it, but what is? 「ここは熊にいます」? Thanks.

 

[undrentide]

I had a dream the other night where I was staying at a hotel in Tokyo and a bear came in the room! I called the front desk and said 「ここに熊です！」(There's a bear [in] here!) I'm almost certain this isn't right way to say it, but what is? 「ここは熊にいます」? Thanks.

I'm afraid that both are incorrect... The former is close to the right answer, just です does not mean "to exist" so you need to replace it with います.

ここに熊がいます！

Japanese grammar - Wikipedia
Japanese particles - Wikipedia

 

[Ashikaga]

I had a dream the other night where I was staying at a hotel in Tokyo and a bear came in the room! I called the front desk and said 「ここに熊です！」(There's a bear [in] here!) I'm almost certain this isn't right way to say it, but what is? 「ここは熊にいます」? Thanks.

I would personally forget about calling the front desk and just get the hell out of there but...

How about 「部屋の中に熊がいます！！！！」？

 

[512kb]

undrentide, ashikaga, thanks for the help! Seems so obvious now.

How about 「部屋の中に熊がいます！！！！」？

I can actually read that sentence! *High fives self*

 

[82riceballs]

more ドラえもん

Thanks for the help on my previous doraemon questions!

Please help me with the following:
1. Even after Doraemon pulls out the skiing machine and makes Nobita's room look like a snowing slope, Nobita complains that the snow isn't cold. So Doraemon says 「じゃあ、何かこの雪が冷たくて気分が出れば、まじめに練習するのか？」
What does なにか mean here?

2. Nobita finally agrees to practice skiing and Doraemon says 「そうら、だんだん滑れるようになって来た。」
What does "そうら" mean?

Thanks in advance!