Need a word or phrase translated?

[82riceballs]

Thanks toritoribe!
Could you explain what 口語ではものすごくよく使う表現です means? Does it mean "In spoken Japanese, more often than not...something I don't understand..."?
so かて = だって, but what's "datte"? How does it fit into the sentence?

 

[orochi]

Could you explain what 口語ではものすごくよく使う表現です means?

It's an expression used quite often when speaking.

so かて = だって, but what's "datte"? How does it fit into the sentence?

What sentence?

 

[briareos]

Thanks barkley and undrentide!

 

[Toritoribe]

So かて = だって, but what's "datte"? How does it fit into the sentence?

That's HARISEN = Etou's line, isn't it?;-)

the whole sentence in Kansai dialect: 曲かておまえの好きなベートーヴェンやろが！
standard Japanese: 曲だってお前の好きなベートーヴェンだろうが！
along the context: (なぜピアノをちゃんと弾かない！？) 曲だってお前の好きなベートーヴェンだろうが/なのに！

(too polite though)
what's more, that's Beethoven, your favorite, aren't you!?

 

[82riceballs]

so "datte" = what's more ?

 

[Aspira]

1)Could anyone identify the kanji in this photograph? I have a feeling it is Chinese, however I was wondering if there was an acceptable Japanese meaning that could be derived from it, or maybe it is japanese... just 2 kanji... any advice as to the hirigana translation plus the english translation would be very much appreciated ^^

hxxp://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img004hr5.jpg

replace the xx wth tt

2) (名望理) --not sure if that shows up. Its the kanji for Meibou(reputation, renoun) plus Ri(reason) ... if the 3 Kanji are placed next to eachother 2+1 does it make a significant meaning?

I am actually trying to formulate a Zekken for Kendo >.< last name is Mayberry. <_<

 

[undrentide]

1)Could anyone identify the kanji in this photograph? I have a feeling it is Chinese, however I was wondering if there was an acceptable Japanese meaning that could be derived from it, or maybe it is Japanese... just 2 kanji... any advice as to the hiragana translation plus the English translation would be very much appreciated ^^

replace the xx wth tt

安祖
I believe it is Chinese.
Checking these kanji on the net, it could be the given name of a person in history: 孫安祖

2) (名望理) --not sure if that shows up. Its the kanji for Meibou(reputation, renoun) plus Ri(reason) ... if the 3 Kanji are placed next to each other 2+1 does it make a significant meaning?

I am actually trying to formulate a Zekken for Kendo >.< last name is Mayberry. <_<

To my knowledge, not it does not (in this particular case).

 

[Charles Barkley]

so "datte" = what's more ?

だって is a quite informal version of なぜかというと or similar phrases.

What it is used for is beginning a sentence that offers an excuse or reason or complaint.

A common form is: だって.........じゃん。 A possible translation would be 'The reason is that...' but its best to avoid looking for a stiff English translation, and just paying attention to examples whenever they come along.

Also, it is usually pronounced pretty emphatically, so think of it as a way to get some one's attention so that you can explain something (often negative) to them.

 

[Toritoribe]

so "datte" = what's more ?

You'd better not to think about the word だって singly. (Incidentally, だって is from だとて - "auxiliary verb だ + conjunctive particle と + case particle て".) HARISEN's line is a kind of complex sentence.

理由・判断の根拠を示す複文 - complex sentence which shows reason/source of judgment
「彼だって泳げるんだから、君だって泳げるよ」「彼だって泳げるだろう？だから君だって泳げるよ」: He can swim, so you'll be able to do as well.
In spoken Japanese, the latter sentence is quite often omitted.
「彼だって泳げるんだから」「彼だって泳げるだろ(う)？」
These mean "encouragement" (as far as it's said gently). "It's OK. You'll be able to swim as well. Don't be afraid..."

However, it's changed to the opposite meaning by adding 「が」 in the end of the sentence.
「彼だって泳げるだろうが！」(said angrily)
That's from 逆接の複文 - adversative complex sentence.
「彼だって泳げるだろうが！(なら君だって泳げるはずだ。なのになぜ泳げない！？)」
This means "reprobation". "He can swim. So you must be able to do. But why can't you!?"
In other expression, 「彼だって泳げるのに(なぜ君は泳げないの？)」

Back to HARISEN's, the sentence means「曲だってお前の好きなベートーヴェンだろうが！(だったらもっとうまく弾けるはずだ。なのになぜできない！？)」
literaly: The piece you played is Beethoven, your favorite! isn't it!?
as the implicature: Why can't you play better!?

多分もっと上手な言い回しの英訳があるでしょうね。
僕の英語力では思いつきませんが。

 

[82riceballs]

From the example sentences provided, I'm guessing that "datte" sort of means "even." (Even he can swim. Why can't you?!/You should be able to, too)

Do the following sentences make sense?

彼だってこんな簡単な事ができるから、あんただって絶対できるよ。
Even he's able to do such an easy thing. (I'm sure) you'll be fine.

or the same thing but without the "kare datte" part:
こんな簡単な事、あんただって絶対できるよ！

彼だってこんな簡単なことに気がつかなかったから。
Even he realized such a simple thing.

おじいさんだってコンピューターができるから
Even Grandpa can use the computer!

So I guess HARISEN's sentence means: "Even the piece is by Beethoven, your favorite composer. [Then, why can't you play it!?!?]" Although no one would translate it like that

Is this correct?

 

[82riceballs]

Also, I tried to compose a sentence with "sekkaku." Is it OK?
せっかく夏休みなのに、毎日は雨だ。
Although it's finally summer vacation, everyday is rainy.
Should I use "yatto" instead of "sekkaku"?

Thanks in advance!

 

[yevgeny]

Hi all,

Is

日本は晴れた日は秋は夏より多いです。

a correct translation of

"In Japan there are more sunny days in autumn than in summer."

I feel it's not - too many は in the sentence.

Thanks.

 

[Buckaroo Banzai]

To 82riceballs: せっかく implies much hard, if not fruitless, work on the part of the speaker, so it is best not to use it when talking about the arrival of summer vacation (an inanimate object). Probably best to use 遂に（ついに）, meaning "at last."

And in regards to だって, your way of translating it makes sense in many of those cases, but I think in the end translating is never a 1 to 1 correspondence. It is usually best to consider the usage of the word/grammar point in it's genuine context rather than rely solely upon an English equivalent since that equivalent may not always match perfectly. At least this is what I have found to be the case. In this respect, Toritoribe's explanation of that usage of だって was particularly effective. I didn't know much about it before I read his post, but now I feel confident that I fully understand that usage without having to think of it in terms of an English equivalent simply because he didn't try to equate it to anything.

I believe this ^^ to be especially necessary in learning Japanese precisely because it bears so little resemblance to Western languages.

 

[82riceballs]

Thanks for the advice, buckaroo! I'll try my best to remember it

ところで、"Thanks for the advice"は日本語で何と言いますか。
(hope that make sense >.<)

 

[Toritoribe]

From the example sentences provided, I'm guessing that "datte" sort of means "even." (Even he can swim. Why can't you?!/You should be able to, too)...

You're right in HARISEN's case. But, as Buckaroo Banzai said, the keyword is not only だって.

彼(に)だってできるんだから(君もできる) ＝ 彼でも/彼にも/彼もできるんだから
彼(に)だってできるのに(君はできない/なぜ君はできない？) ＝ 彼でも/彼にも/彼もできるのに

順接・逆接、激励・叱責、無理にalso使わなくてもどれもevenで大丈夫なんですかね？そう思って余計な説明加えたんだけど。Elizabethさんとかundrentideさんとかに聞いてみたい気がしますが。(突然お名前出してすいません)
それともこれもやっぱり文脈によるのかな？

Is it OK?
せっかく夏休みなのに、毎日は雨だ。
Although it's finally summer vacation, everyday is rainy.
Should I use "yatto" instead of "sekkaku"?

せっかく夏休みになったのに、毎日(が)雨だ。
せっかくの夏休みなのに、毎日雨だ。
NOTE:
せっかく; adverb
せっかくの; substantive usage ＋ possessive particle の ＝ adjectival usage

やっと夏休みが始まったのに、毎日雨だ。
やっと夏休みが始まったと思ったら、毎日雨だ。
ついに夏休みが始まった。なのに毎日雨だ。

Probably all should be fine.

Is
日本は晴れた日は秋は夏より多いです。
a correct translation of
"In Japan there are more sunny days in autumn than in summer."

日本では夏より秋のほうが晴れる日/晴れの日が多いです。
日本では夏より秋に晴れる日/晴れの日が多いです。

ところで、"Thanks for the advice"は日本語で何と言いますか。
(hope that make sense >.<)

In polite,
教えていただいてありがとうございます

Perfect!
ところで、"Thanks for the advice"は日本語では何と言いますか。
as well.

 

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, it means well, so in this case you are saying something like (hard to translate wakaru withou context) 'I'm no expert, but...' Its just means that you don't 分かる well, or are saying that to be modest.
My question: Something has popped up sometimes in my reading, i.e., in the following example:
警察が電話番号から桜の身元を割り出せなかったのがせめてもの救いだ。
My question is about 救い・もの救い
It seems clear that 救い means something like 'a saving grace.' But what does the もの do here? Is もの救い some kind of set phrase? I tried using this with my language partner and he had no idea what I was talking about, and at the time I didn't have the example to reference...

そうですね。He was just lucky that, the lucky thing was..みたいな感じかな。

あまり良くない状況の中でわずかな良いところを見つけて言う言葉だと思います。


遅くても来ないよりまし。
また、書き込むのが遅くなって本当にごめんね。

And one more question: (person is talking on the phone):
僕はすくし間を置く。 Is this read あいだ or ま here? Also, it does mean, 'I pause for a moment,' right?

「ま」というのが一番自然でしょうかね。。。

 

[Niedy]

皆さん、久しぶり！

Got a question for you, hope you can help! ^-^

that one comes first (I understand it, but maybe you need the context ):
「外海ブランドのイメージモデルを毎年務めるようなモデルなんだから」
and that's the one I don't get:
「我が事ながら驚くほかない」

我が事 = personal affairs
驚く = surprised
ほかない = nothing else (? just my guess work)

I really don't get it... どういう意味でしょうか。

どうぞよろしくお願いいたします！

Thanks for any help


PS: Anyone happens to know what エロネタふる means?

 

[yevgeny]

Is my translation to Japanese correct?

Tomorrow I'll come earlier than today.
明日は今日より早く来ます。

 

[Trapt]

I am thinking of making two sets based in Japan for the card game Magic The Gathering set on a plane that is perpetually trapped in summer. The first set's name should carry the meaning of "surrounded by sunlight". Would "hinata" meaning "in the sun" be fine; or should I use [sunlight]+gawa? The second set's name should be the Japanese translation of "Noontide". What is this?

 

[82riceballs]

I'm attempting to take a stab at conversational Japanese by writing semi-realistic conversations. Please take a look at them and tell me if they're fine/don't make sense/suck. Please help me correct them. Personally, I think I'm confusing the masculine/feminine speech patterns...

Customer & store employee
1 A: へーっ！このお茶はかなりおいしいです！少し赤いですから、紅茶はずでしょう？あるいは緑茶ですか？
A: Hey! This tea is rather delicious! It's a bit red, so it should be red tea, right? or is it green tea?
B: いいえ、どちらもではありません。これは上等のウーロン茶です。お気にいればお客さんに送ってもよろしいですか。
B: No, neither. This is top quality oolong tea. If you like it, we can give some to you for free.

２ A: こんな子供でも分かれる概念、なぜお前はわからんのか？バカじゃないのよ！
A: Why is it that you can't understand a concept that even children understand? You're stupid!
B: ウルセーっ！いつも生徒を「バカ」とか「ぼけ」とかの言葉と呼べば何か目的を果たせるんだ？！ こんな基本的な常識のない人に会っては初めてだ！
B: Shut up! What goal can you achieve by calling your students words like "stupid" or "fools." It's the first time I've met someone who lacks such basic common sense!
A: 口答えすんな！俺もこんなに下手くそな生徒を教えては初めてだ。お前だけが苦しいだと思うね？ふざけんな！
A: Don't talk back to me! It's also the first time I've taught such a hopeless student. You think you're the only who's suffering? Don't joke around!

Thanks for any help!

 

[szikani]

I'm translating song and I have problem with this part... can someone help me?
深苦深苦溶けるように深苦辛苦痛苦哀す
溺れて逝くあやうさに艶かさに惹かれて逝く

yevgeny - I think your translation is correct ^^

 

[undrentide]

Niedyさん、おひさしぶりです。

that one comes first (I understand it, but maybe you need the context ):
「外海ブランドのイメージモデルを毎年務めるようなモデルなんだから」
and that's the one I don't get:
「我が事ながら驚くほかない」
我が事 = personal affairs
驚く = surprised
ほかない = nothing else (? just my guess work)
I really don't get it... どういう意味でしょうか。

我が事＝自分のこと。「我が」というのは古い言葉で「私の」という意味です。
古い言葉ですが、今でもよく使われます。
驚くほかない： ［～する]（より）ほかはない、ほかにない、という言い方もします。
どれも「～せずにはいられない」という意味になります。
「我が事ながら驚くほかない」
自分のことではあるけれど、驚かずにはいられない。
自分のことにもかかわらず、驚いてしまうなあ。

PS: Anyone happens to know what エロネタふる means?

「ネタ」はこの場合、話題のことです。
ネタをふる（振る）＝その話題で話を始める、（話をしているときに）その話題に変える、など。
エロは英語のeroticから来ていますが、そういう話を始める、というところでしょうか。

 

[Elizabeth]

皆さん、久しぶり！

Got a question for you, hope you can help! ^-^

that one comes first (I understand it, but maybe you need the context ):
「外海ブランドのイメージモデルを毎年務めるようなモデルなんだから」
and that's the one I don't get:
「我が事ながら驚くほかない」

「我が事ながら驚くほかない」というのは、「我が事ながら驚くしかない」。。。こんな感じでしょうね。

深苦深苦溶けるように深苦辛苦痛苦哀す
溺れて逝くあやうさに艶かさに惹かれて逝く

Can you catch some of the words yourself, although I think some are surely "ateji" kanji that normally take hiragana, then we can help by putting them to grammar ?

 

[82riceballs]

Does this Japanese sentence make sense? It doesn't necessarily have to have a one-to-one correspondence with the English "translation." (This is my first attempt at "not only...but also" in Japanese)

エレナは愛国心だけではなく、愛郷心もあるよ。
Elena not only loves her country, but also is her hometown.

 

[SushiShin]

Got some questions:

From English to Kanji:

1) Helene (since my galfriend is called Helene)

2) its for my work (DiamondMuseum) a kind of nametag for on my desk:

Student of the Diamond University for Polishing and Cutting

3) and a phrase:

I'm sorry, please forgive me japanese it's been a while since i spoken it so please forgive my mistakes.