Sarcasm in Japanese

D

Drafonis

後輩

29 Aug 2004

7

1

• 4 Nov 2004

• #1

In the Pimsleur course, they say that "It's good weather, isn't it?" translates into "ii ootenki desu ne". However, that is apparently only used when it actually is good weather. But what if you want to say something sarcastically?

For example, again looking at the example "It's good weather, isn't it?". Suppose it's raining, but you want to say something to the extent of the English "It's great weather outside now, eh?" when someone claimed that it was sunny when it was really raining. It seems like "eh" would also translate into "ne". But that would still give you "ii ootenki desu ne", which still wouldn't give a sarcastic feeling to the statement.

My question is, how do you make a statement seem sarcastic?

 

P

PaulTB

Manga Psychic

22 Jan 2004

2,265

59

• 4 Nov 2004

• #2

Drafonis said:

My question is, how do you make a statement seem sarcastic?

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I would suggest not trying. Japanese don't in general have good recognition for friendly sarcasm and dry humour - they're worse than Americans. It's not unlikely that you'll end up offending them if you try.

That said you can sometimes get a laugh by misusing set Japanese phrases in interesting ways.

もしわけ・・・あります。 I have an excuse. (Correct: もしわけありません I have no excuse / sorry)
ありがとうございますけど。 Thanks but

and if you've just been praised for something.

そんなことでも・・・ある。 (Correct: そんなことでもない It's not like that / I'm not that good.）
そんなほんとうのこといわないで。Don't say truthful things like that.

But your milage may vary.

 

Pox

後輩

24 Sep 2004

111

3

• 4 Nov 2004

• #3

Drafonis said:

Suppose it's raining, but you want to say something to the extent of the English "It's great weather outside now, eh?"

My question is, how do you make a statement seem sarcastic?

Click to expand...

I would say "iya~, kyou wa taiyou ga mabushii desu ne."

いや～、今日は太陽がまぶしいですね。

 

S

Scrivener

先輩

8 Sep 2004

204

8

• 4 Nov 2004

• #4

Sarcasm in Japanese is ひにく (皮肉) which reflects the Greek etymology of "tearing the skin and flesh". I think it was only introduced as a word in the Meiji era. The Japanese don't use "mean" humor as much as Westerners. But they are very very good at irony and parody. Women can be sarcastic by being overly polite, if they are really mad.

What I am trying to get at is that you can do what Pox says and speak ironically by going "over the top", but be careful about sarcastic humor when you are talking about people.

 

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

• 4 Nov 2004

• #5

Sarcastic humor more often than not fails miserably.

 

Elizabeth

先輩

22 Apr 2003

9,839

135

• 5 Nov 2004

• #6

日本人には本当のユーモアと言えるものがあるとも思えませんが。。。

 

P

PaulTB

Manga Psychic

22 Jan 2004

2,265

59

• 5 Nov 2004

• #7

mikecash said:

Sarcastic humor more often than not fails miserably.

Click to expand...

You're quite right - and not just with Japanese - but people still insist on trying.

Oh yes, this would seem to be as appropriate a place as any for me to mention that I'm trying out a new signature.

 

K

Kamisama

Ooh, i'm a green belt.

6 Oct 2004

224

2

• 5 Nov 2004

• #8

good example...

where is your homework?

inu ga shukudai o tabemashita. (my dog ate it)

they don't get it...but one day... oh yes one day.. they will get it......