- 27 Apr 2018
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Hello, friends:
I'm trying to get the punch line (if there is one) to a little story in a Minna text book.
Here's the synopsis (as I understand it):
Miguel, (a non-Japanese), is teaching his Japanese friend Spanish. The friend said he needs more lessons, as he's going to Spain next month. Miguel says: "Sure, shall I come Saturday?". The friend says Saturday is good. Miguel shows up on Saturday as promised but there's no friend. The next day Miguel phones his friend and says, "I was at your place yesterday you know...". The friend says: "Didn't we say Saturdays were nice?"
Here are the pertinent bits of the original Japanese:
「じゃ、土曜日も来ましょうか」と聞きました。彼は「土曜日はいいです」と言いました。
[I'll skip the bit about Miguel going to his friend's on Saturday, but no friend...]
日曜日、彼に電話しました。「昨日、あなたの家へ行きましたよ。」「「土曜日はいいです」と言ったでしょう?」「・・・・・。」
What I am thinking is that their misunderstanding turns on one's understanding of what is meant by いい; either that it means good as in "convenient", or good as in "nice/pleasant". Miguel and his friend are apparently each taking いい to mean something different. So, is that all there is to this??? I feel like I"m over thinking it, but given the context of the discussion, (arranging extra Spanish lessons), the misunderstanding seems unlikely. So what am I missing?If anyone would like to help me undertstand this that would be great! Thank you!