I am currently structuring a class to explain basic English in Japanese. I want to define five English words in Japanese that have meaning similar to parts of speech (ie noun, verb, adjective) but I want to use different words because an English noun and 日本語の名詞 are similar but by no means do they behave in the same way. I know this is an abstract idea but it can be very useful when bridging the gap between the two languages.
I am seeking words that convey the English meaning I want to express while at the same time sound natural to a Japanese speaker. I will include the words I have selected and my attempt to translate them.
1. Exister - 存在 - An exister is something that exists, similar to how a runner is a person who runs. I attempted to be selective with this because of the animate/inanimate distinction in Japanese and I wanted to avoid any unwanted connotations in the analogy.
2. Action - 作用 - An action is similar to a verb, which is described as an "action word" in English,
3. Doer - やり手 - Again, similar to how a runner is someone who runs, a doer is someone or something that does.
4. Receiver - 受信者 - A receiver is a person or a thing that receives.
5. Describer - 描く? / 描き? - This word is something that describes, similar to an English adjective. This word was the most difficult for me to try to find, and I would really appreciate any insight.
To review, I am looking for five 名詞 that:
- sound natural in Japanese
- I can assign new ideas to and still have them sound natural
As I finish this, I am struck with the thought that there are many many katakana words constantly being created in Japanese and maybe this would be the best approach for me? If that is the case, please let me know.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
I am seeking words that convey the English meaning I want to express while at the same time sound natural to a Japanese speaker. I will include the words I have selected and my attempt to translate them.
1. Exister - 存在 - An exister is something that exists, similar to how a runner is a person who runs. I attempted to be selective with this because of the animate/inanimate distinction in Japanese and I wanted to avoid any unwanted connotations in the analogy.
2. Action - 作用 - An action is similar to a verb, which is described as an "action word" in English,
3. Doer - やり手 - Again, similar to how a runner is someone who runs, a doer is someone or something that does.
4. Receiver - 受信者 - A receiver is a person or a thing that receives.
5. Describer - 描く? / 描き? - This word is something that describes, similar to an English adjective. This word was the most difficult for me to try to find, and I would really appreciate any insight.
To review, I am looking for five 名詞 that:
- sound natural in Japanese
- I can assign new ideas to and still have them sound natural
As I finish this, I am struck with the thought that there are many many katakana words constantly being created in Japanese and maybe this would be the best approach for me? If that is the case, please let me know.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
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