Japanese Language Questions? Ask Here.

In Japanese, is there an expression that is similar to "sacrifice the flesh to crush the bone"? Can anyone write out the phonetic version of the Japenese version in english if possible?

Does "douskoi" mean anything or is it only an exclamation?

i have read that some people watch doramas without subtitles so they can better listen to what the people are saying and learn that way. I have extremely limited vocabulary (only a few words really). could i try and learn this way? would it work? and are there any specific shows that would be good to learn from this way. thanks in advance

alexgamerz wrote:i have read that some people watch doramas without subtitles so they can better listen to what the people are saying and learn that way. I have extremely limited vocabulary (only a few words really). could i try and learn this way? would it work? and are there any specific shows that would be good to learn from this way. thanks in advance

I would be very surprised if you learned anything at all that way. There's no easy way to learn Japanese, but the best way would be with proper lessons, preferably with a native or fluent speaker.

alexgamerz wrote:i have read that some people watch doramas without subtitles so they can better listen to what the people are saying and learn that way. I have extremely limited vocabulary (only a few words really). could i try and learn this way? would it work? and are there any specific shows that would be good to learn from this way. thanks in advance

its helped me but i find japanese variety show are much better to learn japanese this way.

a-nesuto wrote:

its helped me but i find japanese variety show are much better to learn japanese this way.

The cool thing about variety shows is that they usually have subtitles in kanji/hiragana/katakana so it helps your reading skills as well. (At least is has for me.) [/list:u]

alexgamerz wrote:i have read that some people watch doramas without subtitles so they can better listen to what the people are saying and learn that way. I have extremely limited vocabulary (only a few words really). could i try and learn this way? would it work? and are there any specific shows that would be good to learn from this way. thanks in advance

in your case i would rather watch the tv series with (soft) subtitles first, and repeadetly listen to some parts you think will be useful without the subtitles later on.

You will probably learn more useful japanese from dramas than variety shows, since people in variety shows often exaggerate in their speech or use funny/silly expressions. so for the beginning learning a little simple but clean japanese is recomended. otherwise you will mess up nuance wise in several real life situations later on. also, many subtitles of variety shows probably dont include notes on whether what the speaker said isnt in fact considered rude, but was used to make people laugh or whatsoever.

this became a quite unorganized comment, sorry :)

alexgamerz wrote:i have read that some people watch doramas without subtitles so they can better listen to what the people are saying and learn that way. I have extremely limited vocabulary (only a few words really). could i try and learn this way? would it work? and are there any specific shows that would be good to learn from this way. thanks in advance

I'd learn some basic japanese grammar and vocabulary first before watching dramas without subs. Without a decent grasp of the basics you'll never get further than making out a few words. Japanese grammar is not too complicated, if you're willing to devote some time to it it shouldn't be a problem. Reading and writing however .... :banghead:

Vallkryst wrote:Reading and writing however .... :banghead:

De aru ka!

Hello!

A friend and I are wondering how you have to answer a "-masenka" question, if you want to accept the offer. Is it "hai" or "iie"?
We aren't sure about 'cause it's a negative-formend question ...

The example was this one:
A [is taking a walk with B]: "uchi ni kaerimasenka."
B: "hai, kaerimashou." or "iie, kaerimashou."

Thanks in advance,
maryanne.

you say hai :)

gaijinmark wrote: The cool thing about variety shows is that they usually have subtitles in kanji/hiragana/katakana so it helps your reading skills as well. (At least is has for me.) [/list:u]

Same here, music shows are the same way with the subs, I still have too far to go though, :shamefulcry: but animes are also very good, they're more geared for a younger audience so they use much more simpler words and phrases, helped me learning many of them. :applaud:
Course having both subs helps even more.
[image]

hitomi #1 wrote:
Same here, music shows are the same way with the subs, I still have too far to go though, :shamefulcry: but animes are also very good, they're more geared for a younger audience so they use much more simpler words and phrases, helped me learning many of them. :applaud:
Course having both subs helps even more.
[image]

It puts more emphasis on wot their trynna say. It makes watching variety shows funnier in my view. Mabye thats just me,,,just a japanese point of view :sweat:

KAZdoramma wrote:

It puts more emphasis on wot their trynna say. It makes watching variety shows funnier in my view. Mabye thats just me,,,just a japanese point of view :sweat:

I've seen this many times, maybe you know, what are they trying to say when they use katakana for Japanese words? It seems strange so there must be some cultural meaning to doing it.

Or sometimes they will say a Japanese word, but the subtitile will be written with English letters.

I'm so confused...

-Dave

desert-raven wrote:

I've seen this many times, maybe you know, what are they trying to say when they use katakana for Japanese words? It seems strange so there must be some cultural meaning to doing it.

Or sometimes they will say a Japanese word, but the subtitile will be written with English letters.

I'm so confused...

-Dave

Usually it's for emphasis. If they say "‚‚²‚¢" (tsugoi) it's great. But if the subtitle says "ƒcƒSƒC" in katkana, then it's REALLY great!!

gaijinmark wrote:

Usually it's for emphasis. If they say "‚‚²‚¢" (tsugoi) it's great. But if the subtitle says "ƒcƒSƒC" in katkana, then it's REALLY great!!

ummm yeah the general jist of wot ur trynna say is correct. Putting more emphasis on wot people say on the show gives more flow to the conversations and stuff,. :victory:

and gaijinmark, i think u meant ‚·‚²‚¢HH

KAZdoramma wrote:
and gaijinmark, i think u meant ‚·‚²‚¢HH

Yeah, you're right, gomen :bow: It's still early Friday morning here. :beaten:

I miss kokuou :puppydog:

gaijinmark wrote:

Yeah, you're right, gomen :bow: It's still early Friday morning here. :beaten:

no prbs, didnt mean to be too picky :sweat: :victory: :bonk:

KAZdoramma wrote:

It puts more emphasis on wot their trynna say. It makes watching variety shows funnier in my view. Mabye thats just me,,,just a japanese point of view :sweat:

I always thought too because there are so many ways to pronunce things, putting the Kanji lets you what word they are saying. :doh: Have watched dramas when someone said their name, then people ask what Kanji they used to spell it. :hehe: No, it's not just you, seems more interesting putting the dialouge with it and if you don't mind constantly pausing the video, both subs really are good.(if they're translated right)
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Hi all,

Very recently, my cousin's husband's mother in Japan passed away. I met her husband but not the mother.

I need to send condolences to my cousin and her husband but don't know what or (or course) how to say it.

If there're native speakers out there, can you please provide me with the appropriate/polite wording, please? I can speak some Japanese but these types of situations are unknown territory for me.

Really appreciate the help! Onegai shimasu.

Sengo wrote:Hi all,

Very recently, my cousin's husband's mother in Japan passed away. I met her husband but not the mother.

I need to send condolences to my cousin and her husband but don't know what or (or course) how to say it.

If there're native speakers out there, can you please provide me with the appropriate/polite wording, please? I can speak some Japanese but these types of situations are unknown territory for me.

Really appreciate the help! Onegai shimasu.

S‚æ‚肨‰÷‚â‚ݐ\‚µã‚°‚Ü‚· [kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu] (Meaning: Me deepest condolences).

If you just want to say, "My condolences," then perhaps ‚²D—l‚Å‚· (goshuushou sama desu)