English To Japanese Questions

[��]

yuuhi wrote:

I don't know if this one is asked already cuz I'm too lazy to read ALL the posts, Can a female say "ore/boku" when referring to herself instead of "watashi"? Say Natsumi Tsujimoto of You're Under Arrest, I don't think "watashi" fits her because that is word tooooo soft for her! Hehe!

A woman could use whatever term she wants, but in general, I doubt a woman would use "ore" as it is sort of a "macho" term, maybe in some unusual circumstances. I've heard some young women may use "boku" these days, maybe they are trying to be a little trendy or flashy or something, but it is probably rare.

But I could be wrong.

[yuuhi]

um, everytime i construct japanese sentences i usually put "ore" instead of "watashi" cuz it's shorter. haha i didn't know that sounds strange

[��]

yuuhi wrote:

um, everytime i construct japanese sentences i usually put "ore" instead of "watashi" cuz it's shorter. haha i didn't know that sounds strange

A girl will often shorten "watashi" to "atashi", which is a feminine way to say "I/me".

Old people shorten "watashi" to "washi".

To be extra formal/polite sometimes people use "watakushi".

Plus there are even more ways to say "I/me" that I see in my dictionary, but I think they must be rare.

[Tu_triky]

�� wrote:

A girl will often shorten "watashi" to "atashi", which is a feminine way to say "I/me". Old people shorten "watashi" to "washi". To be extra formal/polite sometimes people use "watakushi". Plus there are even more ways to say "I/me" that I see in my dictionary, but I think they must be rare.

sometimes "boku" is used as well.

[��]

Tu_triky wrote:

sometimes "boku" is used as well.

Yes, we talked about boku a couple posts back. It is somewhat commonly used by men, perhaps mostly by younger men, although I've seen even men well into their middle age use it. And to reiterate, I've read that some young women have taken to using "boku", although I don't think I've ever seen that in a drama.

I'm trying to remember if Aya Ueto's gender bending character in Kinpachi used ore/boku (or other specifically male speech), but my memory fails me. Anyone remember? I'll have to dig that season up out of my stratigraphically indexed pile some day.

[Tu_triky]

�� wrote:

Yes, we talked about boku a couple posts back. It is somewhat commonly used by men, perhaps mostly by younger men, although I've seen even men well into their middle age use it. And to reiterate, I've read that some young women have taken to using "boku", although I don't think I've ever seen that in a drama. I'm trying to remember if Aya Ueto's gender bending character in Kinpachi used ore/boku (or other specifically male speech), but my memory fails me. Anyone remember? I'll have to dig that season up out of my stratigraphically indexed pile some day.

oops, i joined the convo late.....

[tabana]

Also, sometimes people say their name instead or I/me. I've heard it a few times and mostly by girls. Is it to sound cuter?


I like Satomi's lips. --> tabana like Satomi's lips.
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[��]

tabana wrote:

Also, sometimes people say their name instead or I/me. I've heard it a few times and mostly by girls. Is it to sound cuter?

I'm kinda curious about that too. I think you're right, but I would add that it may also be to sound a little humble. I've heard that Japanese avoid saying "watashi" a lot (in comparison to the fairly common use of "I" by English speakers), because it sounds egotistical.

[Anime Dad]

I got my first opprtunity to actually use my Japanese the other day, when I rang one of my employer's Japanese suppliers. It went well, up to a point - then I got stuck and reverted to English. Luckily my contact speaks a little English also! So, here's my convo, please help me with the last bit. Remember it's a phone conversation: (Names changed)

Receptionist: Moshimoshi
Me: Moshimoshi. Itoh san onegaishimasu.
(Call put through)
Itoh: Moshimoshi.
Me: Konnichiwa Itoh san. George Smith desu. .............. and then I realised I did not now how to say "from XYZ company". so I reverted back to english Can someone please tell me what comes next?
Thanks!

[��]

Anime Dad wrote:

Me: Konnichiwa Itoh san. George Smith desu. .............. and then I realised I did not now how to say "from XYZ company".

When formally introducing yourself in Japanese, you typically cite your affiliation (company, school) first. This is pretty common in a business situation.

So maybe:

"XYZ company no George Smith desu, douzo yoroshiku."

Would be a good way to introduce yourself on the phone.

[Anime Dad]

Oh, I never knew that. Thanks, i'll try it next time!

[setfree]

XYZ kaisha no jooji sumisu to omoshimasu YO! hehe sounds kinda flashy

[kokuou]

setfree wrote:

XYZ kaisha no jooji sumisu to omoshimasu YO! hehe sounds kinda flashy

I guess those "years" you spent studying Japanese didn't do much good, either, huh?

If you're going to give advice on Japanese, make sure it's correct information.

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"I like the word 'indolence'. It makes my laziness seem classy."
-Bern Williams

[ahochaude]

ouch


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[setfree]

There doesn't look like there's ever a sense of humor with you, kokou. I already started playing nice, you should do the same asshole

[Anime Dad]

erm, insulting a moderator is not going to get you very far setfree.

[setfree]

Ok

[ahochaude]

setfree wrote:

Ok

Thank you for your cooperation.

Let's keep this clean and erase all past 'confrontations'.

Clean slate, so to speak.
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[setfree]

HAHAHA aight man thats coo. I'll go ahead and apologize to all the people's feelings i hurt and i hope kokou didnt get fired talking smack back to me. my bad kokou, youre a cool guy, especially if you get paid to speak this language yo

[setfree]

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