Tagged Questions
5
votes
1answer
150 views
How to say “open Pandora's box” in Japanese?
How to say "open Pandora's box" in Japanese?
Ex.:
When I asked Jane about her problems, I didn't know I had opened Pandora's box.
What kind of Pandora's box do we open if we decide not ...
2
votes
1answer
237 views
“How did you know?” and “how do you know?” in Japanese
As explained in this question on the English site, there is a distinction in English between saying "How did you know?" and "How do you know?"
When someone makes an assertion, the distinction ...
2
votes
1answer
423 views
Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water
A recent post about translation reminded me of the following saying:
Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water.
It is said to be coming from zen ...
1
vote
2answers
95 views
Questions about this sentence
"当時の関係者何人かにあたって記憶を確かめてみたが、人の記憶の欠落部分というのは、捏造で補われる仕組みになっているらしく、共通の体験が、しばしば、お互いに矛盾する記憶になっていることに驚かされた。"
What does "にあたって" mean there ?
"驚かされた" is referring to what/whom exactly ?
Does "関係者何人か" mean ...
6
votes
1answer
116 views
Translation of 「そんなことない」
What is a correct translation for 「そんなことない」 and when can it be used?
I understand the "this is wrong"/"this is not correct" general sense but is this considered either as harsh or a gentle way of ...
6
votes
4answers
343 views
word search: voluntary pause between desire and action
Some years ago, I read that Japanese has a word (or idiomatic expression) that means roughly:
The action of voluntary interposing a pause between the
moment you desire something and the moment you ...
4
votes
1answer
240 views
What is the harshness of についてとやかく言う?
あなたの私生活についてとやかく言うつもりはありません。
I don't give a damn about your personal life.
I have also seen についてとやかく言う translated as "quibble over".
Could another translation of this sentence be:
...
7
votes
6answers
484 views
How to say “What's it to you?” in Japanese?
What would be appropriate expressions or idioms to convey the typical English response:
What's it to you?
(in a sense that goes somewhere between "None of your business" and "This is not your ...
