Any question that does not deal specifically with grammar or pronunciation. Includes questions about prefixes, suffixes, compound words, loanwords, dialectal differences, pragmatic usage, etc. In other words, phenomena that occurs at the level of the word.
7
votes
1answer
679 views
What's the difference between “マグロ” (maguro), “ツナ” (tsuna), and “シーチキン” (shiichikin)?
It seems that there are (at least) three words for "tuna" in Japanese:
"マグロ" / "鮪" / "まぐろ" (maguro) - Seems to be the native name for the creature and used at least in sushi
"ツナ" (tsuna) - Seems to ...
6
votes
2answers
314 views
What is the difference between 特殊 and 特別?
I've got two questions. Firstly, what is the difference between 特殊 tokushu and 特別 tokubetsu?
Secondly, is it true that all these grammar forms are correct:
特別な tokubetsu na ＋ [noun]
特殊な tokushu na ...
5
votes
3answers
177 views
Why use 数年 in あれから１０数年?
My question is on 「あれから１０数年」. My understanding is that this translates to roughly, "It's been 10 years since then."
The dictionary says「数年」 means "several years" or "a number of years". How does ...
5
votes
1answer
151 views
パソコンが 得意だ/わかる/上手だ
So I was studying through this book called 日本語生中継 and there was this question where you're supposed to choose the inappropriate word among others. And I got stuck at this sentence:
...
5
votes
1answer
148 views
The logic behind “くすぐったい”
I am interested in the literal meaning of くすぐったい. If くすぐったい is equivalent to the English expression, "That tickles!" (said by someone being tickled), what is the literal meaning of this word? If it is ...
5
votes
3answers
173 views
Is タオル used for the towels used at onsen?
onsenjapan.net claims that タオル is used for "towel", presumably the large one. When I asked a staff member at Odeo onsen "これ は 何 ですか?" while indicating the large towel I was holding, the staff member ...
4
votes
2answers
257 views
is “超” (chō) seldom used in written works?
Is it true that the prefix 超 to mean “very” is seldom used in written works (like novels.. but of course i do not count the words between the 「 and 」), and is usually only used when talking?
3
votes
1answer
180 views
What does で分かる mean?
I have a hard time understanding the use of でわかる. I'm guessing that it doesn't just simply mean that "something is understood". Instead I wonder if it means that "something was realized"? I read the ...
3
votes
3answers
219 views
善くも as opposed to よく
I found this line in the song,”三年目の浮気”:
よくいうよ 惚れたお前の負けだよ
How can you say that...you fell for me and lost
At first I thought it was the よく meaning often, but someone told me it was an ...
3
votes
3answers
146 views
What are the particular words for the first iteration of things?
Does anyone know the sorts of items for whose first iteration Japanese people have special names? The only example I can remember at the moment is for the first leader or, to be precise, (and reveal ...
3
votes
2answers
368 views
How do I convey “As you all know”?
Having been trying to write a "sakubun", I must say that I had some trouble to find a reliable translation for the phrase "as you all know" such as:
As you all know, the education system in our ...
3
votes
2answers
127 views
Are there names like ワンコイン for the other coins?
So ワンコイン refers to a 500円 coin, but is there other names for the other coins?
Also in conversation does ワンコイン refer to any specific currency or only to 500 yen (as in the sense of being a default).
2
votes
1answer
92 views
How to say “for”
I will use a specific example.
I was trying to write "My love for you is hurting me."
"私の愛ために貴方は私を傷つけている。" Is what I came up with, however, I am unsure about the usage of "ために" in this situation.
...
2
votes
4answers
275 views
How do I write “Hard Work and Smart Work”?
I want to write an essay, the title is "Difference between Hard Work and Smart Work".
I am trying to search japanese words to express those Hard Work and Smart Work.
I wrote "重労働とスマートな仕事の相違点".Would ...
1
vote
1answer
110 views
Is there a word or phrase for “run around”?
I'd like to know if there is a phrase similar to the English phrase of "running around". To explain more clearly, it should mean to be able to go out freely and do whatever one like's without being ...
