16

For example:

柔和{にゅうわ}な線{せん}で縁取{ふちど}られた宝石{ほうせき}のような瞳{ひとみ}に、ほっそりとした顎{あご}、綺麗{きれい}な鼻筋{はなすじ}。美人{びじん}っていう人{ひと}の条件{じょうけん}しっかりと備{ととの}えちゃってる。

What is the purpose of the と in ほっそりとした instead of just saying ほっそりした?

Also what's the difference the following two?

美人っていう人の条件しっかり備えちゃってる

美人っていう人の条件しっかり備えちゃってる

Thank you!

3
  • Edited the formatting of the question just to make it easier to read. Had to search a bit for ほっそりとした and for the difference between the two sentences.
    – seafood258
    Jun 11, 2015 at 6:17
  • Don't you think it sounds cooler with と in it?
    – oldergod
    Jun 11, 2015 at 6:57
  • 1
    Heh. I think it sounds more casual without と or を.
    – chocolate
    Jun 11, 2015 at 7:14

1 Answer 1

15

1.「Onomatopoeic Adverb + Verb/Verb Phrase」

2.「Onomatopoeic Adverb + + Verb/Verb Phrase」

The difference between the two in meaning and nuance is fairly subtle and minimal and both are equally correct.

When 「と」 is added, it can sound slightly more formal and for that reason, it tends to be more often used in writing than in speaking. The 「と」 places a small amount of emphasis on the onomatopoeic adverb as well. Please note, however, that these are merely tendencies and are, by no means, rules.

Also what's the difference the following two?

美人っていう人の条件しっかり備えちゃってる

美人っていう人の条件しっかり備えちゃってる

There is no difference in meaning -- none. Both sound pretty informal because of the 「ちゃってる」 endings. It just so happens that each entence omits one particle.

Needless to say, 「~~ちゃってる」 is the colloquial form of 「~~てしまっている」.

Extra:

(For those of you who did not know, we have a ton of onomatopoeic adverbs that are in the physical form of

Kana + small っ + kana + り」=「〇っ〇り」.

How many of these you can freely and actively use would be directly related to how natural your Japanese is. We use a few of them on a daily basis.)

A good list can be found here: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM4H-IIM/k010502.htm

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