Questions tagged [word-choice]
使い分け. The differences between two or more words or phrases and how to select the best one for a given situation.
2,679
questions
7
votes
2answers
216 views
Oneself words difference : 自分, 自身, 自ら, 自分自身, 己, 自己, 自力
I know it's a huge topic, but I can't understand the differences between all this ways to say oneself, and by extension yourself, himself, herself ...
If anyone can help me to have a picture of the ...
7
votes
1answer
207 views
+50
の ⋆ こと ⋆ というの ⋆ ということ Used as Complementizers
I'm trying to figure out differences in meaning in nuance among all the ways to express X that Y.
As in:
こんなによく遅刻をするというのは問題ですよ。
"It's a problem that you're late this often," or "That ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
Why can't により be used with “concrete, tangible objects”?
According to "A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar" p. 297, により/によって can be used as "a particle that indicates means"
その問題は話し合いに{よって/より}解決出来るはずだ。
We should be able to ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
explanation of 俺だったが [duplicate]
Hi I have found the following sentence
"普段学校に行かず家に引き篭もっている俺だったが、今日は珍しく外出をした。"
translated as:
Normally I stay locked in my room. Don’t even go to school. But today,
for once, I left the ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Is “悪くならない” an okay replacement for ”日持ち”?
Would "悪くならない” be used correctly if we're referring to food and how it won't go bad as fast because of preservatives and can it be used instead of using "日持ち”? I know that "...
broccoli facemask - cloth
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3
votes
4answers
431 views
What is the difference between ~たい and ~ことを望む?
I have been trying to translate some English sentences into Japanese. I have been asking people on OKWAVE to translate these sentences. I am happy to say that the results have been mostly satisfactory....
5
votes
2answers
288 views
What is the difference between 振る and 揺る?
Both of these words seem to mean "to shake". From what I got:
振る is "higher frequency" shaking.
揺る is more like a swaying or rocking motion, "lower frequency".
Is this correct? An explanation would ...
2
votes
1answer
92 views
How to read this text without any particles?
I have a Japanese promotional postcard that has this text
料金受取人払郵便
and a box with this text in it
牛込局承認 6479
Does this say that the person receiving the postcard will pay postage followed by a permit ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Please give feedback on my Japanese class presentation on food additives [closed]
Here's my presentation, I'm in high school right now in the highest level Japanese class they have, but I want to know if my grammar is wrong or if I can improve some things in it, as well as slowly ...
broccoli facemask - cloth
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1
vote
1answer
54 views
What is the difference between 痛み and 疼き?
What is the difference between 痛み and 疼き?
Both words mean 'pain', 'ache'. Is there any difference in usage of these words except of frequency?
Feel free to provide examples.
Thank you.
1
vote
1answer
134 views
Difference between すれ違う, 外れる and ずれる plus something about grammar
I've heard in a song the following line:
すれ違い心見えたなら
「要らない，要らない」しないのに
貴方はいつも貴方のまま
This seems to mean something like "If I met someone whose feelings differed from mine, I wouldn't say 'I don't need ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
What's the difference between つれて行く and 送りします
つれて行く means to take someone somewhere, eg: 毋はびょういんへつれて行ってくれました
However in the classic ご覧のスポンサーの提供でお送りします,送りしますmeans like "bringing you, taking you." Are these two phrases interchangable?
7
votes
1answer
538 views
When would you use 30分 versus 半 for telling time?
I know telling time in English, you can say "It is 3:30" or "It is half past 3" and they can be used interchangeably.
When telling the time in Japanese, is this still the case? Can ...
0
votes
1answer
90 views
Different ways of enumeration
Japanese seems to have multiple ways of enumerating sequences. The basic one is ordinal numbers:
Arabic (Indian) numbers like in English: 1,2,3
classic Chinese numbers: 一、二、三 etc.
special legal ...
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Difference between はもとより and はもちろん and their respective usage
I would like to know if there is some difference between はもとより and はもちろん in the sense of "let alone" , "not only ... but also".
On a side note, I would like also to know their respective usage (oral/...
12
votes
1answer
390 views
What's the difference between [電光石火]{でんこうせっか} and [疾風迅雷]{しっぷうじんらい}
They both seem to mean "quick as lightning". What are the nuances between them? In what sort of context would they be used? Are they interchangeable? etc.
1
vote
1answer
110 views
What is the difference between 当 and この?
I am making a website and needed inspiration for a "404 not found" page in Japanese.
Going to a non-existent page on Amazon.co.jp (ex: amazon.co.jp/aaaaaaa) gives this message:
何{なに}かお探{さが}...
2
votes
1answer
109 views
Differentiate between usages of 全部: all or completely?
Relatively new learner here. In a forum on Duolingo, as the app itself only teaches by example, there's a discussion regarding translating this phrase:
窓{まど}は全部{ぜんぶ}閉{し}まっていますか？
Without「全部」it seems ...
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2
votes
0answers
42 views
Connotations of なら vs たら in conditional clauses
I am wondering about the choice of, and general necessity of, なら in the following sentence.
ドイツでは、ウイルスがうつらないように気をつけているなら、店を開くことができます。(from NHK Easy)
* In Germany, businesses may remain open if they ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
許してやる forgiveness?
I was wondering if i said 許してやる it would come across as " i will forgive you" or something else...?
1
vote
1answer
68 views
What's the difference between 済ませる【すませる】 and 終える【おえる】?
What's the difference between 済ませる【すませる】 and 終える【おえる】?
I've tried looking at jisho.org, goo.ne.jp, ALC, HiNative and here, but I'm still unsure about the difference between these two words. I think it ...
4
votes
1answer
131 views
What is the difference between 端, 縁 and 先っちょ?
I struggle to visualise the differences between 端, 縁 and 先っちょ after
reading many examples and definitions online:
The approximate english translations are very similar:
端: end, tip, point margin (...
1
vote
0answers
68 views
に+しよう and って欲しい in requesting [closed]
What's the difference between:
俺に行こう
俺に行って欲しい
They both mean "you want me to go". When should I use each of them?
3
votes
1answer
122 views
What's the proper form (formal/informal) to use when speaking to others online?
I should preface this by saying that I myself am fairly young (a teenager) and speak primarily to other young people (while I may not know their exact age, it's safe to assume the other people I speak ...
3
votes
2answers
318 views
Confusion regarding the usage of 〜たいものだ
In the grammar exercise book for JLPT N2, I came across the following question:
（ ）を食べてみたいものだ。
a. あ、このおいしそうな料理
b. 今日はユリさんのうちで手料理
c. 一度、その珍しい魚
the correct answer is c.
The explanation of the original ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
Is there a difference between 「どこからか」 and 「どこかから」?
While reading a child's fairy book, I came across with the following sentence:
人間界に着いたおばけのドロロンは「人間いないかなー♪子供はいないかなー♪」子供の魂をさがそうと街をフラフラ。すると、どこからかいい匂いが漂ってきました。「なんて甘くて美味しそうな匂い…」
I googled and found ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
How to join a noun and a verb
How does one join a noun and a verb? Example:
友達に行かせるのは初めてで最後にするわ - This is the first and last time I will let my friend force me to go
I used で to join the noun 初めて and 最後 in the example above, but ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
What's the difference between 「言う」「話す」「喋る」「語る」?
Are 「言う」「話す」「喋る」「語る」 interchangeable in the following sentences? Why or why not?
「ああ」と言って、田中は友達の顔を眺めた…
学校にあったことを父に話す。
自分の考えを友達に話した。
人と話すのが好きです。
ああ！カエルが喋った！
彼は皆の前で、将来の大きな夢を語りました。
...
0
votes
0answers
40 views
や at the end of a sentence [duplicate]
もういいや
割り捨てていいや
In the sentences above, what does the や do? Let's say there is no や, how would the meaning change?
1
vote
0answers
64 views
i wanted to name myself a Japanese name,(first-last) but i wanted to know if it was okay to do so
Can someone please answer my question somehow? I would like to respect and honor the means of Japanese people/culture. I did not want to name myself a Japanese name without permission from the ...
0
votes
1answer
306 views
What do you call males in their late teens/early twenties?
For example, what word would I use to say like “Boys are cute” or “Guys are cute”? I’m 19, so what word would fit me? 男？
0
votes
2answers
109 views
Asking What's the logic?
If i want to ask what is the logic behind something does :その中の論理は何ですか
Work?
0
votes
4answers
164 views
How to write “I am going to talk about a place that I like”
I am taking a Japanese course and I was told to write a composition about a place I like.
I have currently just finished the first book of Minna no nihongo, which is up to lesson 12.
I am thinking of:
...
2
votes
2answers
112 views
自分自身らしくいてください (double checking the meaning)
I want to double check the meaning of the sentence above. I have the word(s) 自分自身 and I need to use it in a sentence that expresses the essence of "please be yourself." For context, the ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
What's the difference between 「ご飯を食べる」「ご飯を済ます」 and 「ご飯を済ませる」?
「ご飯を食べる」「ご飯を済ます」 and 「ご飯を済ませる」, they all mean to finish breakfast/ lunch/ dinner, what's the nuance between them?
I tried to get it out but there are totally different explainings about the difference....
1
vote
1answer
67 views
What are the differences between 依頼【いらい】、需要【じゅよう】、請求【せいきゅう】、注文【ちゅうもん】、要求【ようきゅう】 and 要請【ようせい】?
What are the differences between 依頼【いらい】、需要【じゅよう】、請求【せいきゅう】、注文【ちゅうもん】、要求【ようきゅう】 and 要請【ようせい】?
I've looked at jisho.org and tried searching for answers on HiNative, but couldn't find a clear enough ...
2
votes
2answers
348 views
Am I understanding this alright? あの武器のプレイは、皆さんが想像している通りのものになると思います
I was reading an interview from a game magazine and I'm not sure if I understand what the director of a game is saying when he was asked a question. He was asked if he could tell some details about ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
How to express “and” [duplicate]
For example, "I will stop working and will try not to go anymore"
The only pattern I know here is もう頑張らなくて行かないようにしよう. But this means "I will try to stop working hard and not go anymore&...
1
vote
2answers
92 views
Meaning difference between 夜は明ける and 夜が明ける?
In this song lyrics, 夜が明ける is the name of the song, but until the end of the song 夜は明ける is used. This sounds like there is a distinct meaning difference between the two forms. I read about the ...
0
votes
2answers
167 views
頑張る and 最善を尽くす differences
The words 頑張る and 最善を尽くす both means "do my best". What's the difference and when should I use each of them?
1
vote
1answer
108 views
Number representation in novels
When writing out numbers, I've seen novels especially writing in weird formats. For example:
19- 一九
10- 一〇
I am assuming pronunciation wise, it is really じゅうきゅう and じゅう respectively. What's the ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Exclusive or, does it exist in Japanese?
How do I translate
“Please select either A or B.”
Can the “or” be translated directly, or would I have to work around it like
AもBは, ひとつを選ぶください。
0
votes
2answers
79 views
How is arrowhead said?
So I found some ways in saying arrowhead but found various.
One is 矢じり 「やじり」 and the other one is 石鏃 「せきぞく」
Honestly I got confused with the two. Is 矢じりa Japanese arrowhead or any kind? same question ...
3
votes
2answers
378 views
What is the difference between 鋼{はがね} and 鋼鉄{こうてつ} (two ways to say “steel”)?
From Jisho.org, both 鋼{はがね} and 鋼鉄{こうてつ} mean steel. Are there any differences between them?
1
vote
1answer
88 views
why did they use なく instead of ない
hi i was wondering why なくwas used in this sentence
例えば これが俺ではなく 葉山なら
2
votes
1answer
131 views
I want to be able to speak more casual Japanese. I just wanted to know if it was possible to drop です out of a sentence. example: これは犬
Could I drop です out of a sentence? I want to be able to speak more casual Japanese. I just wanted to know if it was possible to drop です out of a sentence. example: これは犬
5
votes
2answers
336 views
What is the difference between 限る and 限定する?
I'm pretty sure that there's a lot more you can do with 限る than there is with 限定する, (When I looked up 限る, I saw a lot of different usages, such as it meaning "is the best," or "nothing is better than,"...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
までは vs まで difference
What's the difference between saying for example
限界までは我慢する and 限界まで我慢する
I did googled a bit but can't find any relevant answers
2
votes
1answer
77 views
(よ)うが～まいが / (よ)うと～まいと vs かどうか
I'm currently studying some N1 grammar, and I actually find it pretty hard getting a feel of the grammar patterns.
I saw this pattern in my Anki deck:
わたしは他人の話に耳を傾けたわけではないんですが、むこうはきかれていようがいまいが、...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Difference between こと and と, word choices [duplicate]
What's the difference between using these structures
行くことを決めた
行くと決めた
行くことに決めた
行くって決めた
They all mean "I have decided to go". So which one should I use?
