Questions tagged [word-requests]
Topics related to finding a word that fits a meaning.
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How do you say “or” at the beginning of a sentence?
For example, if I was saying something like “Did you buy the groceries?” and then I wanted to add “Or do you want me to?” how would I translate the “or” at the beginning?
Another example: “Do you ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
Saying “fill up”?
I work at an ice cream store that also is a gas station and we sell pints and half gallons of our ice cream in ice cream cases near the drink coolers too. How would I say “fill up” in the sense of ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
Expressing “to” - stuff to do, a movie to see, etc
how would this use of “to” be expressed in japanese?
There are three new movies to see at the theater!
We have more food to eat.
4
votes
1answer
402 views
About the word 地図
こんにちはー。
私はこの間、春の夜の星座を描いてみました。きれいな形が好きで、覚えたいんです。でも、この絵は、「空の地図」と呼んだらいいですか？
地図 = 地 + 図 ですが、空は、ちがいます。そういえば、「空の図」でいいですか？
どんな言葉が合っていますか？教えてください(^-^)
日本語で質問してみましたが、間違いを許してください(´∀｀)
3
votes
1answer
215 views
Is there a word for non-binary in Japanese?
I’m going to Japan this summer and staying with a host family. I am a non-binary/gender-nonconforming person and I need to tell the program I’m going through in order to place me with a host family. ...
1
vote
0answers
98 views
How to say “to” as in “2 to 3 puppies”, “100 to 120 cm”, “June 3rd to July 4th”, “2010-2015” in Japanese? [duplicate]
What is the correct way to say "to" as in, for example, "2 to 3 puppies", "100 to 120 cm", "from June 3rd to July 4th", "from 2010 to 2015" in Japanese? And does that way apply to spellings with the ...
1
vote
1answer
92 views
How do I make my translation less stilted or flow similar to the original Japanese?
I'm translating the following line of dialogue spoken by Character A to Character B.
「怖がらなくてもいいわ。もう襲ったりしないから」
The translations I made are the following:
"There’s no need to be afraid. Because I ...
4
votes
1answer
110 views
Best Way To Write “Wonderful Cousin” — Subarashī Itoko?
I am making a jewelry box for a cousin who enjoys Japanese language and culture and would like to write "wonderful cousin" on the lid.
Is Subarashī Itoko — すばらしい いとこ — be the best translation?
Would ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
How do you say “canon” as in “official for a story universe”?
There's specific words out there like 正典 meant for the Bible, but what's the common term for referring to a story. As in "the Christmas Special isn't canon for the Star Wars universe". I figure there ...
5
votes
2answers
132 views
What is the Japanese phrase for “art of the horse”?
Does bajutsu 馬術 refer to the use of weapons on horseback, or less specifically the art of the horse riding and horsemanship?
I'm trying to work out if bajutsu is the horse equivalent to kyūjutsu 弓術, ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
How would you translate “more” for use as an interface button?
I'm working on an interface that includes several tabs to organize information about a topic. In the English version, the last tab is labeled "More", and it shows additional details about the topic.
...
5
votes
0answers
193 views
A name for common words that use uncommon kanji?
I didn't see a duplicate for this in the similar questions, so here goes. Is there either a list of words like this, or a name for this type of word (made of two very rare/complex kanji, but the word ...
2
votes
1answer
159 views
How to say someone “feels distant”
I've looked through ALC and Jisho but I couldn't find a good expression to convey that someone feels "distant" especially in a romantic setting.
The best word that I found in Jisho/ALC was よそよそしい. ...
1
vote
0answers
67 views
How to convey the image of the surrounding L.A. desert via translation of 愕然?
I'm trying to find a suitable word/phrase in English that will convey the image shown below while also being suitable for a translation of 荒野, as I want to properly convey the image of a.... rather ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views
How to say “Some” in Japanese
I need to communicate that I am allergic to some sunscreens (but not all).
I know that 'some' is a difficult concept to get across in Japanese, so how would I say it in this specific case?
ie. "(...
1
vote
1answer
155 views
What does it mean to end a sentence with ひとつだけ?
I came across a sentence that ends with ひとつだけ in a book and searching on jisho gave me zero results (https://jisho.org/search/ひとつだけ); nor did searching for the individual parsing of what I remember ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views
What is the Japanese word for a judge in a court of law?
I have looked up judge, but I am finding a number of words and am not sure how they are different. Is there a general word that is most common?
Words I found include:
saibankan 裁判官
saibannin ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
How do I say ''Idle animation'' in Japanese?
I want to know how to say the term ''idle animation'' in Japanese. It's what a character from a videogame does when standing still for too long. Ex: Sonic.
I have seen people in twitter use ''...
7
votes
1answer
111 views
Being caught in an act?
What would be the proper way to phrase such an action, particularly in a casual way? Say, the phrase “Oh, I guess you caught me.” How might a native speaker say this? I know in a criminal context of ...
1
vote
2answers
158 views
Difference between 七転び八起き and 七転八起
I really need someones help and PRONTO!!
So I have finally decided my next Japanese Kanji tattoo! :)
BUT I got one problem when I was doing some research on "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." I ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
I can't identify this kanji ( kanji 当ても)
I've decided to read manga in japanese again, I left it for a couple of years so now I'm out of practice and in need of help. It must be a really simple one but still I want to understand without ...
9
votes
1answer
218 views
Are there more terms similar to 上京 or 来阪 for going to Japanese cities?
I've seen that 上京する "going to Tokyo", 来阪する "going to Osaka" are used to refer to visiting these cities.
What other terms are in use for visiting other cities? Which of them are commonly understood?
2
votes
1answer
151 views
What is the right word for existential goal?
I am looking for a Japanese word that corresponds to life goal. It does not refer to getting a good salary job, marrying with dream S.O., buying exotic cars, or other materialistic/worldly targets. ...
5
votes
2answers
182 views
Appropriate word for “fellow”
I've been wondering how to appropriately say the phrase "My fellow members" lately and I've come up with the phrase 「僕の仲間のメンバーたち」but I feel like there's a more appropriate word for it.
Is there a ...
2
votes
1answer
603 views
How can I say “self-love” in Japanase?
How can I say "self-love" in japanese, when you love yourself in a healthy way, not egoism?
Is 自愛 (Jiai) ok? And does the two pics mean same thing, with diff calligraphy?
13
votes
1answer
518 views
Japanese term for morning office mantra ritual
This is a follow-on question to this question which was asked on the English Language stack.
The phenomenon in question is the typical Japanese workplace ritual where team members will begin the day ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Generic Japanese greeting new people?
The most commonly cited one is Konnichiwa, but knowing that is time specific, can it be used generically in all hours of the day as a "hello" instead of a specific "good afternoon"? Ohayou and ...
5
votes
1answer
98 views
Is there a name for the ending year of an era?
[元]{がん}[年]{ねん} is a term for the first year of an era, i. e. 平成元年=1989 starting with 8 January. But what is the term of the ending one, i. e. 2019 for Heisei?
4
votes
3answers
597 views
How to say “This is how I do […]”?
私はかんじをべんきょうします。
This literally says "I study kanji".
But I would like to say "This is how I study kanji." or "I will show you how I study kanji".
Can anyone help with this structure?
2
votes
1answer
115 views
How to translate “Fill” (in a form)
Say I have a form with differents fields to fill. How do I translate to japanese the word "Fill" (For example I have a button that when pressed will fill all the fields automatically)
6
votes
3answers
190 views
Is there a gender-specific way of using 先輩 or 後輩?
My motivation behind this question is that I want to translate the Chinese word "学妹" into Japanese. 学妹, as you probably have guessed already, refers to a female 後輩. A male 先輩 is 学长，female 先輩 is 学姐，...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
How to say “weeaboo” in Japanese?
What's the best translation of "weeaboo" in Japanese?
I would define a weeaboo as a (generally derogatory term for a) non-Japanese person who is highly interested in manga, anime, Japanese video ...
0
votes
1answer
116 views
Japanese equivalent for “Beta” as in software prototype or early release?
What are the most common terms used by the software industry in Japan to list software as "beta" as in an early release. And how would they translate literally to American English?
Beta software ...
4
votes
3answers
155 views
Is it possible to “be confident in” without using 信 and implying having “faith”?
In academic fields, particularly in science, practitioners are often careful to to say they have confidence in something rather than saying they believe in it. Example: "I am confident the theory of ...
19
votes
2answers
2k views
What's the original japanese word for door, other than the loanword ドア?
I assume that ドア is a loanword from English, unless it's a big coincidence, yet, it's in the top 200 most used Japanese words by frequency in a Japanese words by frequency list. What's the original ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views
What is the word or set-phrases of “grinding/grindy gameplay” as opposed to “power-leveling” in formal/informal Japanese
Background: Japanese online games are known for its grinding process while people often find a way to "power-level" in a certain way so that they can bypass the 'grindy process'.
I have difficulties ...
14
votes
4answers
330 views
Is using 人口 when referencing animal populations alright?
I am writing about that Isle of Dogs movie and I wanted to write 日本の犬の人口. Since it has the character for person in it, I was wondering if it is appropriate for animals. Any help would be appreciated!
1
vote
1answer
165 views
What is the word for an independent-minded person? What is the opposite of that word?
I'm looking for two words: a word that means an independent-minded person and its opposite. Not necessarily a rebel or someone who wants to stand out, but someone who is comfortable sticking with what ...
6
votes
2answers
584 views
Issues translating “get an ultrasound.”
Talking about pregnancy with my Japanese friends has been a challenge because I have struggled to translate some English concepts.
Ultrasound is one of those words.
超音波｛ちょうおんぱ｝ is the word I find ...
-1
votes
1answer
140 views
What does “kittie-kittie-kittie” mean and how is it spelled correctly (in transcription) [closed]
What does the most famous line of the movie Audition (Ôdishon, 1999) mean and how is it transcribed correctly using Latin letters?
It sounds (!) like "kittie, kittie, kittie, kittie, kittie" and is ...
0
votes
1answer
179 views
Is there a term similar to ASL when used in chats?
The abbreviation means age, sex and location. It is used frequently in English. Is there a similar term used in Japanese?
0
votes
2answers
72 views
What is the proper way to use 初回?
How would you say, I saw that movie for the first time? Would you use 初回 or a different word like
第一回? What are the differences between using these words to describe the "first time" doing something ...
1
vote
1answer
156 views
What are the pizza delivery guys called?
I was thinking of the word ピザ配達者, or ピザ人、but it doesn't read right.
0
votes
1answer
105 views
What is the name for a blackboard eraser? [closed]
I found the term 消しゴム but the definition refers to a pencil eraser. Is there a name for a blackboard eraser? Thank you.
https://jisho.org/word/%E6%B6%88%E3%81%97%E3%82%B4%E3%83%A0
2
votes
2answers
81 views
What are the plastic meals featured in restaurants called?
I can point at the food that I would like to order, because there is a plastic representation of it. Is it called purasuchikku shokuji?
3
votes
2answers
171 views
What is the best way to express the concept of “accountability” in Japanese?
I am teaching a class at church on the importance of having an accountability partner to check on our goals, growth, and see whether or not we are fulfilling our plans. Originally, I found that ...
3
votes
2answers
318 views
How do you say “no!” (to stop someone)?
Suppose someone is about to do/say something dangerous/inappropriate. And I want to stop them immediately. In English and Spanish I say "no!" to them. It is an order to stop, short form of "don't do ...
1
vote
1answer
467 views
What term denotes a Japanese style living room?
I searched the word 居間 on Jisho and noticed that it referred to a Western style living room. I originally assumed that リビングルーム referred to a Western style living room. Is there a term for a Japanese ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
The Japanese term for “synonym discussion”?
In English, when I want to know the subtle differences in meaning between similar words I consult a thesaurus's synonym discussion. To give an example of this, see halfway down Merriam-Webster's ...
1
vote
3answers
189 views
How can I say of a person that he or she has an open or closed personality?
How can I say of a person that he or she has an open or closed personality? Is there a standard adjective for that?
