Questions tagged [word-usage]
語法. The usage of the words.
339
questions
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Can フラれて be used in any non-romantic sense?
Something like “shocked” or “deceived”. Or rejected by friend, not by lover. Or in the situation where the person ignored someone’s problem.
Really, any non-romantic meaning, even it’s not common.
2
votes
1answer
87 views
What's the difference between 閉じる and 塞ぐ?
So i was doing Kanji Quiz, and i stumbled with 塞ぐ Kanji. I know 閉じる is used for eyes,etc. But 塞ぐ also has the same definition with 閉じる.
Here are the definitions.
Definitions
塞ぐ
to stop up; to close ...
5
votes
1answer
184 views
Parsing ふりする in song lyrics
I recently started watching 宇宙よりも遠く場所 on Netflix and there's a catchy reoccurring insert song that gets stuck in my head. Looking at the lyrics, I'm confused by the second to last line:
...
1
vote
1answer
254 views
When people use ざっくり？
I recently heard my colleagues use ざっくり which I haven't heard before. When I look it up in dictionary it translates to 'roughly; approximately; loosely' or 'deeply (cut or split)' - very different ...
1
vote
1answer
120 views
Can I use “dou” to offer something?
I understand that "dou" means how, and for example おちゃはどうですか means that I'm asking how is the tea? But, in Busuu app it says that I can use the same question to offer something, as if I'm ...
1
vote
1answer
97 views
別に meaning as opposed to directly saying “no”
What's the difference between saying 別に and directly saying no.
For example:
A: 行きたいの？
B: 別に （as opposed to saying 行きたくない）
I think they both mean "no, I don't want to go". But please ...
1
vote
2answers
229 views
Use of the "きた” form before するnoun
During my research, I came upon two forms to express the fact of moving to a new house:
ここは 三月前に引っ越ししてきたアパートです。
ここは 三月前に引っ越ししたアパートです。
I don't understand the difference between the two, does the one ...
3
votes
2answers
220 views
How to talk about completing a series?
I was wondering how to convey "today I've completed reading a manga series" or "I've completed watching a TV series". Does "Verb(ます stem)+終わる" sound wrong? Should I use &...
2
votes
1answer
160 views
What does “の先” mean in this line
I translated this song a bit ago for practice and, looking at it again, I am wondering what 先 means here:
ゆるりと 春を愛づる日に
袖振り合う縁の先
私はあなたと出会った
Do you think 先 means "end of our relationship" or ...
3
votes
1answer
88 views
How do the Japanese refer to passage of time in pregnancy?
Though my wife's two pregnancies, I've struggled to describing how much time has passed. Usually, I just revert to just saying how many months she's been pregnant, but in English there are other ways ...
0
votes
1answer
121 views
What is the the meaning of 理 in this sentence?
I am trying to translate this song for practice, and am wondering how 理 (ことわり) is being used in this particular line.
According to Jisho 理（ことわり）means, "reason; logic; sense; natural way of things....
1
vote
1answer
90 views
What's 年度? (Comparing research results)
I'm looking at a study and it's comparing these two:
現状（２６年度）and 調査結果（３０年度）.
So it's comparing the "present condition" and the "research results" but what does the XX年度 mean?
0
votes
0answers
55 views
What is this use of 様 in this sentence?
The sentence is
ああ、この女の様は溺れているようだ。
I'm assuming it is さま and not よう in this case, but why is it there?
0
votes
1answer
55 views
億? How to translate in numbers?
Full text: この結果、連結売上高168億46百万円、連結営業利益24億5百万円、連結経常利益23億41百万円、連結当期純利益12億45百万円となりました.
My issue: How do we translate the numbers in English numerals? Will it be 1,245 million yen or 12.45 billion yen.
0
votes
2answers
192 views
How come such a “strong” expression as なるほど is used in such a “soft” meaning?
Usually ほど is used to refer to some degree/extend that is in some way high, or even approaching/reaching some upper limit.
Given how precise(※) and reserved Japanese usually is, I find it surprising ...
0
votes
0answers
51 views
What's the meaning of “からねぇ” used in the end of a sentence? [duplicate]
I frequently saw or heard the word "から" in some Japanese TV shows, I know the word basically means "since" or "from", but it seems can't always be translated like that.
...
4
votes
3answers
227 views
Difference and usage between こちら and 私
I would like to know the difference between the two sentences
こちらを見ていた
and
私を見ていた
The translation is the same I think
She was looking at me
is こちら and 私 interchangeable when using を after ?
EDIT:...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
What's the difference between 好きな食べ物 and 好物?
好きな食べ物は食べた
好物は食べた
Which is more natural or common in writing or conversation?
Converted into English, is this the same difference between "favorite thing to eat" and "favorite food&...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
なんか違うような help to understand
Why in this phrase なんか used with ような?
「な、なんか違うような……ううむ」
なんか - something like that
ような - like / similar to （or よう - way of doing, but then why な is here?）
For me, this two words almost the same in ...
1
vote
0answers
74 views
The different ways to translate “when”
This is more an observation on English, than Japanese, but the word "when" is used in quite a few different ways. And I've been wondering how to translate these different meanings into ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Japanese term or phrase: 有価証券 [closed]
Full text: その他有価証券評価差額金
My issue: 有価証券. Is it "Securities" or "Marketable Securities"?
My understanding: Valuation difference on other marketable securities
0
votes
0answers
80 views
What does「打ってなかった」mean here?
Someone (Aさん) asks a question on a forum. Bさん provides an answer. I see the answer as incomplete, so I correct Bさん and provide some supplementary information. Aさん, the OP, replies to me:
あ、本当だ。...
2
votes
1answer
52 views
計上, Is it appropriation or recorded?
Full text: 退職給付引当金 ……従業員の退職給付に備えるため、当連結会計年度末にお ける退職給付債務の見込額に基づき計上しております。
My issue: 計上, Is it appropriation or recorded?
My understanding: Retirement benefit allowance... In order to prepare for ...
2
votes
2answers
148 views
the word “Buster” in action-centered fiction
I've noticed that across videogames and anime that focus on fighting and action, the word "buster" is frequently applied as the name of a super powerful weapon. For example, Gunbusters from ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
How should we translate 役員, うち社外?
Full text: 上期報酬等の額には、役員退職慰労引当金の当期増加額(取締役８百万円、監査役０百万円 ３ (うち社外０百万円))が含まれております.
My issue: A) 役員, Which will be the correct officer or executive?
B) うち社外, What will be the correct translation, my guess ...
2
votes
2answers
118 views
Can ごめん, like English 'sorry,' be used to express condolences?
The literal meaning of ごめん is, I know, approximately "forgiveness" in English. However, the vast majority of its usage (that I've seen) is more accurately translated as "I'm sorry,"...
1
vote
1answer
122 views
What does 容姿 mean at the end of the sentence?
I know that 容姿 means (physical) appearance (of a person); one's face and figure.
But I cannot figure it in the following context:(at the end of the sentence)
やはり新参者は珍しいのかやけに注目を集めている 。...と、...
3
votes
2answers
122 views
Can 故の mean “because” without a が preceding it?
I came across this line while reading a manga but was stuck on the 故の portion.
知識欲が行き過ぎた故の職業病なのぉ？
I understood this sentence as, "It's an occupational disease because of (your) excessive thirst ...
3
votes
2answers
127 views
Is there some difference between びっくりする and 驚く besides casual/formal?
Sorry for the "what is the the difference" question, but my usual sources didn't give me a satisfactory answer (「同じです。」...).
From the ways I've seen them used, there seems to be some ...
1
vote
1answer
315 views
Is oniichan also used to refer to a big sister?
Someone just told me their mother speaks Japanese and she says oniichan doesn’t just mean big brother but also big sister. I thought oneechan is the word for big sister though. He also said it’s ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
類型化しておいて. Should we translate this as “categorize” or “classify”?
Full text: さらに検索エンジンの内部では、ユーザーがこれまでにサービスを利用した履歴を集めて興味の範囲が似ているユーザーを類型化しておいて、類型化された好みを検索結果の並べ方に反映します。
My understanding: Furthermore, the search engine's internal system collects the user's previous use ...
0
votes
1answer
57 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
how do we translate 外資を含む in this sentence?
Full text: このためには、都市部における経済活動のボトルネックになっている電力等の都市・産業インフラの脆弱性を抜本的に改善し、外資を含む製造業の立地環境を整備する必要がある。
My understanding: For this purpose, drastic improvements are required in the fragile and vulnerable urban ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
What is 次第 doing in this sentence? [duplicate]
先日の会議の内容は、後ほど書面にてご報告する次第です。
I think the sentence means something along the lines of: "As for the contents of the meeting the other day, it will be reported in writing later."
But this kinda ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
The usage of 回転数 in a sentence
Text: エンジン回転数/電気モーター回転数
My understanding: Engine rpm/Electric motor rpm
My Issue: 回転数 has different meanings such as "rpm", "number of revolutions of the engine", "Engine ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Trying to break down 2 sentences (Genki lesson 15 dialogue 1)
Going through Genki and Lesson 15 has brought up 2 grammar points I can't figure really out.It would help me a lot if I understand how those two sentences are build up and why they need those parts.
...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
Whats the difference between 「睡眠不足」and 「寝不足」?
Is there is any difference between the words 「睡眠不足」(すいみんそく) and 「寝不足」(ねぶそく)?
0
votes
1answer
60 views
My Issue: 低額. Does it mean low-cost or small amount?
Full text: 低額ATM回線サービス(*5)に対応するATM25M/ATM155Mモジュールや、ISDNネットサービスを利用した回線バックアップに対応するBRI/PRIモジュールを装備可能です。
My understanding: It can be equipped with ATM25M/ATM155M modules that support ATM circuit services(...
1
vote
1answer
63 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....
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Function of the という preceding のだろうか?
夕弦は七罪ではなかった。ならば残るは十香、亜衣、殿町、美衣の中の誰かだということなのだろうか。だとしても、夕弦以外に明確に士道の指名を逃れられたと思われる人物はいない。まさか、本当にただ勝負を楽しむためだけに、七罪は自分を危険に晒していたというのだろうか……？
しかしもしそう考えるのなら、その前提自体が無意味ということになってしまう。七罪が勝負を楽しんでいるというのなら、...
0
votes
1answer
102 views
What does “頃のこと” do in this sentence?
The full sentence, from Anki core 2k/6k:
かつて私が学生だった頃のことです。
"That was when I was still a student."
I'm understanding "かつて私が学生だった" to mean "I was once a student," so I'm ...
3
votes
1answer
133 views
About the usage of 借りる
I just learned (embarrassingly recently) that people say トイレお借り出来ますか. I suppose that means that in this case it is used instead of 使う. Are there other cases of using 借りる in this sense? Say, if I ...
6
votes
1answer
678 views
Book error: パパは銀行に出かけていていないよ
There is this phrase
パパは銀行に出かけていていないよ
And the given translation is
Your dad has gone to the bank.
But here I think it is a negation instead. Which is correct?
1
vote
1answer
85 views
重要ないくつか what is this word ending?
重要ないくつか
I came across this and was wondering what it meant. One can parse it this way:
重要ない ___くつか
Or
重要な ___ いくつか
Which does makes more sense? And can you give example sentences?
1
vote
2answers
90 views
What exactly does the song title 「恋するカレン」 mean?
「恋するカレン」is a song by 大滝詠一 from his 1981 album A Long Vacation. Lyrics for reference.
The part I am confused about is, who exactly is the actor i.e., person doing 恋する and who is it directed towards?
...
9
votes
1answer
297 views
What does 「生き残る目」 mean in this sentence?
I came across this sentence while reading 下町ロケット.
「ウチで密かに調べてみましたが、佃製作所はいま、資金調達すらままならない苦境にあるそうです。どう転んだところで、佃製作所に生き残る目はありませんよ。それにですねーーー」
The most obvious interpretation for me was,
We searched from ...
0
votes
1answer
144 views
I need help with the translations of the word Seido 精度
I am planning to start a small business in the art industry in the UK. I was brainstorming ideas for business names some time ago and I started typing in translations of English words I found relevant ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
How should I understand 何回目か in this sentence?
One assignment for my Japanese class is this Japanese elementary reader, which contains the story of Kenta and his dog, Koro. They are playing catch with a ball, and the previous sentence I translated ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
How is いただけ or いただけに working here? [duplicate]
I came across these two paragraphs about the future resignation of Prime Minister Abe:
Various ministers were being asked their opinions and I came across いただけに:
1st paragraph:
梶山経済産業大臣は、...
3
votes
1answer
112 views
What is the meaning of キリ in this paragraph?
Reading in NHk I came across this paragraph, and I cannot make out the meaning of キリ：
さらに堀埜社長は、7月、異例の値上げに踏み切りました。といってもほとんどは1円から数円の値上げ、中には値下げした商品もあります。看板メニューの「ミラノ風ドリア」は299円から、300円に。
値上げのねらいは、「釣り銭を減らす」...
