Questions tagged [words]
言葉. 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.
2,911
questions
1
vote
2
answers
258
views
Does kanji have meaning on their own, or they inherit their meaning(s) from the words they used in?
As the title says. I stumbled on the Reddit post today and became curious if that's true? Here's a quote from that post:
Kanji don't actually have a meaning on their own, they get meaning
from the ...
- 36.8k
2
votes
1
answer
114
views
What is the exact nuance of ガラ in ガラじゃない
こう見えて魔術師なんだよ! ガラじゃないのは解ってるけど!
いや 魔術は見た目ではなく天性の物だから。。。
Upon failing another sword fight, the character says this and another character adds the second line in answer.
My reading of the first line is ...
- 306k
0
votes
1
answer
107
views
Meaning and usage of 刺激（しげき）?
I've come across this word 刺激 a few times now, but although the dictionary says it means "stimulation" none of the contexts I've seen it in makes sense with that definition.
For example
「...
- 191
1
vote
1
answer
79
views
What does the 「いるん」in だれか好きな人がいるんですか。
Everything else in this sentence I understand except 「いるん」. Can someone tell me it's meaning/purpose? Why can't I just say だれか好きな人ですか。?
My textbook translates the sentence as: "Is there someone ...
- 8,843
2
votes
0
answers
112
views
N1 Goi practice question. Synonym of 凌ぐ [closed]
Solving some N1-Goi questions I run up to this one.
暑さを「凌ぐ」ために、多くの人が都会を離れて山や海で過ごしている。
つのる
ふせぐ
いのる
ふさぐ
I was pretty sure it was the second one 2) ふせぐ" but the solutions provided say its 1)つのる. ...
- 726
0
votes
0
answers
107
views
Creating a Unique Japanese Name: Seeking Guidance on "てるかわ" for "Terukawa" [closed]
I have a question and I kindly ask for your patience, as my knowledge of Japanese is basic. I've been trying to create a Japanese name, and I came across the word "両側" (ryōgawa), which means ...
-1
votes
0
answers
37
views
Using AI to learn Japanese [migrated]
I've been using ChatGPT to learn Japanese specifically in getting vocab. My prompt is:
Always answer in this format for Japanese Word
Kanji(furigana)
JLPT level:
Commonness:
Formality:
Usually ...
- 65.3k
2
votes
2
answers
262
views
Trying to understand ツッコミ and 突っ込まない and similiar
The character is walking around Tokyo with her boyfriend from the country. The boyfriend notices she's tired and tells her this:
少し 休んでいくか? 丁度いい所に休憩可能なホテルがある
"Should we rest a bit? Just at the ...
- 1,496
3
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Is there a difference between these words for “hero”?
I've learned that hero could be translated as:
ヒーロー
えいゆう
ゆうしゃ
けっし
Aside from ヒーロー (which seems just to be roumaji version of hero), is there any usage difference among them?
- 11.2k
3
votes
1
answer
114
views
「大きい方」と「一番大きい」と「最大」の違いはなんですか？
These are 3 words I've learned from experience rather than a textbook, and although I hear them in different contexts as far as I can tell they all mean the same thing. Could someone clarify what the ...
- 32.6k
1
vote
1
answer
52
views
Pitch accent for 金 (かね)
I can't find any sources to find the pitch accent of 金 (かね). Sorry for the basic question, but if anyone could tell me + where I can figure out the pitch accent of words (Other than OJAD) I would ...
- 32.6k
5
votes
2
answers
776
views
Why is the same English meaning of ため tied to different Japanese meanings in different dictionaries?
Jisho gives "consequence; result; effect" with an example sentence
それは、おまえの声をよく聞くためだよ。(It is in order to hear your voice well.)
Tangorin gives "consequence; result; effect" ...
- 6,541
7
votes
2
answers
730
views
パソコンが 得意だ/わかる/上手だ
So I was studying 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:
私は、パソコンが(得意だ.わかる.上手だ.)
...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
150
views
What does わせ in this sentence mean?
なぜ死なしてしもたか、人生を狂るわせたのか
Does this sentence contain typo? I guess 狂るわせ should be 狂わせ.
What do you guys think?
- 65.3k
1
vote
2
answers
146
views
How do we say "literary register"?
I know "register" is said 使用域, or レジストル, or レジスター, and that for instance "informal register" is said くだけた レジストル (https://ameblo.jp/atelier-elsur/entry-12142554743.html).
How do we ...
- 4,568
2
votes
1
answer
325
views
"kiru" used to refer to a card?
In Bungou Stray Dogs S2E07, the enemy pulled off something really abhorrent, and in response, Dazai says "敵｛てき｝がその気｛き｝なら、こちらも鬼札｛おにふだ｝を切｛き｝ろう". I can understand that onifuda is like "...
- 306k
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
Does 前の方 have the same nuance of 前方
すごい行列だ
でも、運良く前の方に並べたし
"What a big line. But luckily, I was standing..."
Does it mean the front part? Or does it mean he was standing there fro before?
- 306k
1
vote
1
answer
159
views
What does the word 「でやんして」 mean?
I also would like to know if it relates to any dialect.
A: またそんなことでこそこそやってるのか。
B: なんせ 我々にとっては重大{じゅうだい}問題{もんだい}でやんして...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
41
views
I do not understand what 腰折れ懸念 means
I am a student of Japanese language, and while translating from an economic review text, I encountered this term 腰折れ懸念, which I tried looking up on the internet, but unfortunately with no results, if ...
- 306k
1
vote
1
answer
37
views
what does 抱えこんどります mean in this sentence?
すべてを自分で抱えこんどりました。誰かに助けてもらおうと考える余裕さえなかったんです
is 抱えこんどりました a rare form of 抱え込む?
- 306k
2
votes
1
answer
292
views
Is there a colloquial equivalent for 提出する?
Is there a colloquial equivalent for 提出する?
For instance in a situation where an employee needs to transmit/give a file to the administration, or a student needs to transmit/give a homework to the ...
- 32.6k
11
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Does 今度 mean "this time" or "next time"?
My dictionary gives many meanings for 今度, they include "this time" as well as "next time". How can it mean both? Since it is 今 in it, shouldn't it only mean "this time"?
Also, I am confused between 今回 ...
- 41
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
Is "atashita" short for "atashitachi"? [closed]
In an anime episode, I heard a sentence I didn't quite understand. I don't have the japanese subtitles to be sure, but what I heard is:
勝負{しょうぶ}してんだろう、あたした！
The meaning I understand is something ...
- 11.2k
1
vote
1
answer
55
views
What's the difference between 其処ら, 至る所, and そこら中?
Trying to figure out how to say the word "everywhere" in Japanese, and I want to make sure I'm using the correct one. Usually there's some difference due to context or formality. Context of ...
- 32.6k
1
vote
1
answer
116
views
Does 罪 in 罪を受ける literally mean "crimes"?
Even in English, I can almost imagine someone saying
I have received my crimes.
to be a short-hand way of saying
What goes around comes around, and I have received the consequences for my criminal ...
- 36.8k
1
vote
1
answer
85
views
Words for closing
In English, we use the word "close" liberally and loosely. But Japanese requires more specificity. Besides the difference between 閉じる and 閉める that confuses native English speakers, there are ...
- 306k
0
votes
1
answer
67
views
添{そ}い遂{と}げる (soitogeru) = "to be with" or "to remain married to for life"?
Relative spoilers for Mushoku Tensei S2E11 (Jobless Reincarnation). A childhood friend girl meets with MC-kun years later, but doesn't reveal who she is. MC-kun falls for the girl, but is hesitant (...
- 306k
1
vote
1
answer
46
views
Can't understand そんな労カかけないでもらいたいなっていうね
In this video clip (https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxY2iqi7hqFjIGJ0iJnKH18P5fzS8ugw0z?si=HQvGDGUYUckQ_EDi), I cannot break down (what words are composing the sentence) what the man says.
そんなあんまなんかこう、...
- 306k
0
votes
1
answer
170
views
やつらも生き物だ、死して横たわる権利はあろう
The main character in this game enters a pact with a dragon which allows them to communicate with each other and the MC to take control of the dragon. The MC is depicted as bloodthirsty simply out for ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How can I express the idea of "lurking" in a server?
When you join, e.g., a Discord server, but end up not actively participating in the discussions taking place and instead just reading them, you are said to be a "lurker", or to be "...
- 141
3
votes
1
answer
83
views
方 as a noun with a relative clause. What does it mean? [duplicate]
Today I encountered this sentence:
その都市の治安はいい[方]{ほう}です。
The general meaning is simple: "The city is safe".
However, what does [方]{ほう} mean in this sentence? Is there an implicit comparison?...
- 65.3k
4
votes
2
answers
980
views
涙活 = "monetizing the tears"?
In Kanojo Okarishimasu (aka Rent-a-Girlfriend) S3E03, a hyperactive zoomer girl (who's also a youtuber) named Yaemori hears MC's situation, and starts crying. Afterwords, she says "泣いた記念に写真撮るっス&...
- 306k
1
vote
1
answer
300
views
What does the word あるほうで mean? 「かわいげがあるほうで」
It is bold in the below sentence.
まあ そんなのはまだまだかわいげがあるほうでよ
- 65.3k
1
vote
1
answer
95
views
Meaning and pronunciation of 通目
Recently I've been reading 永田カビ's 一人交換日記, and have come upon the word 通目 there, used in every "chapter" heading. Judging from context, I think this word would mean something like "entry&...
- 6,541
1
vote
1
answer
81
views
What does 決め決め mean?
個人的にこういうカチッ！っと決め決めの男性がタイプです
It's a woman commenting a picture of a young man.
I think 決め決めの means something like "determined", "resolved". It doesn't seem to be a real word ...
- 306k
1
vote
0
answers
38
views
Understanding あるところ when used in a past-tense sentence [duplicate]
In
昔あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住んでいました
Why isn't ある in the past tense (since we're talking a place that existed in the past)? Would the sentence still be grammatical if it was?
- 306k
18
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is Saturday considered a weekday or weekend, or something else?
I'm confused about this sign. It states working hours. The first part is easy: weekdays is 9:30 to 20:00. The second part is strange. Instead of saying 週末・祭日 (weekends and holidays), it says "...
- 141
0
votes
1
answer
74
views
Usage/connotation of "いろ" meaning someone's "girl/lover"
In Rurouni Kenshin, a woman is running away from Kanryuu's men. A guy asks her "are you Kanryuu's girl?" (anta wa Kanryuu no iro ka?)
Anyways, my question is the usage of "iro" to ...
- 32.6k
1
vote
1
answer
78
views
Can someone tell me the difference between 別々に and 別々 and 別 and 別に and 別々の
I am asking for the difference between 別々に and 別々 and 別 and 別に and 別々の.
They are all very similiar having something to do with separate/ly.
Thanks.
- 306k
4
votes
1
answer
72
views
When to use which: 割 vs 分 as 10%
I was wondering how to know if I have to use 割 or 分 when I want to say 10%. In this post: (When is 分 read ぶ instead of ぶん)
The guy who answered said that 分 can be used either:
when talking about ...
- 50.7k
1
vote
1
answer
166
views
What is the meaning of 当たる here exactly?
In the vn rewrite, the protag こたろう is trying to salvage the relationship of two heroines ルチア and ちはや, together with 2 other heroines, 静流 and 小鳥. The protag thinks the following:
今回の作戦を立案したのは俺だ。とにかく、...
CommunityBot
- 1
5
votes
1
answer
153
views
Holiday vocabulary
There are a number of words for holiday, vacation, etc. I'd like to clarify their various uses:
祭日 National holiday. There is also 祝日 but I'm under the impression for, say, America's July 4, ...
- 306k
2
votes
1
answer
89
views
Different words for "idiom"
When looking on dictionaries E-J for the word "idiom" in Japanese, the following results appear: 熟語、慣用句、成句、故事成語、ことわざ and 言い習わし.
While I think ことわざ is more like a "proverb", what ...
- 50.7k
2
votes
1
answer
58
views
Can't understand 'その辺うまくこう利用できるような
In this video clip: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxvmz1x_zYQepLxH7I0uV_CPevy6VgL6ya ,
the man says:
その辺うまくこう利用できるような
I guess こう利用できるような means 'like this, to make it usable'. But what is その辺? Is it '...
- 306k
3
votes
1
answer
70
views
how to understand "もう何も考られずグーって感じですか"
This is from 'Easy Japanese 3' in youtube : https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxQ93BT5GcE9RAKrXDdjdD96-cXgF4h76r
もう何も考えられずグーって感じですか
I can't break down near ずグーって. ず means not (attached to kangaerare)? What ...
- 306k
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to express this kind of "no"?
I believe in English you can say "no" when something unfortunate is about to happen or has already started — suppose somebody has just bumped into a table with an antique vase and now you ...
- 6,688
2
votes
1
answer
172
views
How would you say "young love" in Japanese? Would it be "若い愛" or "青春愛"?
I know that the first is using young as an adjective for the word love while the second is referring to love between young people but I wanted to know which one is correct. Like if an older person saw ...
- 306k
1
vote
1
answer
222
views
Which one is correct between 侘び寂び and 侘寂
I know that generally you use the hiragana "わびさび", and in the entry for "侘寂" in the chinese wikipedia "侘び寂び" is listed as the original japanese, but I still have my ...
- 36.8k
2
votes
1
answer
513
views
maru = "for real" (or something of the sort)?
In Trails into Reverie, Nadia is an insanely cute girl who talks in a super slangy (gyaru-ish?) fashion. She's obviously in love with her big-brother figure Swin (whom she calls "su-chan"). ...
- 32.6k
1
vote
1
answer
351
views
What is being said here that means "it's frowned upon if you're a smoker [in the US]"
In Shinya Shokudou, S3EP08, a Japanese lady who currently works in New York (but is back home in Japan for a bit) asks the owner of a Shokudou for a cigarette as he's smoking. The owner says "...
- 32.6k