most recent 30 from http://onjapanese.com 2010-03-11T10:45:39Z http://onjapanese.com/feeds http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://onjapanese.com/questions/201/does-it-mean-he-she Hoolan 2009-12-30T16:41:33Z 2010-03-11T04:27:43Z

<p>I've ran into あいつ a few times in sentences and it seems to mean he/she. Is this correct?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/314/the-4-pillars-of-japanese-society Koiyuki 2010-03-11T03:53:19Z 2010-03-11T03:53:19Z

<p>In my studies of Japanese, one of the least taught things outside of slang and different subgroups are the principles of Japanese society that regulate each and every one of their actions. In particular, the ones that interest me most are 恩(knowledge of, and repayment of any debts, both financial and emotional, like when someone saves you from a fall, or something similar), 義務(When a debt is perceived as so great, only loyalty given to the one who performed the act for them will suffice), 義理(the principle of balancing personal choices with moral obligations, to both companies and loved ones alike) and 人情 (the recognition that underneath it all, we're all human beings and should be regarded as such). </p> <p>I haven't been able to find a lot of literature either online or off discussing it, so would someone be willing to elaborate on what these principles are and how they factor into speaking Japanese with a Japanese person?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/306/dicsiplining-your-child Jay 2010-03-09T19:54:40Z 2010-03-11T00:39:53Z

<p>How do I tell me son to apologize in Japanese? For instance instead of just saying, "Dame" for "No", how do I say "That's too loud" or "That isn't good" or "Apologize please".</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/36/usage-of-in-this-sentence papajohn 2009-11-18T02:13:30Z 2010-03-10T16:26:43Z

<p>The sentence is:</p> <p>眩しいばかりに美しい女</p> <p>The meaning is easy enough to understand, but I'm not clear on how the ばかり can be used in other contexts. Does ばかり here mean "as if" -- i.e., "so beautiful its as if she was dazzlingly bright"? Can someone give some other examples of ばかり being used like this? TIA!</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/308/whats-an-easier-way-to-learn-the-katakana Josh Williams 2010-03-10T01:32:32Z 2010-03-10T16:26:06Z

<p>this is getting tough. i am having a hard time learning. i need to have this down by september when i start the Japanese class.</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/305/please-spell-house-river-from-heaven-in-english-and-japanese kris anderton 2010-03-09T19:12:39Z 2010-03-09T20:40:59Z

<p>Please spell river from heaven in english letters and japanese characters.</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/148/how-to-say-im-so-tired-of Erica 2009-12-11T01:27:10Z 2010-03-09T20:26:56Z

<p>How would you say the popular expression of "I'm so tired of.." for instance:</p> <p>I'm so tired of school I'm so tired of your lies I'm so tired of waiting</p> <p>etc? </p> <p>つかれた seems kind of incorrect...</p> <p>Thanks!</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/263/learning-different-styles-of-japanese Koiyuki 2010-02-09T02:34:47Z 2010-03-09T19:27:41Z

<p>One overriding theme I've noticed in learning Japanese and consuming the media of the country is how vastly different the vocabulary and way someone speaks is between people affecting different levels of politeness in different contexts. My main question is what should the base level of vocabulary a student should get down before moving on to the others, or does that rely on the intent of the student? </p> <p>The less important questions I have revolves around the use of Japanese in fighting games. Aside from learning the regular vocab, what specific terms should I know if I want to better understand it(example:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trwyy_RnFfM&amp;feature=related" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trwyy_RnFfM&amp;feature=related</a>)? One term I seem sounds something like 'seki ari' and translates to opening, but nothing I've pored over states that meaning with those words. What would the term for an opening be, in terms of facing someone in combat?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/261/two-words-for-tomorrow-and Scott McKeown 2010-02-09T00:40:39Z 2010-03-09T14:28:51Z

<p>what is the difference between あす and あした ? they both mean tomorrow and they are both look exactly the same as kanji 明日</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/262/you-let-me-do-it-and-i-am-gratful Scott McKeown 2010-02-09T00:52:12Z 2010-03-09T14:28:51Z

<p>In my Business Japanese class I was told that そうさせていただきます means something like "you will let me do it, and I am grateful". Additionally I was told that it can be used to confirm that someone has given you permission to do something. Can anyone give me a more literal translation of this phrase and or break it down more so I can understand the grammar behind it?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/297/functions-of-indicating-alternatives The Momohime 2010-03-04T21:51:05Z 2010-03-08T19:48:06Z

<p>Another grammatical use question, this time involving むしろ, and its many grammatical forms. In the text we were given to study this, we were given the following meanings and examples:</p> <hr> <p>意味： むしろ indicates the speaker’s/writer’s choice, one alternative over another. </p> <p>続け方：例のように使われる。 </p> <p>例： 『．．．』for emphasis (since I don't know the command for underline here...)</p> <ol> <li>景気はよくなる『どころか、むしろ』悪くなってきている。 </li> <li>あなたをいじめようと思っているわけではない『。むしろ』助けようと思っている のだ。 </li> <li>その問題については教師『より（も）むしろ』学生の方がよく知っている。 </li> <li>あの人と結婚する『ぐらいなら、むしろ』死んだ方がいい。 </li> <li>彼女は美しい『というよりむしろ』かわいいという感じだ。 </li> </ol> <hr> <p>So, for my questions:</p> <ol> <li>The first example's meaning is slightly unclear to me... is it saying "The condition isn't getting better at all- rather, it's become worse."? </li> <li>Is the meaning "I wasn't trying to tease you. Actually, I was trying to help you."? (not quite sure of the use of 思っている except to soften the statement...)</li> <li>I think this one is pretty clear: "On this problem, surprisingly, it's the student who knows more than the teacher." ....Since this grammar point is common sense VS reality.</li> <li>This one's pretty useful! And I don't really have a question for it. "I'd rather die than marry that person!"</li> <li>This one was explained to me by a 友達... pretty much comparing alternatives of two items that have overlap. So... the 彼女 is both cute and beautiful, but definitely MORE cute than anything else.</li> </ol> <p>Thanks guys! I know I've been spamming with grammar questions recently ;-)</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/71/what-are-the-top-blogs-related-to-japanese-langauge-learning RealWay Media 2009-11-22T21:29:12Z 2010-03-08T01:29:15Z

<p>I'm looking to make a list of the top Japanese language learning related blogs. What are your favorites?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/299/the-rules-for-kanji-compounds Koiyuki 2010-03-05T03:30:05Z 2010-03-07T16:58:08Z

<p>To establish a baseline for what I'm lookin' for, this is what I know so far about the rules for compounds:</p> <p>There are 2 basic types (訓読み+訓読み&amp;音読み+音読み) and 2 advanced types (重箱読み[訓読み+音読み]&amp;湯桶読み[音読み+ 訓読み])</p> <p>By itself it has a 訓読み reading and in compounds read with 音読み, and that exceptions to this exist.</p> <p>That there are also readings specifically for names (名乗り) as well as ways to use it to render foreign words (あてじ, IE 寿司 or 基督)</p> <p>What I don't know is what the rules are for putting them together. When should a pause be applied between the reading of two Kanji together, as in the word 学校? When does the pronunciation of the initial syllable change when another word is in front of it. ie 日焼け止め and 鎧(よろい)通(どお)し, one of Ibuki's supers from Street Fighter 3rd Strike and Super Street Fighter IV? I know that learning the language and being confronted with new words on the spot, I'll need to be able to have these rules down by heart and not have to refer to a dictionary every time I need to know how to say a new word</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/274/just-a-bit-confused Erica 2010-02-19T13:18:46Z 2010-03-06T06:30:21Z

<p>Hello again everyone...really, as much as I come here I should just go and make an account haha. </p> <p>So I recently came across these sentences in a message from my Japanese friend: 本当はあまり恥ずかしくならない オレは恥ずかしいがあまりない </p> <p>I know what what あまり＋ない=negative is, but I've never seen it together like the second one this. It's also confusing because he was talking about the past...</p> <p>So I guess the first one means something like </p> <p>I really don't become very nervous</p> <p>but I can't really figure out the second one because of the structure....can someone please explain? Thanks in advance &lt;3</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/271/the-different-ways-to-use-ii Koiyuki 2010-02-17T02:19:55Z 2010-03-06T03:27:00Z

<p>I was doing a bit of home study when I found a few things on 'Ii' and a lot of different ways to use it, like with different conditional forms, after a verb stem, and so many others. What I'd like to know, is just kind of uses does Ii have with different grammatical forms?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/95/what-does-mean Xerith 2009-11-30T13:29:06Z 2010-03-06T00:27:00Z

<p>What does "とんでもない" mean?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/178/what-is-the-meaning-of abdullah 2009-12-17T03:42:54Z 2010-03-06T00:27:00Z

<p>はいんないよ</p> <p>Thank you.</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/300/how-do-i-use Will 2010-03-05T05:28:33Z 2010-03-05T06:33:16Z

<p>Can someone give me an explanation and/or example sentences for using the word 対？</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/215/a-little-help-with-understanding-these-words abdullah 2010-01-06T00:43:35Z 2010-03-05T01:27:22Z

<p>どういう こういう そういう</p> <p>When learning/encountering new words I usually use the Rikaichan application for FireFox to see how it is defined in English, and then I refer to Space ALC (a great website) to see how the word is used in sentences. But for some reason these words are leaving me stumped and they are used quite frequently (at least from what I have seen...watching Japanese television programs online). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/293/difference-between-and The Momohime 2010-03-03T21:53:02Z 2010-03-04T23:37:48Z

<p>Hi guys, it's exam time again! (yayyyyy). What's the difference between these two when using them as a "Clause 1 に対する／対して Clause 2" stucture? The definitions I got off Jisho are as follows:</p> <p>対して- for; in regard to; per </p> <p>対する- 1: to face (each other); to be facing; 2: to be directed toward (the future, etc.); to be in response to; to be related to; 3: to receive (a client, etc.); 4: to compare with; to contrast with; to be in opposition with; to be opposed to; 5: to confront; to oppose; to compete with</p> <p>When using these in a sentence, is the difference based on the structure of Clause 2? (ie, whether it is a noun or verb, or a full sentence, etc..) Any help appreciated, thanks!</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/75/are-these-statements-correct genjimilo 2009-11-25T05:34:43Z 2010-03-04T23:32:02Z

<p>I am not a total beginner in japanese in away I am advanced for a 14 yr old. I want to say I am going surfing in hawaii=watashi wa naminori ni hawaii ikimasu. Is this right? We are going surfing=watashitachi wa naminori ni ikimasu. Is this right? I am from Honolulu hawaii=watashi wa honolulu hawaii kara kimashita. Is this right</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/295/how-to-say-this-amazing Erica 2010-03-04T04:07:30Z 2010-03-04T22:13:04Z

<p>Hello everyone!</p> <p>I was talking about one of my favorite Japanese singers and I was trying to figure out how to say " How is he this amazing? or Why is he so great?" And then I wondered, is there an equivalent phrase? </p> <p>I was wondering, would any of these work? I've always been confused about the use of ほど。 なんでこのぐらいすごい。 なんですごいほど</p> <p>What's the most natural way to say something like this? Thank you, as usual :)</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/192/weather-question-or Will 2009-12-24T01:38:54Z 2010-03-04T15:32:22Z

<p>Are these two phrases different or exactly the same?</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/291/the-different-way-to-mark-a-verb Koiyuki 2010-03-03T01:59:36Z 2010-03-03T21:50:24Z

<p>Alright, so the basics of it are を is proceeded by transitive verb and が intransitive, and that in casual usage either one can be dropped. But what about when が is replaced by の, like in these sentence:</p> <p>癖のある文章。</p> <p>悪意のない嘘。</p> <p>What grammatical function does that serve?</p> <p>Less important question: Does anyone know what the character is these videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSMyxTOd11E)(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q3BoWwKdm8) is saying in Japanese?(for vocab expansion purposes)</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/235/japanese-slang Erica 2010-01-16T08:29:16Z 2010-03-03T10:33:31Z

<p>Hey everyone,</p> <p>I was wondering what the つーの in the phrase "ありえないつーの" means. When do you use つーの? What other words or phrases commonly end this way? Thanks!</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/233/particle-confuses-me jeremy 2010-01-16T04:46:49Z 2010-03-02T15:32:15Z

<p>「彼のしつこさには閉口する」</p> <p>「庭のぶよには閉口する」</p> <p>Is there a special reason why　 には　is used in these sentences instead of 　は？ Thanks for your time, the には　particle has always confused me a little.</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/187/why-is-considered-vulgar jeremy 2009-12-21T04:48:27Z 2010-03-02T13:40:19Z

<p>Why is [食う」　considered vulgar by my dictionary? Is there ever a good time to use this word, because i think it sounds cooler than 「食べる」 ありがとうございます。</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/210/how-do-you-say-i-would-like-to Jacki 2010-01-03T04:37:27Z 2010-03-01T21:41:15Z

<p>I know that in French (I'm not French, so please don't reply in it! ^^; ), there's a conditional form and was wondering what the equivalent is in Japanese for this. ie. Je voudrais = I would like, il étudierait = he would study, etc. </p> <p>I specifically would like to know how to say "I would like to___" as I use that a lot in conversations. I know that adding 「たい」 to the root of a verb makes it like/want to ie. 見たい = want to see, 食べたい = want to eat, but I don't know how to do the rest.</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/140/how-to-say-would-have-been-in-japanese Erica 2009-12-06T14:37:24Z 2010-03-01T15:49:12Z

<p>I am writing to a friend. I was talking about how I wanted to find a hairstylist when I was in Japan, but couldn't, and now I found out about him which is too bad because now I'm in America. So I want to say </p> <p>"It's too bad I didn't find out about you earlier! You would have been perfect"</p> <p>I don't know how to say "would have been perfect". Is there a grammar pattern for this? All I can think of it just use the present form of 完璧／かんぺき。。。but then it sounds like "you are perfect"...I just have a feeling there's a grammar pattern I don't know about for this one...</p> <p>thanks :)</p>

http://onjapanese.com/questions/287/no-clue Erica 2010-02-27T18:33:47Z 2010-02-28T21:31:13Z

<p>I finally made an account...yay! haha...anyhow...</p> <p>I'm trying to translate a song and there's this part:</p> <p>無邪気にはしゃぐ姿</p> <p>I really don't know what it supposed to say. Is it like</p> <p>Innocently frolicking/?</p> <p>The context is:</p> <p>今年も春がきて</p> <p>この桜の木の下で</p> <p>君の事を思い出す</p> <p>無邪気にはしゃぐ姿</p> <p>So I would like to say something like:</p> <p>Spring is coming this year too</p> <p>Under the cherry blossom tree</p> <p>I remember you</p> <p>?????????</p> <p>I don't know who's even "innocently frolicking"...is it like, the singer is remembering the girl and the way she "innocently frolicks" or is he remembering her in an innocent and happy way? I'm pretty confused...it's a little awkward. </p>