Learning Japanese

[Mystique]

I was wondering what the (oh so subtle) differences were between 言い回し and this one:
語句 【ごく】 (n) words, phrases, (P)

It feels like a difference between written phrases

[nikorai]

Originally Posted by richvh

I'd suggest 言い回し.

Me too, I think that would fit perfectly.
Apart from that, the word for 'expression' would be 表現.
As in ' a useful expression'= 便利な表現, IMO, sounds ok.

Now, i've checked the dictionary, it say that you can simply use the word 'フレーズ' (very advanced japanese .

[ZephyrLeanne]

Not related, but apparently, you can "speak fluent Japanese without saying a word"!

Link is here for video

[Vexx]

well, that's related to the gag that if you can grunt emotively you've just mastered 25% of Japanese male speech (that's according to my wife who is japanese -american).

He made me grimace, she was hilarious

[Theowne]

Could I please get a translation of the very last image on this page?

http://www.outpostnine.com/editorials/picture2.html

Thank you in advance

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by Theowne

Could I please get a translation of the very last image on this page?

http://www.outpostnine.com/editorials/picture2.html

Thank you in advance

there is another thread for translation requests, just so you know in the future.

Off the top of my head
1: He's an english teacher (first half of that sentence, i need a tc)
2: None (I dunno which category that is, so skimming the other pics to get an idea, tho it looks like 'sport'.)
3: Utada Hikaru (fav singer, probably)
4: Bowling and baseball (interests, maybe)

[Theowne]

Ah, sorry. I've used that thread before, but I got it mixed up this time, it seems. Anyways, thanks.

[VaatiChan]

I really wanted to speak japenese *sigh* but this is helping!

[VaatiChan]

どんなI'か誰でもを知っているする; mの格言か。 推測しなさいこの5つの事を… - -誰でも そっくり -幸運 -星 -か。 -!

[Mystique]

1:
You can edit your post if you want to add things. Shouldn't really double post on a forum.
2: you need to state what you want us to do with your japanese, or if you have a grammar/vocab/lexicon question, then you can ask us here.

Otherwise, people will skew you for communicating in non-english, if it has no relevance to the topic.

[RandomGuy]

Originally Posted by VaatiChan

どんなI'か誰でもを知っているする; mの格言か。 推測しなさいこの5つの事を… - -誰でも そっくり -幸運 -星 -か。 -!

何を言いたいのかよく分からないけど、何か日本語についての質問があれば、英語で聞いてもいいよ。…って言 うより、絶対に英語で聞いてくれ。
(Not sure what you mean to say, but if you have a question about Japanese, you can ask in English. ...Or rather, definitely ask in English.)

Also, I need to find more hours in the day for studying. My JLPT 1-kyuu voucher just came the other day, and I've got 2 and a half weeks left. People tell me I'll do fine, but I do not feel ready for this thing.

[DarkHonour]

Originally Posted by RandomGuy

何を言いたいのかよく分からないけど、何か日本語についての質問があれば、英語で聞いてもいいよ。…って言 うより、絶対に英語で聞いてくれ。
(Not sure what you mean to say, but if you have a question about Japanese, you can ask in English. ...Or rather, definitely ask in English.)

Also, I need to find more hours in the day for studying. My JLPT 1-kyuu voucher just came the other day, and I've got 2 and a half weeks left. People tell me I'll do fine, but I do not feel ready for this thing.

All the best I guess. I'm taking 2-kyuu this year but I don't feel prepared too.

一緒に合格を！

[Ja-Y-Ce]

Originally Posted by DarkHonour

All the best I guess. I'm taking 2-kyuu this year but I don't feel prepared too.

一緒に合格を！

Sigh, you guys do feel that you aren't prepared. As for me, I am not even prepared at all.. Haven't really started it yet and it's less than 3 weeks to go.

But yup!

一緒に合格を！一所懸命!!

[Theowne]

What is the actual usage of "Watakushi"?

The internet gives me conflicting reports. One says that it is preferred by men in formal situations over "Watashi", while others say that it is extremely-ultra-polite and never, even in formal situations like speeches. Which one is it? I haven't heard it used that much, but I recall a character in an anime using it to introduce herself to her tenants (she was a manager) during the first meeting. I've always gotten the impression that "Watashi" had feminine connotations, but maybe that's just because I haven't witnessed the kinds of situations in which men use "watashi" commonly. Boku doesn't seem to fit in a formal situation (like a speech/presentation). Any ideas?

[aohige]

Originally Posted by Theowne

What is the actual usage of "Watakushi"?

The internet gives me conflicting reports. One says that it is preferred by men in formal situations over "Watashi", while others say that it is ultra-polite and rarely used, even in formal situations like speeches. Which one is it? I haven't heard it used that much, but I recall a character in an anime using it to introduce herself to her tenants (she was a manager) during the first meeting. I've always gotten the impression that "Watashi" had feminine connotations, but "Boku" doesn't seem to fit in a formal situation (like a speech/presentation). Any ideas?

No, Watashi only has feminine connotations among adolescence.
Not only is it normal for adult male to use "watashi", it's actually required in formal places.
If you don't call yourself watashi in a formal place, you're either extremely rude, outcast, or just plain weird.

For example, if a politician or a businessman used anything other than "Watashi" in a formal place (conference, public appearances, etc etc), he/she would be considered uncivilized.

"Watakushi" is more exaggeratedly formal, and not commonly used.
These days it's mostly used to express just that... exaggerated formalness.

[Theowne]

Ah, I see. Thanks.

[Vexx]

Aye, my very first Japanese teacher was a retired candy manufacturer from Yokohama. In his day, "watakushi" was used in all formal and business situations but he admitted that today's business culture had become "fairly casual" such that "watashi" was okay in most situations. He suspects if you're in the very inner circles of powerful family conglomerates that you'll still see "watakushi" and "-sama" still used.

[ganbaru]

But for atashi, am I wrong or it supose to be used only from woman?
Do the use is suppose to imply some kind of subtility ?

[Rembr]

Atashi strongly implies a feminine tone.

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by Rembr

Atashi strongly implies a feminine tone.

mhm, the 'a' is softer than a 'wa', so perhaps commonly used by middle aged women of a gentle, fragile nature. (the generation older than us)
(Well that's the feeling i get from it)
Although as of recently, i'm hearing 'uchi' a hell of a lot, that's beginning to feel neutral in terms of gender.
If a man's using watashi and atashi a lot in casual situations, chances are (least in japan) that he's gay or pretending to be so.
It's either amusing or very weird japanese lang wise.
Kinda like in an extreme western sense, a guy going 'you go girl! Moccha was just soooo yesterday!'