日本語 Japanese Ask Questions Thread 3

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Japanese Ask Questions Thread2
http://dis.4chan.org/read/lang/1206158123/1-40

I have studied Japanese for a while, but barely encountered informal Japanese. The sentence:

猫は食べます。

for instance; how would I go about saying this informally? From what I understand, "-masu" form is fairly formal and not commonly used in informal speech.

>>159

Thanks again.

As for your question, I have slightly misrepresented the situation.  The person actually messaged me on my pixiv account.  So I got to thinking that maybe they wouldn't have messaged me if they knew I wasn't so good with Japanese as I have nothing that says otherwise (e.g. most of my postings are just the character names in Japanese, nothing in my profile).  So I thought that I would at least send a message back that I know they would understand as I don't know their level of English.  Maybe I am over thinking this but that was my reasoning.

If you are wondering why I posted pics to pixiv it is because I had the account already (to view the full images) and I just thought I'd share what I made.  It's awesome when other people enjoy what I spent hours on making.

Anyways, I never thought that I'd get messages from other users so I never bothered with my profile page.  I guess I'll have to change that.

>>160 You're right, -masu forms are not often used in informal speech.
So just drop it -> 猫は食べる。

How do I express negative potential? For example:

He can't read Japanese.

Is it:

彼は日本語が読めない

>>160 >>163
"猫は食べる" is not always informal.
"猫は食べるよ" is definitely informal.

>>164
It is not clear to me what "negative potential" means.
He is not capable of reading Japanese, or he may not be able to read Japanese?
If you mean the former, your translation is right.

>>165

Yeah, I meant he is incapable.

So I'm looking at some Kanji sheets for the first time, just trying to get a feel for how difficult they're going to be when I actually do attempt to memorize them.  Ichi lists a kunyomi of ひと*つ and another source has this, similarly: ひと・つ

What I'd like to know is why can't these be written like ひとつwithout that little spacer? Is there a difference in pronunciation or is it just one of those "that's just the way it is" scenarios?

>>167
separator shows where kanji ends and okurigana starts, so hitotsu will be written as 一つ

BTW it's kind of useful, because knowing where okurigana starts, you can tell ichidan verbs(kae*ru) from godan verbs(ka*eru).

There are some exception, but generally if you see okurigana "Xeru"/"Xiru" then it's ichidan. if Xe/xI mora is hidden inside of kanji, then it's godan.

>>168
Oh. damn. I messed up.

ka*eru is ichidan
kae*ru is godan

Open edict and search for verbs like kaeru. You'll see that v5 will not have E in okurigane, while v1 will.

more info here: http://fcd3.org/nihongo/iru-eru.html

>>169
>>168
I see. Awesome, man.  Thanks for all the info.

what is the best way to start out learning japanese/prepare for classes at college? like books or work books or websites that have a good course?

>>171
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar

On to my problem:

Guys, I really need help with causative, passive and causative-passive, in a specific context where the particle に is involved. To do that, I need you to simply translate these sentences for me, please:

1. I lend money to my friend.
2. My friend borrows money from me.
3. I was made to lend money to my friend.
4. My friend made me lend him money.
5. I was made to lend money to my friend, and I don't like it.
6. My friend made me borrow him money, and I don't like it.

This all just turns into a god damned clusterfuck inside my head. This is how I would guess at it, if I had to:

1. 俺は友達に金を貸す。
2. 友達は俺に金を借りる。
3. 俺は友達に金を貸させた(clusterfucked; can't tell if it's 貸す or 借りる)。
4. Same as 3 because how Japanese works, is my guess?
5. 俺は友達に金を貸させられた。

Any help on this would be deeply appreciated. I'll say it again: I only have a problem when the particle に is involved.

As a side-question: How often do you guys convert kana to kanji when typing? Every word? Every sentence? How to Japanese people do it? I've been typing along but I'm not really sure what the most effective method is.

>>172
Jesus christ, even the post is a clusterfuck. Here; let me try again.

1. I lend money to my friend.
2. My friend borrows money from me.
3. I let my friend borrow money.
4. My friend made me lend him money.
5. I was made to lend money to my friend, and I don't like it.
6. My friend made me borrow him money, and I don't like it.

1. 俺は友達に金を貸す。
2. 友達は俺に金を借りる。
3. 俺は友達に金を借りさせた。
4. 友達は俺に金を貸させた。
5. 俺は友達に金を借りさせられた。
6. 友達は俺に金を貸させられた。

Jesus christ this is hard.

>>173
I still don't think this is right. Those fucking verbs, man, they fuck up everything. Alright, I've thought of a new and easier way of doing this. All I need now is for someone knowledgeable (I mean it, I don't want somebody who has to use a dictionary to read what I just wrote to answer this) to answer me. I eagerly await your reply.

１．俺は友達に金を貸させる。
２．友達はおれに金を貸させる。
３．俺は友達に金を借りさせる。
４．友達は俺に金を借りさせる。
５．俺は友達に金を貸させられる。
６．友達は俺に金を貸させられる。
７．俺は友達に金を借りさせられる。
８．友達は俺に金を借りさせられる。

>>174
All I need now is for someone knowledgeable (I mean it, I don't want somebody who has to use a dictionary to read what I just wrote to answer this) to answer me.

I am Japanese.
I'm not sure if I am eligible to answer your question, but here is my translation.

1. I lend money to my friend.
　　　俺は友達に金を貸す。
　　　俺 → Lend → 友達

2. My friend borrows money from me.
　　　友達は俺に金を借りる。
　　　友達 ← Borrow ← 俺

3. I let my friend borrow money (from me/someone else).
　　　俺は友達に金を借りさせる／させた。
　　　俺 → Let → 友達（友達 ← Borrow ← 俺／Someone else）

4. My friend made me lend him money.
　　　友達は俺に金を貸させた。
　　　友達 → Made → 俺（俺 → Lend → 友達）

5. I was made to lend money to my friend (by him/someone else).
　　　俺は友達に金を貸させられた。
　　　（俺 → Lend → 友達）俺 ← Was made to ← 友達／Someone else

6. My friend made me borrow him money.
　　　友達は俺に金を借りさせた。
　　　友達 → Made → 俺（俺 ← Borrow ← 友達）

>>172
How often do you guys convert kana to kanji when typing? Every word? Every sentence? How to Japanese people do it?

It really depends on the person.
Some people type a whole sentence and then convert it to kanji in one go, but others convert every single or several word(s).
If you are using clever Japanese input software, it converts even a long sentence fairly correctly according to the context.
Even if the sentence is not correctly converted, you can select the right 文節(segment?) using the shift key + right/left allow keys.
Using the right/left keys without the shift key let you choose a 文節 next to the one currently selected.

This is just an aside; we tend to avoid expressions like 4, 5 and 6 in colloquial conversations.
Belows are more natural than "俺は友達に金を貸させられた".

（俺は）金を貸してくれと友達に頼まれて、しぶしぶ貸した。
（俺は）友達に強要されて100万円貸した。

>>176
>>175
Thank you very much. I think I got it.

Since everyone requests, and nobody really receives, I've taken the liberty of setting up a study group for everyone. To get into it, you must have Skype. And you must add me (my username is shatteredinsides). You will be added. We accept all newcomers and intermediate (hell, even expert) people learning Japanese. If you do not know Hiragana and Katakana, we shall link you to some references and great study guides. As learning the kana are essential, and should be your first step into this language.


Please join, and post your suggestions / critiques.


Thanks,

~Ryuuka

I'm doing Pimsleur's Japanese (+ Heisig for the writing), but I need something for crunching vocabulary and verbs. What is some good, and preferably amusing (no phonebooks please), material to do this?
If it's available in Spanish or not language dependent, all the better.

Could someone help me with the translation of this sign?

http://imgur.com/YLVHN.jpg

>>180
命は親から頂いた大切なもの
Life is something precious given from your parents.

もう一度静かに両親や兄弟、子供のことを考えてみましょう
Think calmly about your parents, siblings and children again.

一人で悩まずまず相談してください
Talk to us first without struggling alone.

I require assistance
What does the text in these images say?
http://img2.pict.com/97/85/fa/3845077/0/1280174603.jpg
http://img2.pict.com/70/2f/15/3845099/0/1280174795.jpg

>>182

Image 1

"Items used on your adventure

The Y-button item registration feature becomes even more convenient!

Up until this point, you could register an item to the Y-button for use without having to open the menu, but now you can use it not only for items but also as a shortcut to an optional menu screen."

Text under Pokabu's Pokédex entry

"If you check a certain checkbox in the bottom right part of the screen, it is registered to the Y-button."

Text under field screenshot

"If you press the Y-button, registered functions are displayed in a makeshift menu, and you can do things like use items or directly jump to a menu."

Screenshot text

"Pokémon Information > Ability
Pokédex > Explanation
Bag > Item"

Image 2

"Differences depending on version

-The appearance of differing locations!

In the same spot on the map, two completely different locations, "Black City" in Pokémon Black, and "White Forest" in Pokémon White, exist."

Side, under Pokémon Black logo

"Black City is an urban area with lots of buildings lined up."

Top left screenshot

"There are tons of buildings reflecting in my glasses!  I feel like I'm gonna get dizzy."

Bottom left screenshot

"In this city, you can obtain anything so long as you have money!"

Underneath art of the areas

"Images of Black City (left) and White Forest (right)"

Under Pokémon White logo

"The contrasting White Forest is naturally abundant in elegance."

Top right screenshot

"The delicious air!  The good-feeling wind!"

Bottom right screenshot

"That is proof that there are Pokémon living in this forest."

>>183
Thank you kindly.

Trivia question: how often when typing compounds Japanese type them part by part rather then wholly(e.g. instead of typing KESA<SPACE> to get 今朝 type IMA<SPACE>ASA<SPACE>)

>>185
See >>175.

Hi

http://imgur.com/faPeY.jpg

What does the text of this button say? Its on my WHV visa application which I'm in a bit of a panic to do

Any help massively appreciated!! :)

>>187

"Print form"

http://services.4-ch.net/2chportal/2chindex.html
the guide page above includes several minor mistakes. i.e.:

oira おいら — Us. From おれら.
oira does not come from おれら. it's from japanese dialect for おれ.

majisure マジスレ — Serious response, naive reply to a troll or joke. From 真面目(まじめ), "really, seriously, no kidding" and スレ.
this should be the definition for "majiresu マジレス"

kinenmakiko 記念真紀子 — Posting in a legendary thread. From 記念なスレッドで書き込み → 記念書きこ, with a portmanteau of Japanese politician 田中真紀子.
correct one is → 記念にスレッドへ書き込み.

Is Genki worth the purchase? I've been looking to extend my knowledge of Japanese now that I've got the kana memorized and I've seen Genki mentioned a couple times. Thinking about ordering the Genki I set off of J-list but still on the fence. Can you guys vouch for the quality of this series?

hello
iam a japanese man.

i came here so that learn to speak English.

>>190
Ehh, it's alright. I'd recommend elementary Japanese volume 1 and 2 on amazon instead. The layout is easier to follow, and the books are cheaper. The Genki books are really expensive too if you buy everything.

What's the difference between

Kono/Kore
Sono/Sore
Ano/Are

As in, when are they used. I'm told that "no" is the adjective and "re" is the pronoun bu that doesn't really help me. An example would be great help.

>>193
Well I really suck at explaining things, but I'll try to help you anyway.
Kono (this thing) - Is used with nouns and stuff close to you. このぺん (this pen)
この机 (this desk)

Kore (this) - Is used when there's no noun, but is instead followed by a particle.
これは僕のぺん. (this is my pen)

It's the same thing with the others. Except for sono/sore (that) it's things near you. Like a TV across your room.
そのテレビは古いね (that TV is old, isn't it?)
それが僕のテレビだ (that is my TV)

Again, it's the same with the others except this time, it's things distant from both the speaker and listener. Like a bus stop across the street.
そのバスは速いだな (that bus is fast)
それが僕のバス (that is my bus)

Hope this helped.

>>194
Sorry, I messed up at the last part. I meant to put
あのバスは速いだな
あれが僕のバス

>>194

ペンはカタカナで書かなければいけない。
Pen must be written in Katakana.

「速いだな」は間違い。正しくは「速いな」。
"速いだな" is wrong. Correct it to "速いな".

>>196
Thanks for the corrections. I knew I was messing up pretty badly while writing those sentences, since I don't know how to write Japanese ones properly.

is there a singular word for maybe?

>>198
たぶん

>>196
ペンは片仮名で書けなきゃ
ペンは片仮名で書けなければなりません
ペンは片仮名で書けなければならないんです
ペンは片仮名で書けないと

etc etc

Actually what are all the different ways to say that?  My favourite is なきゃ - short and sweet.