View Full Version : Japanese language stuffs
Lenilya
10-16-06, 06:06 PM
Going to school, kind of become a tutor to a japanese exchange student. She's 5 years older than me, and I'm looking for some good expresions/sayings for her. She's pretty independent, and doesn't mind the informality of the US, but I'd like some more 'proper' ways of saying things to someone older than me.
I've also learned that I know way more japanese than I realized. And that my accent is very decent. (she said)
Oh, and since I cant use kawaii, and I've allready used utsukushii, what is another way to compliment her looks?
Well I don't know what you could speak... but please don't use any phrases you picked up in anime or manga just to be safe, heh. Probably stating the obvious though.
Sollon Darkmoon
10-16-06, 06:24 PM
Well I don't know what you could speak... but please don't use any phrases you picked up in anime or manga just to be safe, heh. Probably stating the obvious though.
If you do you might end up looking like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg1XKSh53tA
例えば： あの blouse は とても 似合う です
美しい I am not sure if it's appropriate, depending on what your relationship is.
綺麗 is more safe to use imo. ;p
Lenilya
10-17-06, 06:27 PM
Funfact: I can't read hira/kata
Sollon Darkmoon
10-17-06, 06:29 PM
例えば： あの blouse は とても 似合う です
美しい I am not sure if it's appropriate, depending on what your relationship is.
綺麗 is more safe to use imo. ;p
Think he will need the Romanization version heh.
Sollon Darkmoon
10-17-06, 07:12 PM
Tatoeba - A(h) no blouse wa totemo 似合う desu.
I suck :(
Funfact: I can't read hira/kata
Good, so read the kanji in Suzuka's post! :)
ok translation and romaji.
tatoeba = for example, that blouse suits (you) very well. literal: that blouse very suits is.
ano blouse ha totemo niau desu
美しい utsukushii = beautiful; lovely.
綺麗 kirei = pretty, beautiful, can also deviate a bit from those but the 1st 2 are the most used.
Sollon Darkmoon
10-18-06, 05:05 PM
ok translation and romaji.
tatoeba = for example, that blouse suits (you) very well. literal: that blouse very suits is.
ano blouse ha totemo niau desu
美しい utsukushii = beautiful; lovely.
綺麗 kirei = pretty, beautiful, can also deviate a bit from those but the 1st 2 are the most used.
Just curious but why did you use desu?
Because he wanted polite version, and it sounds more natural to say desu at the end, if you say it fast. I speak japanese with few of my japanese friends from time to time, but I use more familiar form such as "da" as for desu, you can never go wrong with it. If you have some experience speaking the language you just know, that is "right". Same thing with English. As for desu the "u" is barely if not at all heard.
Can also say, Anatano(your) blouse(or whatever you want) ha totemo niau desu
Of course it is better to just say the name of the person. For example Akiko-san no blouse ha totemo（can also avoid this workd if you want) kawaii(kirei, niau,etc）desu
Sollon Darkmoon
10-18-06, 05:23 PM
Because he wanted polite version, and it sounds more natural to say desu at the end, if you say it fast. I speak japanese with few of my japanese friends from time to time, but I use more familiar form such as "da" as for desu, you can never go wrong with it. If you have some experience speaking the language you just know, that is "right". Same thing with English. As for desu the "u" is barely if not at all heard.
Ah, figured it was the more formal/polite version just haven't figured out how you know its "right" yet :P.
Lenilya
10-18-06, 06:45 PM
My pronounciation is fine, she can give me a word in romaji, and 9/10 I'll say it correctly the first time. After once or twice, I'll even get the accents right.