Japanese Help Questions/Translations

[masaegu]

To jmusiclover:

That would all depend on how old you and the other person are, what the relationship between the two is like, etc...

Here are some samples, however, that are pretty much common in letters to friends in Japanese.

Beginnings:

1. Konnichiwa. Ogenki desuka.
2. Ohisashiburi desu. Ikaga osugoshi deshouka.

Endings:

1. Dewa mata. Ogenki de.
2. Soredewa mata. Ogenki de osugoshi kudasai.

In each set, number 2 is slightly more formal than number 1.

[jmusiclover]

Actually (and this is going to sound so stupid once I type it out), it's a letter going to the members of alice nine. I'm sending Tora a gift for his birthday and including a letter for all the members in the package.

Don't go away just yet! I said it would sound stupid once I out it into words.

Anyway, so I would use the more formal phrases since I don't any of them personally and they certainly don't know me, right? So how would I write that in hiragana and katakana? And what are the translations for each set you gave? I know that "ogenki desuka" means roughly "how are you?", but the others I'm lost on.

[chibibecci]

Originally Posted by jmusiclover

Anyway, so I would use the more formal phrases since I don't any of them personally and they certainly don't know me, right? So how would I write that in hiragana and katakana? And what are the translations for each set you gave? I know that "ogenki desuka" means roughly "how are you?", but the others I'm lost on.

こんにちわ。おげんきですか。- konnichiwa, ogenki desu ka?
This is one of the possible starters given by masaegu written in hiragana for you, hope its useful

I also need help, if I said "bakansu wa dou deshita ka?" would that make sense as "how was your holiday?"

[jmusiclover]

Originally Posted by chibibecci

こんにちわ。おげんきですか。- konnichiwa, ogenki desu ka?
This is one of the possible starters given by masaegu written in hiragana for you, hope its useful

Arigatou gozaimasu! I think that'll be the easiest for me to write out since I know most all of the basic hiragana and I'm only just starting to learn more grammar and vocabulary. I'm hoping to send the letters out tomorrow, so thanks for your help, you two!

[jmusiclover]

Here's another translation question: I've heard these words in several songs and I have no idea what they mean. Can anyone help me out?

itsumademo
dakashimete (dakishimete?)
dekiru
mou ichido
subete
sobani (sobane?)

And what does it mean when a girl says "boku"? I thought it was only for men to refer to themselves. And when a man says "anata"? I'd learned that it was an endearment for a husband used by the wife.

Arigatou!

[chibibecci]

I think when someone says anata it means you.

It could be used as "anata ga suki desu" meaning I like you (wow cheesy example lol) That's the only one I can help you with though.

[82riceballs]

Originally Posted by jmusiclover

itsumademo
dakashimete (dakishimete?)
dekiru
mou ichido
subete
sobani (sobane?)

And what does it mean when a girl says "boku"? I thought it was only for men to refer to themselves. And when a man says "anata"? I'd learned that it was an endearment for a husband used by the wife.

what song are these words from?
itsumademo = forever
dakishimete = hug (it comes from dakishimeru.) is there an -iru or -ru after it?
dekiru = can (e.g. eigo ga dekiru- I can (speak) english)
mou ichido = one more time
subete = everything/ all
soba ni = next to (you)

when i watch tv, i usually hear husbands say "omae". only the wife says "anata" to the husband so ur right. "anata" can also mean "you", like an store person to a customer, when ur talking to a stranger, etc... it shows respect.

if i hear a girl say "boku", i think of a tomboy. as for singers, i'm not sure why girls say it. leave this question for a native.

[masaegu]

Please Please do NOT write 'Konnichiwa' as 'こんにちわ'. It should always be written as 'こんにちは'. The fact that the final kana is pronounced as 'wa' doesn't affect the correct way to write that phrase. I say this because you probably will be writing 'Konnichiwa' more often than many other phrases in Japanese throughout your life. You wouldn't want to make a mistake in the very first line of your letter to a Japanese, either, would you?　

[MMM]

Great point, Masaegu!

[chibibecci]

Thanks I will remember that