Teaching English, seeking Japanese tuition

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by JamboP26

That is right. “one variety of Nissan” can be a group of Skyline's, GT-R's or March's. But it can also be, as in your example, a group of Nissan vans, Nissan trucks or Nissan cars. It's quite a flexible phrase. lol. Here to help any time.

Thank you!
Your example is very easy-to-understand and helpful!

[manganimefan227]

名前はここにルキアです。

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by manganimefan227

名前はここにルキアです。

Hi.
名前はここにルキアです doesn't make sense.
Do you use an online translator?

[Koir]

Originally Posted by YuriTokoro

Hi.
名前はここにルキアです doesn't make sense.
Do you use an online translator?

That's what my thinking was as well.

[manganimefan227]

Nyo T.T

That was a self-written statement!

My name here is Lukia . . .

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by manganimefan227

Nyo T.T

That was a self-written statement!

My name here is Lukia . . .

I'm so sorry!

「私のここでの名前はルキアです」should be better.

ルキアさん、you are welcomed!
I think sarvodaya and Yamu-san will also welcome you.

[yumyumtimtam]

覚さん　こんにちは。
おへんじを　ありがとうございました。

I saw this news several times on TV today about the Dictionary.
(English)
Ihttp://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/hikikomori-finds-way-into-oxford-dictionary-of-english
(Japanese)
http://backnumber.dailynews.yahoo.co...20100820&c=top

A guy on the TV said
it's kind of sad to see not-happy-にほんごs are introducing to the world.

そうそう、
Do you see/hear people using the word "mottainai" in UK?
About 5 years ago,there was some international youth meeting in Tokyo and I was in it.
We all were staying in the same accommodation for 3 days and it made us very close so I cried a lot on the last day...oops..this isn't the point...
one of the groups did a great presentation about environment they said "mottainai" was going to be an international word.

Originally Posted by sarvodaya

Maybe it's more like "hyperactive"...
or "distractible"?

I see...
you know 覚さん... I have been totally opposite of hyperactive and feeling so low...
maybe because it's been too hot here. 　たぶん　なつばて　です。

In this way it is clear that these are not English letters or sounds, almost as though -hi- or -bu- were just another symbol for ひ or ぶ.

OK ☆そうですね☆

Actually, no! I began with the website Teach Yourself Japanese
This was very simple and useful. Then I listened many times to the song recommended by ゆりさん, which helped a lot.
Now I think I should listen to and learn some more songs ? I like this way of learning!

yes songs!
***
I went to YOUTUBE and was looking for one with male vocal singer and its lyrics are not too poetic... but couldn't find any. Let me try again later.

but here are some love songs for the moment.
I used to go to karaoke with a big group of Japanese students and they liked レミオロメン's songs.
YouTube - レミオロメン　sakura　（歌詞つき）
YouTube - レミオロメン　3月9日
YouTube - レミオロメン 粉雪

lyrics serch
http://www.uta-net.com/user/ichiran....ount=86&sort=2

Oh, it is darling!

My カタカナ aren't quite so good...
a-to-de a-i-su-ku-ri--mu ka-tte-ko-yo-u
Afterwards I think I'll buy some ice cream and come back!

はい。せいかいです。

a-to-de cho-ko-re--to -to- do--na-tsu ka-tte-ki-te
Afterwards go and buy some chocolate anddoughnuts and bring them back!
Now I know the way to your heart!

（笑） = (laugh)
yes mint chocolate works the best

Maybe vegemite on a toast will work too! but not marmite!!

ta-i-he-n yo-ku-de-ki-ma-shi-ta
very well done

そのとおりです。

na-ru-ho-do...shi-ri-ma-se-n-de-shi-ta
I see... I didn't understand.

I think...
I didn't undersntad = わかりませんでした
I didn't know= しりませんでした

wa-ka-ri-ma-shi-ta.re-n-shu-u-shi-te-mi-ma-su.
Understood. I'll try to practise.

はい。

Ah, I see! That can be embarrassing, but just try to be confident and wait for the other person to ask ?
they will if it is unclear! You can see in their eyes if they have understood.

そうですね。こんどから　そうします！

No, you were right, the 2nd one emphasises the country. My example was not clear, here are some more:

くわしいせつめいを　ありがとうございました。
よく　わかりました。

Oh, ho ho! I do not know him personally, but I will try to pass on the message!

hahaha よろしくおねがいしま～す

ma-i-shu-u-de-ha-na-i-no-de-su-ka?
Is it not every week then?
Well, when they are making it it is weekly, but they only make it for a few weeks out of every year ?
usually around 17 weeks divided amongst spring and autumn.

mmm a bit confusing... sounds like a riddle to me... maybe I had too much wine already?

Why not in summer and winter?

I say that because there are so many cultural references and idioms that it may not make sense straight away.

なるほど～。
I just loved how they were talking so I watched it more than 5 times and laught some, but yes,there were some parts I didn't get why it's funny.

You might be better off starting with these:.........

Wow.... you know what? You just gave me the best homework ever! Thank you!!
When I come back from my trip to とうほく と ほっかいどう( I'm leaving tomorrow!), I will totally work on them.

This wheel's on fire
このホイールが燃えている
Rolling down the road
ロール道路に沿って
Best notify my next of kin
通知する最近親者を
This wheel shall explode!
このホイール爆発する
Oh I see you got it now. How is my translation? It probably makes no sense. I should wait until I know more.

Yes I got it,
but I was surprized when I found out who was singing that song!

Your translation was a great help for me.
How about this?
このタイヤは　もえている
どうろを　ころがりおちていく(or ころがっていく)

but...I don't quite understand "best notify my next of kin" part...
Does it mean like... I've got to let my closest relative know (that the wheel will explode) ?or a relative who lives nextdoor?

a-ka-sa-ta-na-ha-ma-ya-ra-wa
a-ga-za-da-na-ba-ma-ya-ra-wa
a-ka-sa-ta-na-pa-ma-ya-ra-wa

yep, please try "i" line too!

"Are you going somewhere now?"
To bed! But I suppose I shouldn't say 行ってきます when the place I'm going to is my bed...!

as a joke, maybe...
but I think when we say 行ってきます　
we know that the listeners know where we are going to.

"Well, now I'm going to the supermarket to bring back some ice cream."
But what is かいに? Is it for a party?
いってらっしゃい。
覚

"well now I'm going to the supermarket to buy some icecream (and come back here)."
かいに（かい に) = かうために = in order to buy です
買う（かう） is the basic form (sorry Im not sure if you call it the basic form, but Im sure you know what I mean)

I don't see/here many people use 「会」alone, but usually like...
XXX会. but when we know what会 we are talking about, we might use 会 alone.

運動会

誕生会

誕生日会

自治会

飲み会*

These are all differnet type of 会（かい）。
*colloquial



では　わたしは　りょこうに　いってきま～す☆

have a good day!　覚さん

[manganimefan227]

Originally Posted by YuriTokoro

I'm so sorry!

「私のここでの名前はルキアです」should be better.

ルキアさん、you are welcomed!
I think sarvodaya and Yamu-san will also welcome you.

Don't apologize!! I'm learning, you're supposed to say harsh things like that to beginners . . .it motivates us!!

That makes sense though!! Thank you very much!!

I'll have to practice my grammar here this weekend with an introduction paragraph!

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by manganimefan227

Don't apologize!! I'm learning, you're supposed to say harsh things like that to beginners . . .it motivates us!!

OK. I will correct your Japanese. Post something in Japanese.

That makes sense though!! Thank you very much!!

You are welcome!

I'll have to practice my grammar here this weekend with an introduction paragraph!

「はじめまして。ユリです。どうぞよろしく」
What would you answer?

[sarvodaya]

Originally Posted by YuriTokoro

覚さん、こんばんは。

ゆりさん、こんばんは。

I think I’ve got that.
When you say “Or you would go mad”, you just have said some advice. On the other hand, when you say “Or you would go insane” with bland or serious expressions, you say the advice joking. Is this right?

Yes, that's exactly right. So it's still advice, but its hyperbolic ironic seriousness is amusing at the same time.

Yes, いただけませんかis ”いただく＋negative form ＋question.”
When you say 「胡椒をとっていただきたい」(I want you to pass me the pepper.), you sound arrogant. So you add the negative form ません and the question form か.

Ah, I see. It's good to know how to avoid sounding arrogant!
ありがとうございました。

However, literally, it is not "Can't I get the pepper, please?"
It may be “Can I get you to pass me the pepper?” (I’m not sure if my English is correct. It means like “I’m sorry to bother you, but may I make you pass me the pepper?”) I mean it’s not just “get the pepper”, but “get you …..”. My English is too poor to explain!

No, ゆりさん, your English is not too poor: I understand!
You mean it is like "Can I get you to pass the pepper, please?"
Or maybe "If I ask really nicely, do you think I could get you to pass me the pepper please?"
(Yes, people do actually say that!)
The literal sense you want to convey is that it's talking about persuading someone to do something. Is that right?

This is also good and polite expression. 「胡椒をとっていただきたいのですが」

ありがとうございました。

Useful examples:
「(僕と)お付き合いしていただけませんか/（ぼくと）おつきあいしていただけませんか」「僕とお 付き合いしてくださいませんか」Be my sweetheart. (I’m sorry; I don’t know the polite version of this expression. The Japanese sentence is very polite. )

Perhaps it would be: "Please, won't you do me the honour of being my sweetheart?"
Most people would probably feel a bit silly saying something so elaborate in English, but it depends...

「（僕と）結婚していただけませんか」「僕と結婚して くださいませんか」Will you marry me?(I’m sorry; I don’t know, again. The Japanese sentence is polite.)

"Please would you do me the honour of being my bride?"
As it is a proposal it is more common to say something elaborate like this, even in English!

You can also say ：「僕と付き合ってください(casual)」「彼女になってく� ��さい(young people)」
彼女 usually means “she”, but sometimes means “ female lover”.

「(僕と)結婚してください(polite)」「（僕と）結婚して� �れ」「俺の女房になれ(Be my wife!)」

ありがとうございました、ゆりさん! I now have all the skills necessary to find a Japanese bride!

There are another いただく as you have written "Can't I get the pepper, please?".
You know, you say いただきます before you eat, remember? I think it means “I receive this boon.

ゆりさん、of course I remember; I love that expression! By the way, "I receive this boon" is technically correct, but no-one would say that in England. The word "boon" can sound pretentious, and it would in this context. There is not a direct translation, but the closest acceptable English sentence may be: "I humbly and gratefully receive this."

“いただく” can mean “receive” and “get”, and its casual version is “もらう”.
助さんに、本を一冊いただくI receive a book from Sukesan.(However, I know that you would say “Sukesan gives me a book.” That would be 助さんが、本を一冊くださる)

Casual; 「助さんに、本を一冊もらう」「助さんが、本を一冊く れる」

Note!
There is a very important difference between English and Japanese.
We usually say「助さんに本をいただく」｢助さんに本をもらう｣「 助さんが本をくださる」「助さんが本をくれる」.
We don’t mention about the number except when the number is important.
So, 「助さんが本をくれる」should be “Sukesan gives me a book/books.”
If you don’t like “/”, I don’t know how to write.

Don't worry, ゆりさん, that's the usual way to write an ambiguity.

Basically, most Japanese sentences can’t be translated into English to be exact.

Let’s imagine. You just arrived at Tokyo airport. You have spent many hours on the airplane. You meet me at the lobby, and say about your flight.
“I read a book on the plane.”
That’s「飛行機の中で本を読んでいました」.
If you say「飛行機の中で、私は一冊の本を読みました」, I would misunderstand that you have finished the book and that the flight must have been too long.

I understand. In English, this is the difference between "I read one book" and "I read a book". However, if you really meant that the flight was long, you would probably say "I read one whole book on the flight". I think the structure is more straightforward in Japanese.

About Sakoku, here is what Ronald P. Toby had to say on the matter in 1977:

There were no edicts entitled "Sakoku-rei," and there was no "Sakoku policy" in the 1630s. Indeed the very word sakoku did not exist in the seventeenth century. The terms of the day were kaikin (maritime prohibitions, a Ming term), go-kinsei, go-genkin, or simply go-kin, all of which mean "prohibitions"...

However, in 1801, in the face of Russian pressure for trade with Japan, a Nagasaki interpreter, Shizuki Tadao, translated from the Dutch version of Kaempfer (translated from Scheuzer, not from the original German) this chapter, "An Enquiry, whether it be conducive to the good of the Japanese Empire, to keep it shut up as it now is, and not to suffer its inhabitants to have any Commerce with foreign nations, either at home or abroad," as "Ima no Nihonjin zenkoku o tozashite kokumin o shite kokuchū kokugai ni kagirazu aete iiki no hito to tsūshō o sezarashimuru jijitsu ni shoeki naru ni ataureri ya ina ya no ron."

He reversed the characters "kuni o tozasu" to obtain the convenient title "Sakoku ron." (In Shōnen hitsudoku Nihon bunko [12 vols., Hakubunkan, 1891-1892], vol. 5.)

Itazawa Takeo, in his Mukashi no nanyō to Nihon (Nihon Hōsō Shuppan Kyōkai, 1940),p.145, was the first to identify Shizuki as the creator of the term sakoku, which did not become a common term of historiography until after the Meiji Restoration. Yet the term sakoku has come to be used to describe the policies and edicts of an era 160 years prior to its creation. The phrase Shizuki translated as "kuni o tozasu," that is, Scheuzer's "keep it shut up," does not even appear in Kaempfer's original German, "Beweis, dass im Japanischen Reiche aus sehr guten Gründen den Eingebornen der Ausgang, fremden Nationen der Eingang, und alle Gemeinschaft dieses Landes mit übrigen Welt untersagt sey." Kaempfer, Geschichte und F. Beschreibung von Japan (2 vols., Stuttgart: A. BrockhausKomm.-Gesch., Abt. 1964),2:385.

The earliest use I have thus far found of the term sakoku in a Bakufu document is in the letter of Hayashi Fukusai and Tsuda Masamichi to the buke densō, February 12, 1858, during their mission to Kyoto to discuss the Harris Treaty with the imperial court. Dainihon komonjo bakumatsu gaikoku kankei monjo (Tōkyō Teikoku Daigaku, Shiryō Hensan Gakari, 1910- ), 18:796-799.

Journal of Japanese Studies, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Summer, 1977), pp. 323-324

So that's interesting. Apparently the original terminology really was different and the word sakoku was used to make it sound draconian and worse than the reality. Is that the impression you get from reading this?

I see! We say “My stomach is ‘パンパン’”. But it’s not drumming, but means the condition is full. When you put too many things in your bag, it’s also ‘panpan’.
The sort of expression is “オノマトペ(from onomatopoeia)”.

Gosh, that's interesting!

Many elderly Japanese people really love this song. They wish to sing it in English, but most of them can’t, because singing in English is difficult to them.
After you finish 「ああ人生に涙あり」, I believe this song is very good for you. What do you think?

Ok, let's do it!
Please would you help me with the words like last time?
After that I would like to learn a more traditional Japanese song as well!

なんにもしないdo not lift a finger
なんにもしないでwithout doing anything
よりthan


Let’s live seeking for something rather than to live without doing anything.
Is this grammatically correct?

"Let's live seeking for something rather than live without doing anything."
You don't need to say "to live".
A slightly more natural way to say it would be:
"Let's set a direction in life rather than wander aimlessly."
...