Teaching English, seeking Japanese tuition

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by sarvodaya

In life there is comfort; there is hardship too.
After tears a rainbow appears.
Carry on steadily,
Keeping your foot firmly upon your chosen path.

In life courage is essential,
When you have lost something dear and feel like giving up,
If it is unpleasant to be surpassed by your successors,
If it is unpleasant to weep, come now and walk!

In life there are both tears and smiles.
Life is not so bad
From living, great things can come,
Set a goal and live!

覚

人生　楽ありゃ　苦もあるさ　（じんせい　らくありゃ 　くもあるさ）
涙のあとには　虹も出る　　（なみだのあとには　にじ もでる）
歩いてゆくんだ　しっかりと　　（あるいてゆくんだ　 しっかりと）
自分の道を　ふみしめて　　（じぶんのみちを　ふみし めて）

人生　勇気が必要だ　　（じんせい　ゆうきがひつよう だ）
くじけりゃ　誰かが先に行く　（くじけりゃ　だれかが さきにゆく）
あとから来たのに　追い越され　　（あとからきたのに 　おいこされ）
泣くのが嫌なら　さあ歩け　　（なくのがいやなら　さ ああるけ）

人生　涙と笑顔あり （じんせい　なみだとえがおあり）
そんなに悪くは　ないもんだ　（そんなにわるくは　な いもんんだ）
なんにもしないで　生きるより　（なんにもしないで　 いきるより）
何かを求めて　生きようよ　（なにかをもとめて　いき ようよ）

There are only two parts.

When you have lost something dear and feel like giving up,
くじけりゃ　誰かが先に行く　（くじけりゃ　だれかが さきにゆく）
You have lost the part誰かが先に行く. It means like “someone would overtake you”

From living, great things can come,
Set a goal and live!
なんにもしないで　生きるより
何かを求めて　生きようよ
I have written about this part in my previous post.

Good luck!

[sarvodaya]

Originally Posted by yumyumtimtam

おはようございます！
(I wrote this before 10:00!)

I woke up at 7 this morning and did some washing...and around 10am, I started writing this... but I went here and there and did this and that... and now it's 13:30!
Can you give me an adjective for me?
I could be moody sometimes then hard to concentrate on one thing and always doing a few things at the same time..and can't finish any of them.
How can I describe that kind of person or being like that?
Please don't give me a word "crazy" !
I'm like that today!

Perhaps a good word is "lethargic", but maybe this is not what you mean...
Maybe it's more like "hyperactive"...
or "distractible"?

Yes, you are right.

but now I realized and wondered that if it's good for you to write in romanji...
cos to learn how to read ひらがな it's better not to think with alphabet...
mmm what do you think?

I also think it is preferable to avoid ローマ字, but in the case of testing reading of ひらがな I don't know how else to demonstrate this ability.
However, I have been careful not to just write, for instance, "ohisashiburi desu", but "o-hi-sa-shi-bu-ri de-su" instead. 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.

When I was a real beginner, I used ひらがなandカタカナ to remember
how to read ... like this..

tunnel タぁのぅ
but actual Japanese word isトンネル for tunnel.

How do you learn the pronunciation ?
with some CDs?

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!

I bet you have a great one because you are one of The Oxford University Press people! which is absolutely fabulous darling

Oh, it is darling!

I believe the best way to practise pronunciation is to listen and copy
to a native speaker speaking especially the one's voice is very similar to yours!


よくできました 　This is a typical way of the teacher would say "good job" to the pupils.


Yes, you are right.

How about these?
I'm alone here right now, but I might talk to myself (I dont usually)like...
あとで　アイスクリーム　かってこよう！

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!

If I'm with someone who is totally in love with me and willing to do anything for me (joking
あとで　チョコレート　と　ドーナツ　かってきて！

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

たいへん　よくできました This is another typical one.

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

なるほど・・・しりませんでした。ありがとうございま す。

na-ru-ho-do...shi-ri-ma-se-n-de-shi-ta
I see... I didn't understand.
どういたしまして。

わかりました。れんしゅうしてみます。

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

Thank you!
You are right, it's usually clear from the context,
I used to end up saying like......
"Japanese students are... ah you know I mean people are learning Japanese, not "Japanese" students and ah ah... you know what I mean...?"
Something like that always!
but now you taught me the difference so I will practise to emphasise it properly!Thank you!

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.

Thank you, I will try to find one depending on the context.

You know what I misread and thought
"I'd love to be called "adventurous" individual when I'm in a foreign country"
but it's "adventitious" a new word for me!Thank you

どういたしまして。

I see... I did the opposite didn't I?

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

"These are my friends Gaston, Colette and Luciana, she's from Brazil"
is more common than
"These are my friends Gaston and Colette, and this is my Brazilian friend Luciana."

You are right that the 2nd one makes the nationality/country sound more important.

I don't know but for some reason, I liked to be introduced like...
Hey Marcus, This is YYTT and she's from Japan.
...and YYTT, this is Marcus and he is one of my workmates.
than
Hey Rebecca, This is my Japanese friend YYTT.
...YYTT, this is Rebecca.We go to the same gym.

I wanted to be called "a friend", not "a Japanese friend" (or mate in Australia)... but maybe it's not so important than I thought.


I thought he's cute.
Please tell him that a Japanese girl (well I'm not a girl anymore though) said he was cute
People say I have a weird sense though.

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

まいしゅうではないのですか？

ma-i-shu-u-de-ha-na-i-no-de-su-ka?
Is it not every week then?

so how often 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.

wow....thanks, I will go and have a look, ...well a lot of look actually!


You know what? I got so interested already!
YouTube - ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS series1 episode1 [part one]
the mother is wearing Japanese traditional nighty and she even mentioned about budda and Japanese!

Yes, this was mocking the "fad" of cynically following eastern religions in a very superficial way in the eighties. Eddy represents a quasi-yuppie binge-drinking fashion-victim whose daughter, Saffron, represents her externalised super ego and acts as a foil to Eddy and Patsy.

I loved when she said "Darrrrrling" (how should I spell it?).
Oh and she said "bloody" a lot!!!
When I visited England, I never heard of anyone said it. (it was only 10 days stay in London,Hastings and Dover).

Well, it is considered rude. Although it is probably the most traditional and least offensive way to swear.
I just had a look at what you watched, and I wonder if it might be a bit too advanced to begin with. I say that because there are so many cultural references and idioms that it may not make sense straight away.

You might be better off starting with these:
Harry Hill — simpler, absurdist comedy
One Foot in the Grave — situational comedy
Fawlty Towers — physical comedy
Bill Bailey — simpler, absurdist comedy
Eddie Izzard — simple but quite erudite comedy, some absurdisms
Morcambe & Wise — simpler traditional comedy act
That reminds me of the absolute legend:
Tommy Cooper!

This song is stuck in my head now!
"Wheels on fire.... rolling down the road
?with no where park my next ???
This will shine next floor???

Can you give me the answer pleeeeez!?

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.

Wasn't it too easy for you?!
please read this aloud (Is this right English?)
あかさたなはまやらわ

a-ka-sa-ta-na-ha-ma-ya-ra-wa

あがざだなばまやらわ

a-ga-za-da-na-ba-ma-ya-ra-wa

あかさたなぱまやらわ

a-ka-sa-ta-na-pa-ma-ya-ra-wa

いまから　どこかに　いきますか？

"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...!

よくねむれましたか？

"Did you sleep well?"
Yes, thank you.

さて、わたしは　いまから　アイスを　かいに　スーパ ーにいきます。

"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?

では
いってきます

いってらっしゃい。
覚

[manganimefan227]

Hiya!! I'd like to ask for your help in Japanese for practice in conversation, even if it's just a typed one XD

I know all hiragana and katakana and a little kanji I've studied for a year now. I hope to be atleast somewhat fluent by the time I leave college.

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by manganimefan227

Hiya!! I'd like to ask for your help in Japanese for practice in conversation, even if it's just a typed one XD

I know all hiragana and katakana and a little kanji I've studied for a year now. I hope to be atleast somewhat fluent by the time I leave college.

こんにちは。manganimefanさん。
あなたが好きなマンガは何ですか？

[YuriTokoro]

＠覚さんへ　(＠sarvodaya)

Hi. I have three questions.

My grandmother came from Ireland. You may have heard of the Irish Potato Famine. This was a terrible time of starvation and poverty in Irish history, during which around a million people died and a similar number left the country in order to survive. What caused this was, in part, what we call a monoculture. This is when a farmer, or a whole agricultural sector, becomes dependent upon one variety of crop for survival.

1. Can I say “while” instead of “during which” ?
What is the difference?

2. Does “one variety of” mean “various”?
Why isn’t that “one variety of crops”?

Thus famine will be prevented. Of course in the case of the Potato Famine, there were many other historical factors that induced the dependence upon potatoes, but when one has the choice it is certainly preferable not to rely upon a single variety of crops.

3. “A single variety of crops” means one strain?
Why isn’t it in singular form?

It is a little late to ask. Sorry; I’m slow.
Thank you.

[JamboP26]

@YuriTokoro

1. You can say 'while' instead of 'during which'. There's no real difference. Its just quicker to say.

2. 'One variety of' means a certain group out of multiple groups. For example: Car makers Toyota, Nissan and Honda all make various models of car. If you were looking for 'one variety of' Nissan, you'd be looking for a certain kind of Nissan. Whereas if you are looking for 'various' Nissan's, you'd be looking at every car Nissan makes. A poor example maybe, but it makes my point. As for the second question in 2, as your looking for 'one variety of' crop, you use the singular version, instead of the plural.

3. As for this question, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let someone else answer that one for you, as I have no idea why. lol

Anyway, I hope my answers have helped

[dogsbody70]

[quote=YuriTokoro;825158]＠覚さんへ　(＠sarvodaya)

Hi. I have three questions.


1. Can I say “while” instead of “during which” ?
What is the difference? (I think in this context "During which" is preferable, more dynamic)

2. Does “one variety of” mean “various”?
Why isn’t that “one variety of crops”?

Well you could say ONE crop variety but as there are many plants to make that CROP-- then variety of crops is fine.

3. “A single variety of crops” means one strain?
Why isn’t it in singular form?

It is a little late to ask. Sorry; I’m slow.
Thank you.[/QUOTE

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by JamboP26

@YuriTokoro

1. You can say 'while' instead of 'during which'. There's no real difference. Its just quicker to say.

2. 'One variety of' means a certain group out of multiple groups. For example: Car makers Toyota, Nissan and Honda all make various models of car. If you were looking for 'one variety of' Nissan, you'd be looking for a certain kind of Nissan. Whereas if you are looking for 'various' Nissan's, you'd be looking at every car Nissan makes. A poor example maybe, but it makes my point. As for the second question in 2, as your looking for 'one variety of' crop, you use the singular version, instead of the plural.

3. As for this question, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let someone else answer that one for you, as I have no idea why. lol

Anyway, I hope my answers have helped

Hi, JamboP26.
Thank you!

I see. So, “one variety of Nissan” means “a certain type of vehicle of Nissan”. Right?
Thanks again!

[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by dogsbody70

I think in this context "During which" is preferable, more dynamic

Well you could say ONE crop variety but as there are many plants to make that CROP-- then variety of crops is fine.

Hi, dogsbody!

A variety of crops. OK.
Hmm…English is really difficult!
Thank you for helping.

[JamboP26]

Originally Posted by YuriTokoro

Hi, JamboP26.
Thank you!

I see. So, “one variety of Nissan” means “a certain type of vehicle of Nissan”. Right?
Thanks again!

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.