３０歳。イギリス人。日本語を勉強していて単語リストや漢字についてテキストを書く。よろしくね～ (Please contact me if you spot any mistakes in my posts!) Post Total: 25 Latest posts
The book I read this month is the second part (of five) of The Name of the Wind. I had actually read 100 pages before taking this on this month but it’s 280 total, so it was still a challenge getting through it before the end of the month.
I think I’ve cooled a little on Rothfuss’ work but it’s still interesting to go through this. Because it’s translated from English, it has a very different feel from something written in Japanese.
I’ll be aiming to finish something a little shorter for February before I move on to the next part.
Once again, I walk ass backward into victory an unexpected break. Uhh, so 2021 really hasn’t been an improvement so far and I know I wasn’t expecting much but still. That first week? Not a fan. Towards the end of 2020, I was getting into a decent rhythm with doing some studying each day during my break and planning small tasks for days I was working.
Then the first week of January happened and the doomscrolling started again.
Not to give out too much information but in addition to the UK going into lockdown way too late for the third time (given how quickly things got worse, don’t think the second one should have stopped so early), then things in the US kicked off, then there was a medical emergency in the family. It’s taken a lot out of me.
I know I only have four more grammar posts to do and I have more time off work next week. I’m really going to try to get at least one done next week, for my sanity more than anything else.
In terms of goals outside this blog, my two goals for the year are to sit the N1 exam (a goal from last year that unfortunately couldn’t be reached for reasons far beyond my control) and to read one book in Japanese roughly each month or so to help improve my ability to read for long periods of time. Ultimately I think both are doable but challenging, so we’ll see how they go. I’m not going to force things too hard though, I’m aware that things could quite suddenly change and one or both might be impossible again.
Day 26 - I swear the second one will make sense, I just didn’t want to put all of the possible versions in the title. The second grammar point may get its own post eventually so that I can include examples of all the points.
～ ( のこと)となると 名 ＋ (のこと) となると “If that’s the case; if it comes to that” Shows an attitude that is contrary to the typical one when an issue arises.
～としたら, ～とすれば, ～とすると, ～となったら, ～となれば, ～となると 普通形 ＋ としたら・とすれば・とすると 名・普通形 ＋ となったら・となれば・となると “If one did; if one were to” If the first clause is true, then the second clause will also be true. The speaker uses this to give a judgement or conclusion. The forms with する have a strong hypothetical meaning. としたら can be used for intention or evaluation (in these cases it cannot be replaced with とすれば or とすると). とすれば is used for subjective/logical evaluations and is often followed by だろう or はずだ. とすると is objective and the speaker often assumes that the first clause is true (they do not know if it is but assume that it is). なる forms are less hypothetical and the speaker is more likely to be talking about when something will come true. (Note: I can’t find any information on if the なる forms differ from each other in any way.)
Day 25 - Three things with similar meanings but slightly different usages - must be another N2 grammar post! (One example each because otherwise this one will not get done.)
～につれて 名する・動 辞書形 ＋ につれて “As; in proportion to; with; following; in accordance with” As one thing changes, another thing also changes in proportion with it. The change only happens in one direction and is a natural change, not a wilful action. につれ is the more formal form used in writing.
例）年を取るにつれて体が凝ってなっていく。
～にしたがって 名する・動 辞書形 ＋ にしたがって “As; in proportion to; with; following; in accordance with” As above, it shows a proportional change. However, this change can go in more than one direction and often shows a natural change. This is used in writing more than につれて.
例）山を登るにしたがって気温が低くなる。
～に伴って (ともなって) 名する・動 辞書形 ＋ に伴って, 名する ＋ に伴う ＋ 名 “As; in proportion to; with; along with; at the same time” One change accompanies another change. This is used for large scale changes, not personal matters. It has a formal, written feel.
To my disappointment, I have learned that there is no everyday word for “condensation” in japanese, you just say 水がついている when you have condensation on the outside of your glass.
Wed, 02 Dec 2020 18:49:56
Day 24 - Put these two together because they both comes from verbs that can mean “respond”, so I will tend to mix them up. The nuances are different between the two, so it is worth knowing the difference.
～にこたえて 名 ＋ にこたえて, 名 ＋ にこたえる ＋ 名 “In response to” Something is done in response to someone’s hopes or wishes. A formal/written phrase used with words like 期待, 希望, 要望, アンコール, etc.
～におうじて 名 ＋ におうじて, 名 ＋ におうじる ＋ 名 “In accordance with; depending on” Something changes in accordance with something else that changes e.g. 体力, 年齢, 天候, etc. It is followed by expressions that mean “certain change happens in accordance with N”, e.g. 加減する, 戦法を変える, etc.
Day 23 - These two points were in the 総まとめ grammar book and actually came up in an N2 video I watched recently.
～がち 動ます・名 ＋ がち “Tend to” With a noun, something has the characteristics of that noun or tends to be in the state it implies. It is used to give an unusual or negative connotation and has a limited number of words it can be used with. With a verb, it means that someone tends to do something when not intending to (this is an unfavourable action). It is often used with どうしても, つい, うっかり, てしまう, etc.
例）幼いころから病気がちだから、毎日体調を記録する。 例）ほぼ毎日寝坊して事務所に遅れがちだ。
～気味 (ぎみ) 動ます・名 ＋ 気味 “Tendency towards; seems like; feels” Expresses a situation or tendency and is often negative.
hey guys!!! alot of you guys have been asking about my bujo & tips on starting one, so here are some tips for anyone who wants to start a bullet journal!!! i have included several spread & layout ideas for you guys; i hope that you find them useful!!! also!! do remember that every bujo is unique!! you don’t have to copy my spreads, but you can use them as references, if you’d like!! anyways, wishing you guys all the best!! have fun & enjoy the process!! (ㆁᴗㆁ✿)
When talking with Japanese people, in English or Japanese, you might notice that they frequently nod or interject something like はい or yes frequently while you are talking. This participatory style of communication characterizes spoken Japanese. With あいづち (aizuchi) or short interjections, the listener is letting you know that they are following you.
If the listener doesn’t show any reaction during a conversation, a Japanese person might feel uneasy and stop and ask if you understand. In some cases they may repeat what they said if they assume you don’t follow the conversation. Over the telephone this might happen if the listener doesn’t respond enough, with the speaker asking もしもし？ to see if the listener is still there.
あいづち is an important part of Japanese conversation, and even if it seems strange at first, with enough practice it will become second nature.
Examples of あいづち
はい (does not necessarily mean “I agree” when used as あいづち; formal)
ええ (less formal than はい)
うん (more casual than はい and ええ; sounds closer to a short, hard “mm” sound in English)
ああ (”ah, I see”; less formal)
へえ (”no way”; casual)
そうですか (”is that so?”; formal)
そうですね (”I see”; less formal)
そうっか (”I see”; casual)
そう (”I see”; casual)
そうなんですか (”oh really?”; expresses with extra emphasis)
ほんとうですか (”is that true?”; formal)
ほんとうに (”oh really?”; less formal)
マジ (”really?”; casual)
なるほど (”I see”, “that’s right”; formal)
You can always start with a nod (in person of course) to show the speaker that you’re listening, or interject a friendly はい when the speaker pauses (Japanese people will do this because they are used to receiving あいづち). Then start throwing in a new one each time you have a conversation and you’ll be on your way to becoming an あいづち natural!
Day 22 - Yes, the title is unfortunately correct. These are two different grammar points.
～ことだ 動 辞書形 / ない形 ＋ ことだ “Should” Used to convey rules or directions to be observed, it shows what should or should not be done. It is used with verbs that express intention and is often used in writing. Because of this, it should not be used towards your social superiors.
Day 21 - Ever just see some grammar points and they immediately leave your head?
～てならない 動て形・イ形くて・ナ形 - で ＋ ならない “Cannot help -ing; unbearably; irresistibly” The phrase expresses that a feeling is a natural outcome of a situation and indicates a state of mind/emotion that cannot be suppressed. It is used with words and phrases that for emotions e.g. 気がする, 思える, 感じられる, etc.
～ないではいられない・～ずにはいられない 動ない形 + ではいられない 動ない ＋ ずにはいられない 例外：する＝＞せず “Can’t not do something” It’s everyone’s favourite type of Japanese sentence pattern - the double negative. This is used to say that the subject does something spontaneously and cannot prevent themselves from doing it by willing themselves to. It has a strong positive meaning and is used with words that will show a person’s thoughts or feelings or actions related to emotions e.g. 泣く, 思う, 感動する, etc.
This is also relevant with Welsh names. Cymraeg (Welsh) is a language found in Wales that has been severely damaged by English colonialism. Currently the Welsh government have been combating the dying of this language by making Welsh language a compulsory subject in schools up until sixth form, when you can drop it. All the signs have Welsh translations and almost all radio broadcasts, announcements, and phone lines have a Welsh option.
There are villages in Wales that speak only Welsh as well, I grew up in one that was mixed language but pretty much everyone bar a few immigrant parents spoke Welsh.
Can Americans please not bring Irish Gaelic names into white names discourse?
Irish is the native language of Irish people. It’s an ancient language that is on the brink of extinction as a direct result of colonialism and cultural and physical genocide.
Names like Saoirse (freedom), Áine (radiant), Aoife (beautiful) etc are traditional Irish names. They’re spelt “funny” because Irish is a different language from English, and has some sounds that aren’t found in the English language.
It’s not the same thing as edgy white Americans naming their kid Kathylyn instead of Kathleen to try to be different
Also it’s not even called Irish Gaelic it’s called Gaeilge (gayl-ga) and is its own language, a beautiful one at that, fully encourage everyone interested in language revival to try learning it because we’re losing it rapidly and there’s not many Gaeilgeoirí (“gayl-gor-ee” ie: fluent speakers) left
Yes—this happens with Hebrew names all the time, too, and it’s really frustrating. No, the name Arielisn’t just a stupid Disney reference, it’s Hebrew. Toby isn’t “weird for a girl,” it’s common for Jewish girls because it’s Toiba in Yiddish. Asher isn’t a “trendy white name”—the influencer yummy mummy fucking stole it from us (which I hate). Believe me, I absolutely loathe those trendy made-up white people names like Bryzzley and Paedon, but keep in mind that there’s a difference between names you haven’t heard of because they belong to a different culture, and names some Mormon housewife made up by adding a bunch of Ys to a random noun.
Tumblr in particular is a very America centric site due to the majority of users being American so it’s understandable that this isn’t common knowledge, but it is still knowledge that exists and is valuable to learn.
sometimes i’m like what’s the point in learning japanese, why bother with another language, it’s so difficult and i can’t seem to find the motivation to pick up where i left
but then I listen to bump of chicken’s planetarium
Day 20 - The second point may seem simple - and it is - but I’ve included it because there is a slight nuance that I always forget about and wanted to include. Again, these two are from the same chapter of 新完全マスター, although I’m not 100% sure why.
～にこしたことはない 普通形現在 (ナ形だ - である・名だ - である) ＋ に越したことはない “It’s better to; you can never have too much” Indicates that a state or action that is desirable - the speaker is not saying that something must be done that way but is indicating that it is better. This is often for something that is considered to be common sense.
～というものだ 普通形 (ナ形だ・名だ) ＋ というものだ “That thing called; something like; something called” Gives a description or explanation of something that is based on common sense. This is not used with words that show the speaker’s emotions.
Day 19 - Another couple of points that I always remember exist but always forget the meaning of, especially if I see them in a text.
～とみえる 普通形 ＋ とみえる “It seems that” Because of some basis, the speaker believes something to be true, although this is conjecture. Often the speaker sees someone else’s situation and uses it as a guess, although they will not say who. It is not really used by young Japanese speakers anymore.
～に違いない・～に相違ない 普通形 (ナ形だ / - である・名だ / - である) ＋ に違いない・に相違ない “I’m sure; no doubt that” The speaker is fairly sure that something is true and this is based on some sort of evidence. It has a stronger degree of certainty than だろう. Used in formal language, it is usually written but に相違ない is the more formal of the two.
My biggestissues with Japanese colors is the fact that they can be either nouns or/and adjectives. In English, they are always adjectives which simplifies thingstremendously. In Japanese, though, depending on the syntax, you have to decidebetween the noun form or the adjective form.
There arefour basic colors which happen to bei-adjectivesandnouns. The rest of thecolors are nouns
Red 赤い あかい (adj) 赤 あか (nouns)
Blue 青い あおい 青 あお
Black 黒い くろい 車 くろ
White 白い しろい 白 しろ
There’salsoyellow(I’m not sure if that is a basic color tho)
黄色い きいろい 黄色 きいろ
The rest ofthe colors are nouns and they require the の particle
If you wantto say a red car, you can simply say赤い車 or 赤の車. Google alsosuggests 赤色の車。
So, withcolors that are nouns and adjectives, you have two alternatives.
There is another key difference between these forms.I-adjectives inherently contain the concept of “is”, which is why it is awkwardto say ”赤いだよ”, and more natural to say ”赤いよ”. Another wayto say this is that ”赤い” literally means “it is red” whereas ”赤” justmeans “red”.
This is important because if someoneasks you “好きな色は何ですか？” (Which color(s) do you like?), you should answerwith the noun forms. For example:
When you want to use the first construction, adjective + noun, then youcan use either the i-adjective or the noun form of a color. However, when thecolor is in its predicate function (placed after a verb) you can use only thenoun forms of colors.
Fortunately, the rule itself is without exception: when using primarycolors to modify a noun, use the i-adjective form; otherwise, use theno-adjective form.
reading: i am the avatar, capable of mastering all of the languages
writing: alright, yeah this isn’t so bad
listening: whoa there partner i sure would appreciate if you could you say that at half speed and repeat it a couple of times for me
speaking: let me practice this 3 word sentence 20 times in my head and look up each word in the dictionary and make sure i have all the right forms before i ever say it to another human being
Fun reminder: if you think you see a mistake in any of my posts, please message me! Especially for the grammar posts, I am very bad at grammar and am writing the sentences myself, so there’s a good chance that I am making some mistakes (I caught one on yesterday’s post this morning). Even if the sentences are correct, they may be awkward or better phrased with some other grammar and this is still useful to consider.
