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1500 questions
15
votes
2 answers
Haphazard usage of katakana and hiragana for particles and okurigana
I'm looking at this picture of the 日米和親条約 (Kanagawa convention) from the late Edo period and it seems rather strange:
It looks like the non-kanji parts are rather haphazardly written in katakana and hiragana. For example, the first part: 全権 ニテユカル…
ithisa
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15
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Why is debug デバッグ but bug is バグ?
I'm interested in why the extra small tsu in included in the word デバッグ but not バグ.
Are there any rules governing voicing in words formed via reduplication?
Lyman's rule may explain this, but does anyone know any more information on why the triple…
ishikun
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15
votes
4 answers
What is the difference between は and のは?
The following sentence means "seeing all the different foreign people was interesting."
This, according to my Japanese friends is incorrect:
色々な外国人を見ているは面白かった。
... and this is correct:
色々な外国人を見ているのは面白かった。
To me, the difference is so subtle that…
Questioner
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15
votes
3 answers
Is there a difference between すみません (sumimasen) and すいません (suimasen)?
My friend tells me one is more polite. I think they're the same. Who's right? When can I use one or the other?
crunchyt
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15
votes
2 answers
Difference between 間 and 間に
I have some problems with understanding what is the difference between these two. According to 初級日本語, 間 refers to certain time frame whereas 間に refers to certain time frame within that time frame. Is it correct or am I missing something?
szychy
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15
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2 answers
What is the difference between [利用]{りよう}, [活用]{かつよう}, [使用]{しよう} and [用]{もち}いる?
I feel 活用 has some kind of feeling of "put to the use", as a politician would use his charm in a campaign.
The other three seem confusing to me, however. What are the differences?
Daniel Safari
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15
votes
2 answers
Nuances between the different kanji spellings of あける：明ける vs. 開ける vs. 空ける
開ける, 明ける and 空ける are all read as あける.
From their kanji, it is obvious that 開ける has to do more with opening (a door etc), 明ける with dawning and 空ける with emptying...
However, JMDict gives the exact same senses for all three of them (in fact, lists them…
Dave
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15
votes
1 answer
Terms for Royalty
Why are there so many terms for royalty? And I'm talking about generic words like "king", "queen", etc. I seem to remember from my studies that certain terminology was used specifically for Japanese royalty, and other terms were used for foreign…
istrasci
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15
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2 answers
Origin of ~なければ ならない
The expression ~なければ ならない if I learned correctly means "must not not do ..." as in:
日本語を勉強しなければなりません。
You must not not learn Japanese. (i.e. you need to learn Japanese)
However, taken on face value it doesn't really make sense. しなければなりません translates…
ithisa
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15
votes
4 answers
How would I respectfully disagree with a superior?
If my manager says something that I know to be factually incorrect, how can I point that out without sounding disrespectful? (Is ~違います appropriate in this context or is that too strong?)
Is this a situation where I would use speech that is more…
Troyen
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15
votes
2 answers
Is there a difference between からすると and からして？
These two phrases seem to have very similar usage and I'm unable to determine the difference between them.
The examples I have are:
彼は服装からしてだらしない。きっと他の面も同じだろう。
kare ha fukusou karashite darashinai. kitto hoka no men mo onaji…
phirru
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15
votes
2 answers
What are good sources for streaming Japanese language television?
While learning Japanese I'd like to watch some Japanese television, whether it is children's programming, drama, or news.
I've found a few places online that allowed me to stream snippets, but nowhere to watch full shows. Is there a service similar…
jessecurry
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14
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3 answers
When is it appropriate to refer to yourself by これ?
I have occasionally heard and read instances, where a person has referred to themselves as これ. My Japanese dictionary also lists "Me, I." as a definition of これ.
Now, this obviously isn't used as frequently as 私, 僕, etc., so it makes me wonder: When…
Miguel
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14
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6 answers
What does イケメン mean?
I am in a Japanese 101 class. We are supposed to translate the following sentence:
日本ぶんかの先生は、イケメンですが、ぜんぜんやさしくないですから、あまり好きじゃありません。
I am having trouble with that word イケメン. So far, I have:
The Japanese culture professor is ______ but he/she is not…
Snowy Coder Girl
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14
votes
2 answers
What is the difference between ずに and ない-form?
My wife is studying for the JLPT exam, and came across the following question:
２時間、＿＿＿＿＿立って話しました。
She narrowed the choices down to:
すわらずに
すわらないと
Or another similar question:
あの花は５日に＿＿＿＿＿とさきません。
ならず
ならない
In both cases, the two answers seem…
Kobi
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