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+--- Thread: is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? (/thread-3028.html)
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - IceCream - 2009-10-19
Well, i don't mean word for word. But there's some things i say fairly often in English, so in those situations, it's what comes into my head instantly. Then i realise i don't know how to say them in Japanese.
Should i try to find equivalents in Japanese? Or, is it better to wait and let japanese phrases sink in more naturally? Whatdya think?
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - liosama - 2009-10-19
Well whenever I need an equivalent Japanese expression for an English expression I used at that instant, I ask my Japanese friend for an equivalent^^
But yeah, same boat as you
btw, do you say "BLAST!" or was that for an older generation of British?
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - sethg - 2009-10-19
I'd suggest against it. Or, if you're gonna do it, do some serious googling to see the phrases used in context.
My Japanese friend ran into a problem resulting from doing just this recently. HE looked up なるほど and assumed "Of course" was always a suitable replacement. So, when I'd teach him something new in English, he would say "Of course", which would make me think he already knew it.
Nuance is so important...
Sorry if this reply is sloppy. I can't concentrate too well. I'm watching Trick season 1
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - midwayplane - 2009-10-19
Those Guinness commercials got me saying "Brilliant!" as an interjection.
My girlfriend and I are on the last season of Trick. It's a great show. I definitely suggest seeing it.
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - vengeorgeb - 2009-10-20
IceCream Wrote:Well, i don't mean word for word. But there's some things i say fairly often in English, so in those situations, it's what comes into my head instantly. Then i realise i don't know how to say them in Japanese.I would like to see a compilation of these type of phrases, useful expressions, generally one-word only, not necessarily slang.
Should i try to find equivalents in Japanese? Or, is it better to wait and let japanese phrases sink in more naturally? Whatdya think?
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - coverup - 2009-10-20
Bad idea- let JP phrases sink in. All of your suspicions are probably correct.
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - vengeorgeb - 2009-10-20
But coverup, these phrases would be useful to SRS as well.
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - jcdietz03 - 2009-10-20
For phrases people say really often (in both languages), aren't there pairs?
For example, if you like saying "Good morning" (set phrase in both languages), use the one in Japanese appropriate to the politeness level.
I know people here don't like textbooks, but chapter 1 of any textbook will have a lot of common expressions. Expressions are the easiest thing to learn in any language.
It doesn't extend to idioms. Do not use English idioms in Japanese.
If you find yourself wanting to say something basic, learn how to say it and then say it. I didn't know how to say "I think so too" (an English phrase). The answer is 私もそう思います, the equivalent in Japanese. If you try "I don't think so," it has a certain nuance in English that it doesn't have in Japanese, I think. Most common phrases have equivalents in both languages.
is it a good idea to translate your most used expressions? - jerkwater - 2009-10-22
Maybe find something on this list that matches what you usually say:
http://www.languagerealm.com/japanese/japaneseidioms_ku.php
I have no idea how legit the source is for these. Just something I randomly found online.