The word とうとう can be used to express that an expected situation has occurred after an extended period of time. It's similar to ついに, although とうとう is less formal. It can be translated as "eventually", "in the end", "after all", or other similar meanings.
彼は、その数学の問題を何時間も考えたが、答えが分からなかったので、とうとうあきらめてしまった。
He thought about the math problem for hours, but in the end he gave up because he didn't understand the answer.
リーさんは毎日四時間に勉強して、とうとう合格出来たんだ。
Lee-san studied for four hours every day, and in the end he was able to pass the test.
１５年も飼っていた犬が、年を取ってとうとう死んでしまったので、とても悲しい。
I'm really sad, because the dog that I'd had for 15 years grew old and finally died.
大学のサッカーのチームに入りたかったけど、とうとう落とされてしまった。
I wanted to join the university soccer team, but I was rejected after all.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
たびに
The word たびに can be used after a word or phrase to express that every time X occurs, Y occurs alongside it. It's generally translated as "whenever", "each time", or "every time."
ポチは僕が大学に入る前はまだ子犬だったのに、休みに家に帰るたびに、どんどん大きくなっている。
Pochi was still a puppy before I went off to university, and so every time I come home on break, he's steadily gotten bigger.
スバル君とのデートするたびに、いつもうれしくなる。
Whenever I have a date with Subaru, I always get really happy.
私の大学のチームは試合に出るたびに、負けてしまう。もっと強くなってほしいなあ。
My university team loses whenever we participate in a match. I want us to get stronger.
アリスとモールに行くたびに、食べ過ぎて買い過ぎちゃう。
Every time I go to the mall with Alice, I end up eating and buying too much.
ポチは僕が大学に入る前はまだ子犬だったのに、休みに家に帰るたびに、どんどん大きくなっている。
Pochi was still a puppy before I went off to university, and so every time I come home on break, he's steadily gotten bigger.
スバル君とのデートするたびに、いつもうれしくなる。
Whenever I have a date with Subaru, I always get really happy.
私の大学のチームは試合に出るたびに、負けてしまう。もっと強くなってほしいなあ。
My university team loses whenever we participate in a match. I want us to get stronger.
アリスとモールに行くたびに、食べ過ぎて買い過ぎちゃう。
Every time I go to the mall with Alice, I end up eating and buying too much.
どんどん
どんどん is an onomatopoeic word that can have a couple definitions. Tobira states, "something that proceeds from one stage to another or continues to happen at a fast pace with no delay." With this in mind, it can mean things like "continuously" and "in succession", or it can also mean "steadily" and "rapidly."
地球温暖化のせいで、グリーンランドの氷がどんどん溶けているそうだ。
I hear that because of global warming, Greenland's ice is rapidly melting.
リーさんは怒って、ステファンの兄をどんどん打って、お金を取って出たんだ。
Lee-san grew angry, and he repeatedly punched Stefan's older brother, took the money, and left.
日食を見ているうちに、どんどん空が暗くなってきて、ついに真っ暗になってしまった。
While viewing a solar eclipse, the sky will steadily grow dark, and eventually it will become pitch black.
日本に来るから、私は食べ過ぎてどんどん太り始めたんだ。
Since coming to Japan, I've eaten too much and started to rapidly gain weight.
地球温暖化のせいで、グリーンランドの氷がどんどん溶けているそうだ。
I hear that because of global warming, Greenland's ice is rapidly melting.
リーさんは怒って、ステファンの兄をどんどん打って、お金を取って出たんだ。
Lee-san grew angry, and he repeatedly punched Stefan's older brother, took the money, and left.
日食を見ているうちに、どんどん空が暗くなってきて、ついに真っ暗になってしまった。
While viewing a solar eclipse, the sky will steadily grow dark, and eventually it will become pitch black.
日本に来るから、私は食べ過ぎてどんどん太り始めたんだ。
Since coming to Japan, I've eaten too much and started to rapidly gain weight.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
おかげ and せい
The words おかげ and せい are nouns that can both be used after a sentence or phrase to indicate the cause of something. おかげ is used for positive outcomes, and せい is used for negative ones. I like to translate おかげ as "thanks to", while せい sounds more natural as "because of" or "due to."
大学院で勉強できるのは、授業料を払ってくれる兄のおかげだ。
Me being able to study at grad school is all thanks to my older brother, who paid my tuition for me.
アヤトのおかげで、夜でビーチに行くことを恐れていない。
Thanks to Ayato, I'm no longer afraid of going to the beach at night.
ゆうべ飲みすぎたせいで、朝から頭がガンガンする。
My head is pounding this morning because I drank too much last night.
買った道具は安いせいで、速く壊れて、もっとを買わなくちゃな。
Because the tools I bought were cheap, they broke quickly and I had to buy more.
大学院で勉強できるのは、授業料を払ってくれる兄のおかげだ。
Me being able to study at grad school is all thanks to my older brother, who paid my tuition for me.
アヤトのおかげで、夜でビーチに行くことを恐れていない。
Thanks to Ayato, I'm no longer afraid of going to the beach at night.
ゆうべ飲みすぎたせいで、朝から頭がガンガンする。
My head is pounding this morning because I drank too much last night.
買った道具は安いせいで、速く壊れて、もっとを買わなくちゃな。
Because the tools I bought were cheap, they broke quickly and I had to buy more.
～ことは～ (が/けれど)
The sentence structure ～ことは～ (が/けれど) can be used when the speaker is admitting that a statement is true, but also wants to clarify it with additional remarks. I know the structure listed here looks really abstract, but the meaning is more apparent when reading example sentences.
作文を書いたことは書いたけれど、まだ間違いがたくさんあるから書き直さなくてはいけない。
While I did write my essay, it still has lots of mistakes, so I have to rewrite it.
私はテニスをすることはしますが、あまり上手じゃありません。
It's true that I play tennis, but I'm not very good at it.
このアパートは駅に近くて便利なことは便利だけれど、家賃がとても高いです。
This apartment is close to the station and convenient, but the rent is very expensive.
あの人は、いい人はいい人だけど、ちょっとがんこだね。
While he is a good person, he's also a little stubborn.
Now, it initially looks really weird to see the repetitive portions of these sentences, and I couldn't figure out what their purpose was. But after reading them a couple times, I figured out a good way of thinking about it.
Let's translate the first sentence literally. "As for writing my essay, I wrote it, but..." The second one would be, "As for me playing tennis, I do, but..." And hence we can better understand why we have that strange repetition.
作文を書いたことは書いたけれど、まだ間違いがたくさんあるから書き直さなくてはいけない。
While I did write my essay, it still has lots of mistakes, so I have to rewrite it.
私はテニスをすることはしますが、あまり上手じゃありません。
It's true that I play tennis, but I'm not very good at it.
このアパートは駅に近くて便利なことは便利だけれど、家賃がとても高いです。
This apartment is close to the station and convenient, but the rent is very expensive.
あの人は、いい人はいい人だけど、ちょっとがんこだね。
While he is a good person, he's also a little stubborn.
Now, it initially looks really weird to see the repetitive portions of these sentences, and I couldn't figure out what their purpose was. But after reading them a couple times, I figured out a good way of thinking about it.
Let's translate the first sentence literally. "As for writing my essay, I wrote it, but..." The second one would be, "As for me playing tennis, I do, but..." And hence we can better understand why we have that strange repetition.
Verb stem + 直す
A verb stem + 直す can be used to express the idea of re-doing something, or doing something again. It's often used with words like 書く and 読む to express re-doing something to get it right.
分からない時は、もう一度、読み直してみるといいですよ。
If you don't understand, you should try re-reading it one more time.
先生が作文はよくないと言っていたから、今書き直しなくちゃよ。
Sensei told me that my essay isn't good, so now I have to rewrite it.
今、ちょっと忙しくて、電話で話してられないから、後で私からかけ直してもいい？
I'm a little busy now and can't talk on the phone, so is it okay if I call you back later?
ミュージックのクラスの宿題をしながら、歌はあまり分かれないから、聞き直した。
While I was doing my homework for music class, I couldn't understand the song very well, so I listened to it again.
分からない時は、もう一度、読み直してみるといいですよ。
If you don't understand, you should try re-reading it one more time.
先生が作文はよくないと言っていたから、今書き直しなくちゃよ。
Sensei told me that my essay isn't good, so now I have to rewrite it.
今、ちょっと忙しくて、電話で話してられないから、後で私からかけ直してもいい？
I'm a little busy now and can't talk on the phone, so is it okay if I call you back later?
ミュージックのクラスの宿題をしながら、歌はあまり分かれないから、聞き直した。
While I was doing my homework for music class, I couldn't understand the song very well, so I listened to it again.
ますます
The word ますます can be used with verbs, adverbs, and the adverbial forms of adjectives to indicate that something is happening to an even greater (or lesser, if negative) degree than before. It often translates as something like "more and more" or "ever -er", depending on what it's used with.
Note that ますます cannot be used with "future controllable actions", as Tobira calls them. An example of such a sentence would be ますます頑張って下さい. The word もっともっと would be appropriate there instead.
漢字を覚えれば覚えるほど、単語の数がますます増えて、ますます日本語が分かるようになりますよ。
The more kanji you learn, the more the number of words increases, and you become more and more able to understand Japanese.
リーさんは毎日ジャネットと会い始めて、ますます嫌いになったんだ。
Lee-san began to meet with Janet every day, and he grew to hate her more and more.
歌の次にダンスが始まりました。すると、ますますたくさんの人が集まって来ました。
A dance started with the next song. Then, more and more people came and gathered.
田中がクラスにもう勉強しなかったから、クラスはますます難しくになったんだ。
Tanaka didn't study anymore for class, and so class became more and more difficult.
Note that ますます cannot be used with "future controllable actions", as Tobira calls them. An example of such a sentence would be ますます頑張って下さい. The word もっともっと would be appropriate there instead.
漢字を覚えれば覚えるほど、単語の数がますます増えて、ますます日本語が分かるようになりますよ。
The more kanji you learn, the more the number of words increases, and you become more and more able to understand Japanese.
リーさんは毎日ジャネットと会い始めて、ますます嫌いになったんだ。
Lee-san began to meet with Janet every day, and he grew to hate her more and more.
歌の次にダンスが始まりました。すると、ますますたくさんの人が集まって来ました。
A dance started with the next song. Then, more and more people came and gathered.
田中がクラスにもう勉強しなかったから、クラスはますます難しくになったんだ。
Tanaka didn't study anymore for class, and so class became more and more difficult.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
点
Much like in English, the word 点 which can refer to points (like on a test) can also mean "point" in the sense of a fact, idea, or opinion in a discussion. It doesn't necessarily have to be used in a discussion-related context, as it can also mean "aspect" or just "matter."
この留学プログラムは、ホームステイが出来るという点が、セールスポイントですね。
The selling point for this study abroad program is the fact that you can do a homestay.
ジムが猫より犬のほうがいいと思う点が、嫌いの理性だよ。
The fact that Jim thinks dogs are better than cats is the reason I dislike him.
点に行かなくても買い物が出来るという点が、ネットショッピングに人気がある点です。
The fact that you can do shopping without even going to a store is a very popular point for online shopping.
この数学の点について、教えてくれますか？
Could you teach me about this point of math?
この留学プログラムは、ホームステイが出来るという点が、セールスポイントですね。
The selling point for this study abroad program is the fact that you can do a homestay.
ジムが猫より犬のほうがいいと思う点が、嫌いの理性だよ。
The fact that Jim thinks dogs are better than cats is the reason I dislike him.
点に行かなくても買い物が出来るという点が、ネットショッピングに人気がある点です。
The fact that you can do shopping without even going to a store is a very popular point for online shopping.
この数学の点について、教えてくれますか？
Could you teach me about this point of math?
はず
The word はず can be used after a phrase or sentence to express that you expect something to be the case, based on your knowledge or memory of the subject. It can translate as "supposed to", "should", "I expect that" or "I believe that..."
It can be negated in two ways: ないはず or はずがない. The negation sounds stronger with the latter, and can also mean that something is inconceivable.
あの映画は面白いはずだよ。映画専攻の友達が３回も観たって言ってたから。
That movie's supposed to be interesting. My friend who studies movies said he'd seen it three times.
リーさんが毎日納豆を食べられるなら、賞金を取るはずってんだよ。
Lee-san said that if you can eat natto every day, you're supposed to win a prize.
今月の家賃を払ったはずなのに、大家さんにまだもらっていないと言われた。変だなあ。
Even though I believe I paid the rent for this month, the landlord told me they still haven't gotten it. It's strange.
おやつとかジュースとか持ったから、赤ちゃんは大丈夫はずだよ。
I brought things like snacks and juice, so the baby should be fine.
It can be negated in two ways: ないはず or はずがない. The negation sounds stronger with the latter, and can also mean that something is inconceivable.
あの映画は面白いはずだよ。映画専攻の友達が３回も観たって言ってたから。
That movie's supposed to be interesting. My friend who studies movies said he'd seen it three times.
リーさんが毎日納豆を食べられるなら、賞金を取るはずってんだよ。
Lee-san said that if you can eat natto every day, you're supposed to win a prize.
今月の家賃を払ったはずなのに、大家さんにまだもらっていないと言われた。変だなあ。
Even though I believe I paid the rent for this month, the landlord told me they still haven't gotten it. It's strange.
おやつとかジュースとか持ったから、赤ちゃんは大丈夫はずだよ。
I brought things like snacks and juice, so the baby should be fine.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
逆～
逆 is a word that means reverse or opposite, and can be used with nouns or verbs to indicate "the opposite of [noun]" or "doing [verb] in the opposite way." It can also be used to convey that something is contrary to your expectations.
私と両親の考えはいつも逆だ。どうしてこんなに意見が違うのだろう。
My parents and I's thoughts are always the opposite. I wonder why our views differ so much.
カナトが林に走って、家に帰ってみたら、逆の方向に行ってしまったんだ。
Kanato ran into the woods, and when he tried to come home, he went the wrong direction.
一方通行の道だということを知らないで、逆の方向に進んでしまい、警察につかまってしまった。
Without knowing it was a one-way street, I went forward in the wrong direction, and I was caught by the police.
リーさんとアリスの性格はとても逆だな。彼は意地悪な人だけど、彼女は優しいよ。
Lee-san and Alice have opposite personalities. He's an ill-tempered person, while she's so nice.
私と両親の考えはいつも逆だ。どうしてこんなに意見が違うのだろう。
My parents and I's thoughts are always the opposite. I wonder why our views differ so much.
カナトが林に走って、家に帰ってみたら、逆の方向に行ってしまったんだ。
Kanato ran into the woods, and when he tried to come home, he went the wrong direction.
一方通行の道だということを知らないで、逆の方向に進んでしまい、警察につかまってしまった。
Without knowing it was a one-way street, I went forward in the wrong direction, and I was caught by the police.
リーさんとアリスの性格はとても逆だな。彼は意地悪な人だけど、彼女は優しいよ。
Lee-san and Alice have opposite personalities. He's an ill-tempered person, while she's so nice.
中心 (と/に) する
A noun + を中心 (と/に) する can be used to express that the noun is the center or focus of something. The phrase is generally used to modify nouns or verbs, and it translates as something like "centered around" or "focused on."
地球や火星、木星、金星などの惑星は、太陽を中心として回っている。
The Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and the other plants revolve with the sun at the center.
宗教に熱心な信者は、宗教活動を中心に生活をしている。
Deeply religious people live their lives centered around religious activities.
台風が近づいているため、九州を中心に大雨が降っている。
Since there's a typhoon approaching, there's heavy rain centered at Kyuushuu.
私は、最近、日本の若者言葉を中心した言葉の研究をしています。
Lately, I've been doing research on speech that's focused on slang.
地球や火星、木星、金星などの惑星は、太陽を中心として回っている。
The Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and the other plants revolve with the sun at the center.
宗教に熱心な信者は、宗教活動を中心に生活をしている。
Deeply religious people live their lives centered around religious activities.
台風が近づいているため、九州を中心に大雨が降っている。
Since there's a typhoon approaching, there's heavy rain centered at Kyuushuu.
私は、最近、日本の若者言葉を中心した言葉の研究をしています。
Lately, I've been doing research on speech that's focused on slang.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
～ば～ほど
The grammar pattern [verb ば ... ほど] can be used to express the Japanese equivalent of the English "the more... the more..." I.e., "the more things change, the more they stay the same."
運動すれば(運動)するほど、健康になれるし、やせられるから、運動は一石二鳥ですね。
The more you exercise, the healthier you can become, and since you can lose weight, exercise kills two birds with one stone.
リーさんは食べれば食べるほど、やせるんだよね。
The more Lee-san eats, the thinner he becomes.
親が立派であればあるほど、子供はプレッシャを感じてしまうようだ。
It seems like the more prominent the parents are, the more their kids feel pressure.
アヤトに見れば見るほど、かっこういいなぁ。
The more I look at Ayato, the more handsome he becomes.
運動すれば(運動)するほど、健康になれるし、やせられるから、運動は一石二鳥ですね。
The more you exercise, the healthier you can become, and since you can lose weight, exercise kills two birds with one stone.
リーさんは食べれば食べるほど、やせるんだよね。
The more Lee-san eats, the thinner he becomes.
親が立派であればあるほど、子供はプレッシャを感じてしまうようだ。
It seems like the more prominent the parents are, the more their kids feel pressure.
アヤトに見れば見るほど、かっこういいなぁ。
The more I look at Ayato, the more handsome he becomes.
さて
The word さて can be used at the beginning of a sentence to signal a new topic, to ask a question about the info that was provided, or to state that the speaker is leaving. It often translates as "well now" or "now then", and it's not used in casual speech.
さて、もう遅いですから、今日はこれで失礼します。
Now then, since it's already late, I'll be leaving for today.
リーさんはナイフを持って、アリスは斧を持つんだ。さて、誰が勝つと思う？
Lee-san has a knife, and Alice has an axe. Now then, who do you think will win?
今、観たビデオから、文楽や歌舞伎は江戸時代に一般の人々にも広がったということが分かります。さて、次に紹介するのは、これも江戸時代に一般の人にも楽しまれるようになった茶道です。
Now, from the video we watched, we see that during the Edo period, bunraku and kabuki even spread to the general public. Now then, our next presentation is on the tea ceremony, which also became something that was enjoyed by the general public during the Edo period.
この本はピンクで、その本は緑です。さて、どちら赤ちゃんが好きですか？
This book is pink, and that one is green. Now then, which one will the baby prefer?
さて、もう遅いですから、今日はこれで失礼します。
Now then, since it's already late, I'll be leaving for today.
リーさんはナイフを持って、アリスは斧を持つんだ。さて、誰が勝つと思う？
Lee-san has a knife, and Alice has an axe. Now then, who do you think will win?
今、観たビデオから、文楽や歌舞伎は江戸時代に一般の人々にも広がったということが分かります。さて、次に紹介するのは、これも江戸時代に一般の人にも楽しまれるようになった茶道です。
Now, from the video we watched, we see that during the Edo period, bunraku and kabuki even spread to the general public. Now then, our next presentation is on the tea ceremony, which also became something that was enjoyed by the general public during the Edo period.
この本はピンクで、その本は緑です。さて、どちら赤ちゃんが好きですか？
This book is pink, and that one is green. Now then, which one will the baby prefer?
Saturday, February 17, 2018
通りに
The word 通り can be directly modified by a verb or noun to express something like "the way", or "as X indicates." It can also be directly attached to nouns as a suffix, in which case it's read as どおり. Depending on the situation, it can mean things such as "according to", "following", or "like."
母が教えてくれた通りに作ったら、おいしいケーキができた。
If I made it the way my mom taught me, I had delicious cake.
本の指示通りに、完璧な彫刻を作ったんだわ。
Following the book's instructions, I made a perfect sculpture.
日本のファミリーレストランの店員は、みんなマニュアルの通りに話すから、ロボットみたいだ。
Employees at Japanese family restaurants can sound like robots because of the way they all speak manually.
リーさんは通りに踊ったら、先輩に笑われるんだよ。
If you dance the way Lee-san does, you'll get laughed at by senpai.
母が教えてくれた通りに作ったら、おいしいケーキができた。
If I made it the way my mom taught me, I had delicious cake.
本の指示通りに、完璧な彫刻を作ったんだわ。
Following the book's instructions, I made a perfect sculpture.
日本のファミリーレストランの店員は、みんなマニュアルの通りに話すから、ロボットみたいだ。
Employees at Japanese family restaurants can sound like robots because of the way they all speak manually.
リーさんは通りに踊ったら、先輩に笑われるんだよ。
If you dance the way Lee-san does, you'll get laughed at by senpai.
すると
Two sentences can be joined by すると to express certain relations to one another:
1. The action in Sentence 1 causes what is said in Sentence 2
2. The action in Sentence 1 leads to the discovery of what's said in Sentence 2
3. From the info implied in Sentence 1, the speaker confirms that Sentence 2 is the case
It can be read as something like "then" or "thereupon", which makes sense in almost all of the instances I've seen it (since it's generally very common).
このアイコンをクリックして下さい。すると、コンピュータの画面の文字が大きくなります。
Please click on this icon. Then, the text on the computer screen will become larger.
メアリーは部屋に入ってすると、そこで小さいの男の子を見つけたんだ。
Upon entering the room, Mary found a small little boy there.
Ａ：田中さんは、明日の会議に出られないそうですよ。
Ｂ：すると、誰か他の人が出なくてはいけないということですね。
A: I hear that Tanaka-san can't attend tomorrow's meeting.
B: Then, that means someone else will have to attend.
リーさんはドアを開けてすると、子猫とねずみが遊んでいるのが見える。
Upon opening the door, Lee-san saw the kitten and the mouse playing.
1. The action in Sentence 1 causes what is said in Sentence 2
2. The action in Sentence 1 leads to the discovery of what's said in Sentence 2
3. From the info implied in Sentence 1, the speaker confirms that Sentence 2 is the case
It can be read as something like "then" or "thereupon", which makes sense in almost all of the instances I've seen it (since it's generally very common).
このアイコンをクリックして下さい。すると、コンピュータの画面の文字が大きくなります。
Please click on this icon. Then, the text on the computer screen will become larger.
メアリーは部屋に入ってすると、そこで小さいの男の子を見つけたんだ。
Upon entering the room, Mary found a small little boy there.
Ａ：田中さんは、明日の会議に出られないそうですよ。
Ｂ：すると、誰か他の人が出なくてはいけないということですね。
A: I hear that Tanaka-san can't attend tomorrow's meeting.
B: Then, that means someone else will have to attend.
リーさんはドアを開けてすると、子猫とねずみが遊んでいるのが見える。
Upon opening the door, Lee-san saw the kitten and the mouse playing.
Friday, February 16, 2018
によって
The phrase (こと) によって can be used to indicate the cause, the means, or the agent in passive sentences, according to Tobira. In other words, it provides a meaning of "due to", "because of", "by means of", and similar equivalent phrases.
ハイブリッドの車が増えたことによって、町の空気がきれいになってきました。
Due to the increase in hybrid cars, the atmosphere in towns has grown to become cleaner.
インタネットで調べることによって世界中で今起こっていることを知ることが出来る。
By searching on the internet, you can be aware of all the events occurring throughout the world right now.
言葉は、話したり読んだり書いたりすることによって学んでいくのです。
You can grow to learn a language by doing things like speaking, reading, and writing.
万有引力の法則はニュートンによって発見されました。
The law of universal gravitation was discovered by Newton.
ハイブリッドの車が増えたことによって、町の空気がきれいになってきました。
Due to the increase in hybrid cars, the atmosphere in towns has grown to become cleaner.
インタネットで調べることによって世界中で今起こっていることを知ることが出来る。
By searching on the internet, you can be aware of all the events occurring throughout the world right now.
言葉は、話したり読んだり書いたりすることによって学んでいくのです。
You can grow to learn a language by doing things like speaking, reading, and writing.
万有引力の法則はニュートンによって発見されました。
The law of universal gravitation was discovered by Newton.
関係がある
Noun 1 は + Noun 2 と/に 関係がある can be used to express that Noun 1 is related to or has something to do with Noun 2. Either と or に can be used after Noun 2. In relative clauses, の is often used in place of が in the がある portion.
授業に関係のない質問はしないようにしましょう。
Let's try to make sure that we don't ask questions that are not related to class.
この間見つけたフォンはマリアの蒸発に関係があると思う。
I think the phone I found the other day has something to do with Maria's disappearance.
そのトピックに関係のある本はこの列にありますよ。
Books related to that topic are in this row.
大学の図書館と関係のある知らせは郵便ポストで見つかれるんよ。
Information relating to the university library can be found in your mailbox.
授業に関係のない質問はしないようにしましょう。
Let's try to make sure that we don't ask questions that are not related to class.
この間見つけたフォンはマリアの蒸発に関係があると思う。
I think the phone I found the other day has something to do with Maria's disappearance.
そのトピックに関係のある本はこの列にありますよ。
Books related to that topic are in this row.
大学の図書館と関係のある知らせは郵便ポストで見つかれるんよ。
Information relating to the university library can be found in your mailbox.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
わけじゃない
The structure (という) わけじゃない (or ではない) can be used to deny a statement, with meanings like "It doesn't mean that" or "it's not that..."
漢字が苦手だと言っても、全然書けないわけではない。
Even if you say you're bad with kanji, that doesn't mean that you'll never be able to write them.
試験の点がよければいい成績が取れるというわけではない。宿題やプロジェクトも大切だ。
Doing well on tests doesn't mean you'll be able to get a good grade. Homework and projects are important too.
この料理はまずいわけではないけど、油が多いから、あまり食べられない。
It's not that this cooking is bad, but since there's a lot of oil, I can't eat that much.
あの人が嫌いなわけではないんですが、デートしたいとは思いません。
It's not that I hate that person, but I don't think I want to go on a date with them.
漢字が苦手だと言っても、全然書けないわけではない。
Even if you say you're bad with kanji, that doesn't mean that you'll never be able to write them.
試験の点がよければいい成績が取れるというわけではない。宿題やプロジェクトも大切だ。
Doing well on tests doesn't mean you'll be able to get a good grade. Homework and projects are important too.
この料理はまずいわけではないけど、油が多いから、あまり食べられない。
It's not that this cooking is bad, but since there's a lot of oil, I can't eat that much.
あの人が嫌いなわけではないんですが、デートしたいとは思いません。
It's not that I hate that person, but I don't think I want to go on a date with them.
Contracted Forms
There are commonly contracted forms that are used in casual speech in Japanese. I'm familiar with several of them, but Tobira listed a couple that I haven't seen as frequently, or that I haven't seen altogether.
ておく = とく
てあげる = たげる
ておいてあげる = といたげる
友達を空港まで送ったげなきゃいけないから、明日は、早く起きなくちゃ。
I've gotta take my friend to the airport, so I've gotta wake up early tomorrow.
先生の言ったこと、ノートに書いとかないと、忘れちゃうよ。
If I don't write down what the teacher says in my notebook, I forget.
飲み物、買っといたから、何も持って来なくていいよ。
I bought some drinks, so you don't gotta bring anything.
私も宿題を出しに行かなくちゃ行けないから、マイクの宿題も出しといたげる。
Since I've gotta go turn in my homework, I'll turn in Mike's for him too.
ておく = とく
てあげる = たげる
ておいてあげる = といたげる
友達を空港まで送ったげなきゃいけないから、明日は、早く起きなくちゃ。
I've gotta take my friend to the airport, so I've gotta wake up early tomorrow.
先生の言ったこと、ノートに書いとかないと、忘れちゃうよ。
If I don't write down what the teacher says in my notebook, I forget.
飲み物、買っといたから、何も持って来なくていいよ。
I bought some drinks, so you don't gotta bring anything.
私も宿題を出しに行かなくちゃ行けないから、マイクの宿題も出しといたげる。
Since I've gotta go turn in my homework, I'll turn in Mike's for him too.
Friday, February 9, 2018
くせに
The word くせに can be used similarly to のに to express things like "even though", "in spite of", "and yet", and "although." It's a stronger word and tends to express frustration or disagreement with the situation. It can only be used in sentences that maintain the same subject throughout them - not in sentences where the subject changes after the くせに portion.
兄は自分で料理しないくせに、いつも私の作ったものに文句を言う。
My older brother doesn't cook for himself, and yet he always complains about the things I make.
リーさんは数学がきらいってくせに、クラスのあとで数学のクラブに行くんだよ。
Lee-san says he hates math, and yet after class he goes to the math club.
姉は怖くて夜眠れなくなるくせに、ホラムービーばかり見ている。
My older sister is scared and can't sleep at night, and yet horror movies are all she watches.
クリスはお金がないってくせに、この間新しいパソコンを買ってしまったんだ。
Chris says he has no money, and yet the other day he bought a new PC.
兄は自分で料理しないくせに、いつも私の作ったものに文句を言う。
My older brother doesn't cook for himself, and yet he always complains about the things I make.
リーさんは数学がきらいってくせに、クラスのあとで数学のクラブに行くんだよ。
Lee-san says he hates math, and yet after class he goes to the math club.
姉は怖くて夜眠れなくなるくせに、ホラムービーばかり見ている。
My older sister is scared and can't sleep at night, and yet horror movies are all she watches.
クリスはお金がないってくせに、この間新しいパソコンを買ってしまったんだ。
Chris says he has no money, and yet the other day he bought a new PC.
Noun + Onomatopoeia + する
We use onomatopoeia so little in English, but they're painfully prevalent in everyday Japanese language. I say painfully because they're extremely difficult to memorize, seeing as many of them have nothing that would clue you in to the meaning, other than obvious ones like どきどき.
Anyway, a noun が + onomatopoeia + する can be used to describe your physical/psychological state, or the way something looks or feels. It basically translates to "is" with the onomatopoeia being an equivalent adjective or verb in English.
机がガタガタして、書きにくい。
The desk is rickety, so it's difficult to write.
アヤト見ると、心がドキドキする。
Whenever I see Ayato, my heart races.
歯がシクシクする。歯医者に行かなきゃなんないけど、いやだなあ。
My tooth is throbbing. I've gotta go to the dentist, but it suuucks.
シュウの目がキラキラして、きれいだね。
Shuu's eyes are glittering, they're so beautiful.
Anyway, a noun が + onomatopoeia + する can be used to describe your physical/psychological state, or the way something looks or feels. It basically translates to "is" with the onomatopoeia being an equivalent adjective or verb in English.
机がガタガタして、書きにくい。
The desk is rickety, so it's difficult to write.
アヤト見ると、心がドキドキする。
Whenever I see Ayato, my heart races.
歯がシクシクする。歯医者に行かなきゃなんないけど、いやだなあ。
My tooth is throbbing. I've gotta go to the dentist, but it suuucks.
シュウの目がキラキラして、きれいだね。
Shuu's eyes are glittering, they're so beautiful.
Thursday, February 8, 2018
としたら
A sentence + とする can be used to present a situation translated roughly as "Suppose that..." So if we take a sentence + としたら (which is する in its "if" form), it translates as "If we suppose that..." It can be used for presenting hypothetical scenarios. To make it even clearer that the situation is hypothetical, you can add もし to the beginning of the sentence.
もしタイムマシーンがあるとしたら、どの時代に行って、誰に会ってみたいですか？
If you had a time machine, what time period would you go to, and who would you want to meet?
動物になるとしたら、一日中に寝たいから、猫になりたいんだよ。
If I were to become an animal, I'd want to sleep all day, so I'd want to be a cat.
これらの辞書の中で、もしどれか一つを選ぶとしたら、やはり電子辞書にするだろう。
Of these dictionaries, if I were to choose one, I would probably go with the electronic one.
トムの彼女は優しくない人から、別れるとしたら、私はうれしくになるよね。
Tom's girlfriend is not a nice person, so if they were to break up, I would be happy.
もしタイムマシーンがあるとしたら、どの時代に行って、誰に会ってみたいですか？
If you had a time machine, what time period would you go to, and who would you want to meet?
動物になるとしたら、一日中に寝たいから、猫になりたいんだよ。
If I were to become an animal, I'd want to sleep all day, so I'd want to be a cat.
これらの辞書の中で、もしどれか一つを選ぶとしたら、やはり電子辞書にするだろう。
Of these dictionaries, if I were to choose one, I would probably go with the electronic one.
トムの彼女は優しくない人から、別れるとしたら、私はうれしくになるよね。
Tom's girlfriend is not a nice person, so if they were to break up, I would be happy.
傾向がある
The phrase 傾向がある (or 見られる) can be used to express "There is a tendency to..." with the previous portion of the sentence describing that tendency.
日本の学生は高校まではよく勉強するが、大学に入ってからはあまり勉強しない傾向がある。
Japanese students have a tendency to study a lot up through high school, and then once they enter college, not study very much.
リーさんは週末に食べ過ぎるという傾向があるんだ。
Lee-san tends to eat too much on weekends.
初めにくだけた話し方で日本語を覚えてしまった人は、助詞をよく間違える傾向がある。
People who are first learning how to speak casual Japanese have a tendency to confuse particles.
もどかしくになって時、たくさんのチョコレートやジャンクフードを食べるという傾向があるよ。
When I get irritated, I have a tendency to eat a lot of chocolate and junk food.
日本の学生は高校まではよく勉強するが、大学に入ってからはあまり勉強しない傾向がある。
Japanese students have a tendency to study a lot up through high school, and then once they enter college, not study very much.
リーさんは週末に食べ過ぎるという傾向があるんだ。
Lee-san tends to eat too much on weekends.
初めにくだけた話し方で日本語を覚えてしまった人は、助詞をよく間違える傾向がある。
People who are first learning how to speak casual Japanese have a tendency to confuse particles.
もどかしくになって時、たくさんのチョコレートやジャンクフードを食べるという傾向があるよ。
When I get irritated, I have a tendency to eat a lot of chocolate and junk food.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
ということになる
A sentence + (という) ことになる can be used to express that the situation stated earlier in the sentence leads to another situation or logical conclusion. It can be translated as "X means that..." or "With X, we end up with..."
メールが戻って来たということは、このアドレスはもう使われていないということになる。
The fact that mail was returned means that this address is no longer being used.
家賃があがったので、引っ越さなければならないことになってしまった。
Since the rent was raised, I now have to move.
今のうちに勉強しておかないと、後で卒業できないということになるかもしれない。
If you don't start studying, you may not be able to graduate later.
メールが戻って来たということは、このアドレスはもう使われていないということになる。
The fact that mail was returned means that this address is no longer being used.
家賃があがったので、引っ越さなければならないことになってしまった。
Since the rent was raised, I now have to move.
今のうちに勉強しておかないと、後で卒業できないということになるかもしれない。
If you don't start studying, you may not be able to graduate later.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
X は Yに当たる
The construct X は Yに当たる can be used to express "X corresponds to Y" or "X is equivalent to Y." It's often used to compare words across different languages, organizations, sectors, etc.
日本の環境省はアメリカの Environmental Protection Agency に当たる。
Japan's Ministry of the Environment is equivalent to America's EPA.
日本語の「いただきます」や「ごちそうさま」に当たる言葉は英語にはない。
There is no equivalent in English to the Japanese phrases いただきます and ごちそうさま.
彼女は私の母の姉の娘ですから、私のいとこに当たります。
She is my mom's sister's daughter, so that makes her my cousin.
英語の president に当たる言葉は、日本語の場合、会社では「社長」、大学では「学長」、米国政府では「大統領」です。呼び方が違うので気をつけて下さい。
As for words equivalent to the English word "president", in the case of Japan, for a company it would be 社長, for a university it would be 学長, and for the US president it would be 大統領. Please take note since what you call them differs.
日本の環境省はアメリカの Environmental Protection Agency に当たる。
Japan's Ministry of the Environment is equivalent to America's EPA.
日本語の「いただきます」や「ごちそうさま」に当たる言葉は英語にはない。
There is no equivalent in English to the Japanese phrases いただきます and ごちそうさま.
彼女は私の母の姉の娘ですから、私のいとこに当たります。
She is my mom's sister's daughter, so that makes her my cousin.
英語の president に当たる言葉は、日本語の場合、会社では「社長」、大学では「学長」、米国政府では「大統領」です。呼び方が違うので気をつけて下さい。
As for words equivalent to the English word "president", in the case of Japan, for a company it would be 社長, for a university it would be 学長, and for the US president it would be 大統領. Please take note since what you call them differs.
ない～はない
The construct [X] ない ... [Y]はない is used to mean something like "There is no X which does not/is not Y. It's essentially stating that all X's are Y.
このクラスには、宿題をしない学生はいない。休む時に、先生に連絡しない学生もいない。
In this class, there is no student who doesn't do the homework. And when absent, there is no student who doesn't contact the teacher.
しないおとめはない。
There's no otome that I won't play.
酸素や水を必要としない生物は地球にはいない。
There is no living thing on the earth that does not need oxygen and water.
私のトキという猫に買わないおもちゃはない。
There's no toy that I won't buy for my kitty Toki.
このクラスには、宿題をしない学生はいない。休む時に、先生に連絡しない学生もいない。
In this class, there is no student who doesn't do the homework. And when absent, there is no student who doesn't contact the teacher.
しないおとめはない。
There's no otome that I won't play.
酸素や水を必要としない生物は地球にはいない。
There is no living thing on the earth that does not need oxygen and water.
私のトキという猫に買わないおもちゃはない。
There's no toy that I won't buy for my kitty Toki.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Verb Stem + 出す
The verb 出す can be added to the stem of another verb to mean one of two things.
1. Someone makes something available or accessible that was not available or accessible before (perhaps because it didn't exist, or perhaps for other reasons).
2. Something begins or starts. This differs from 始める in that 始める can be used for things that are volitional, while 出す cannot. On the other side, 出す can be used for actions that begin abruptly, while 始める cannot.
赤ちゃんが泣き出したので、お母さんは急いでミルクをあげた。
The baby started crying, so the mom hurriedly gave it some milk.
田中がトムの弟を打ってと、叫び出してしまったんだ。
When Tanaka punched Tom's little brother, he started screaming at him.
図書館で１時間ぐらいかかって、ついにその本を探し出した時は、うれしかった。
It took about an hour at the library, but when I finally tracked down that book, I was thrilled.
この間、先週メアリーがしくじったということ見つけ出したんだよね。
The other day, I found out that Mary got fired last week.
1. Someone makes something available or accessible that was not available or accessible before (perhaps because it didn't exist, or perhaps for other reasons).
2. Something begins or starts. This differs from 始める in that 始める can be used for things that are volitional, while 出す cannot. On the other side, 出す can be used for actions that begin abruptly, while 始める cannot.
赤ちゃんが泣き出したので、お母さんは急いでミルクをあげた。
The baby started crying, so the mom hurriedly gave it some milk.
田中がトムの弟を打ってと、叫び出してしまったんだ。
When Tanaka punched Tom's little brother, he started screaming at him.
図書館で１時間ぐらいかかって、ついにその本を探し出した時は、うれしかった。
It took about an hour at the library, but when I finally tracked down that book, I was thrilled.
この間、先週メアリーがしくじったということ見つけ出したんだよね。
The other day, I found out that Mary got fired last week.
である
である is the formal plain form of だ and is generally reserved for formal writing and speech. It can be used just like だ after nouns and na-adjectives. Its forms are:
である - formal plain affirmative
ではない - formal plain negative
であります - formal polite affirmative
ではありません - formal polite negative
It helps to remember that the two positive forms are simply like だ, and the two negative forms are simply like じゃない. These forms can occur in relative clauses before nouns, while だ cannot.
哲学者のパスカルは、人間は考える葦であると言った。
Philosopher Pascal once said that man is a thinking reed.
こんなにたくさんの人が読んでいるのだから、面白い本であるに違いない。
Since so many people are reading it, it must be an interesting book.
あの話は本当ではないと言われていたが、最近、本当だということが分かった。
I was told that that story wasn't true, but recently, I found out that it is true.
新型ではないケータイを使っているので、ケータイでＥメールが出来ない。
I'm not using a new model phone, so I can't send emails with it.
である - formal plain affirmative
ではない - formal plain negative
であります - formal polite affirmative
ではありません - formal polite negative
It helps to remember that the two positive forms are simply like だ, and the two negative forms are simply like じゃない. These forms can occur in relative clauses before nouns, while だ cannot.
哲学者のパスカルは、人間は考える葦であると言った。
Philosopher Pascal once said that man is a thinking reed.
こんなにたくさんの人が読んでいるのだから、面白い本であるに違いない。
Since so many people are reading it, it must be an interesting book.
あの話は本当ではないと言われていたが、最近、本当だということが分かった。
I was told that that story wasn't true, but recently, I found out that it is true.
新型ではないケータイを使っているので、ケータイでＥメールが出来ない。
I'm not using a new model phone, so I can't send emails with it.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
More on さえ
When さえ is used in non-conditional clauses, it translates as "even." Compare this to its usage with conditional verbs, where it generally means "if only." It does not occur alongside the particle が, を is usually not used with it, and the particles へ and に can optionally be used with it. All other particles are mandatory.
私は旅行が大好きで世界中を旅行した。南極へさえ行ったことがある。
I love traveling, and I've traveled throughout the world. I've even been to Antarctica.
アリスはリーさんが大好きだね。クリスマスに車さえ買ったんだ。
Alice really loves Lee-san. She even bought him a car for Christmas.
会議には世界中から人々が集まった。一番遠いロシアからさえ参加者があった。
People from around the world gathered at the conference. There were even participants from as far as Russia.
鍵を探しながら、古い財布を見つけて、１０ドルさえ見つけたんだ。
While I was looking for my keys, I found my old wallet, and even found $10.
私は旅行が大好きで世界中を旅行した。南極へさえ行ったことがある。
I love traveling, and I've traveled throughout the world. I've even been to Antarctica.
アリスはリーさんが大好きだね。クリスマスに車さえ買ったんだ。
Alice really loves Lee-san. She even bought him a car for Christmas.
会議には世界中から人々が集まった。一番遠いロシアからさえ参加者があった。
People from around the world gathered at the conference. There were even participants from as far as Russia.
鍵を探しながら、古い財布を見つけて、１０ドルさえ見つけたんだ。
While I was looking for my keys, I found my old wallet, and even found $10.
それでは
The phrases それでは and では (the abbreviated form) can be used at the beginning of a sentence to express something like "if that's the case", with "that" referring to a previous statement. They're typically used in formal or written language, while それじゃ and じゃ are used in spoken language. Other definitions include "if so" or simply "well then."
日本のオタク文化は世界中に広がり、日本を代表する文化の一つになったという人もいる。では、オタク文化がこのように世界に広がった理由は何だろうか？
There are people who say that Japanese otaku culture has spread throughout the world and become one of Japan's representative cultures. So, what do you think the reason is that otaku culture has spread like this throughout the world?
A: 先生、すみません。実は、金曜日に就職のための面接があって、クラスを休まなくてはいけないので、試験が受けられないんですが。
B: そうですか。じゃ、前の日の木曜日に、研究室に受けに来て下さい。
A: はい。それでは、木曜日の先生のオフィスアワーに研究室にうかがいます。
A: Excuse me, sensei. I actually have a job interview on Friday, so since I have to miss class that day, I won't be able to take the test...
B: Is that so? In that case, on Thursday, the day before, please come to my office to take it.
A: Sure. Then, I'll come to your office during office hours on Thursday.
日本のオタク文化は世界中に広がり、日本を代表する文化の一つになったという人もいる。では、オタク文化がこのように世界に広がった理由は何だろうか？
There are people who say that Japanese otaku culture has spread throughout the world and become one of Japan's representative cultures. So, what do you think the reason is that otaku culture has spread like this throughout the world?
A: 先生、すみません。実は、金曜日に就職のための面接があって、クラスを休まなくてはいけないので、試験が受けられないんですが。
B: そうですか。じゃ、前の日の木曜日に、研究室に受けに来て下さい。
A: はい。それでは、木曜日の先生のオフィスアワーに研究室にうかがいます。
A: Excuse me, sensei. I actually have a job interview on Friday, so since I have to miss class that day, I won't be able to take the test...
B: Is that so? In that case, on Thursday, the day before, please come to my office to take it.
A: Sure. Then, I'll come to your office during office hours on Thursday.
Friday, February 2, 2018
～向け
The suffix 向け can be added to a noun to mean "made for..." or "for the use of..." It's intended to describe the purpose of that noun and what it's used for or who it's made for.
このサイトは携帯電話向けだから、コンピュータでは見にくい。
This site is meant for mobile phones, so it's hard to look at on the computer.
このマンガは少女向けだけど、大好きだよ。
This manga is meant for younger girls, but I still love it.
日本の電車やバスにあるシルバーシートというのは、お年寄りや体の弱い人向けの席のことです。
The seats on Japanese trains and buses known as シルバーシート are intended for the elderly and those who are frail.
私の犬には、子供向け新しいおもちゃを買ってやった。
I got my dog a new toy that's made for kids.
このサイトは携帯電話向けだから、コンピュータでは見にくい。
This site is meant for mobile phones, so it's hard to look at on the computer.
このマンガは少女向けだけど、大好きだよ。
This manga is meant for younger girls, but I still love it.
日本の電車やバスにあるシルバーシートというのは、お年寄りや体の弱い人向けの席のことです。
The seats on Japanese trains and buses known as シルバーシート are intended for the elderly and those who are frail.
私の犬には、子供向け新しいおもちゃを買ってやった。
I got my dog a new toy that's made for kids.
その上
The phrase その上 is used to emphasize an additional piece of information. It can translate quite literally to the English equivalent "on top of that." It can also read as "in addition", "besides", or "moreover."
最近のケータイは写真が撮れるだけでなく、メールも出来る。その上、インターネットやテレビも見られる。これは、もう電話じゃない。
These days, not only can you take pictures with your cell phone, but you can also send email. On top of that, you can also do internet and watch TV. That's not a phone anymore.
リーさんはかっこうよくて、頭がよくて、その上、お金持ちだね。
Lee-san is handsome, smart, and moreover, he's rich. (I do not condone this~)
日本語の漢字は音読みと訓読みがあって、覚えるのが大変だ。その上、「一人」とか「今日」のような特別な読み方の漢字もあるので、漢字の勉強に時間がかかる。
Japanese kanji have on'yomi and kun'yomi readings, so it's tough to memorize. On top of that, because there are kanji that have specialized readings like 一人 and 今日, kanji studies take time.
誕生日に、彼氏はチョコレートとぬいぐるみをくれた。その上、好きなレストランにおごったんだ。
For my birthday, my boyfriend gave me chocolates and a stuffed animal. On top of that, he treated me to my favorite restaurant.
最近のケータイは写真が撮れるだけでなく、メールも出来る。その上、インターネットやテレビも見られる。これは、もう電話じゃない。
These days, not only can you take pictures with your cell phone, but you can also send email. On top of that, you can also do internet and watch TV. That's not a phone anymore.
リーさんはかっこうよくて、頭がよくて、その上、お金持ちだね。
Lee-san is handsome, smart, and moreover, he's rich. (I do not condone this~)
日本語の漢字は音読みと訓読みがあって、覚えるのが大変だ。その上、「一人」とか「今日」のような特別な読み方の漢字もあるので、漢字の勉強に時間がかかる。
Japanese kanji have on'yomi and kun'yomi readings, so it's tough to memorize. On top of that, because there are kanji that have specialized readings like 一人 and 今日, kanji studies take time.
誕生日に、彼氏はチョコレートとぬいぐるみをくれた。その上、好きなレストランにおごったんだ。
For my birthday, my boyfriend gave me chocolates and a stuffed animal. On top of that, he treated me to my favorite restaurant.
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