ankizze
02-16-2006, 07:56 PM
In comparison with English, the Japanese language has much more variety in terms of expression. For instance, consider the phrase "I love you." You can translate this phrase into Japanese in many ways. The orthodox translation will be "Watashiwa anatao aishiteimasu," but not many Japanese will use such a textbook-like expression.
As you may know, in Japanese, men's and women's expressions are different in many cases. Men will use expressions such as, "Bokuwa kimiwo aishiteiru," "Aishiteiruyo," "Omaega sukida" etc. Alternatively, women will use expressions such as, "Anatanokoto aishiteiruwa," "Anatawo aishiteirunoyo," "Anatanokoto sukinandesu" etc. You can probably say these expressions in many different ways. Japanese use different expressions according to their relationship with the person concerned. However, they are all translated into "I love you" in English.
In Japanese there are many different words that can mean the same, or similar thing, for example "I," can be expressed as watashi, boku, or ore. Besides these frequently used words, washi, sessha, ora, oidon, wagahai, etc, are also used to express 'I.' The choice of expression used depends on generation, age, locality and intimacy. Subjects are often abbreviated, "love" is "aishiteiru" but the suffix can be changed in many ways such as "aishiteiruyo," "aishiteirusa" and "aishiteiruwa." Instead of "aishiteimasu," expressions as "sukidesu" and "sukida" are more commonly used. For "you," anata, kimi, omae, etc, are used.
As you can imagine, Japanese is a very delicate language. In other words, it allows you to convey your exact feelings. I believe that the character of the Japanese has influenced their language
As you may know, in Japanese, men's and women's expressions are different in many cases. Men will use expressions such as, "Bokuwa kimiwo aishiteiru," "Aishiteiruyo," "Omaega sukida" etc. Alternatively, women will use expressions such as, "Anatanokoto aishiteiruwa," "Anatawo aishiteirunoyo," "Anatanokoto sukinandesu" etc. You can probably say these expressions in many different ways. Japanese use different expressions according to their relationship with the person concerned. However, they are all translated into "I love you" in English.
In Japanese there are many different words that can mean the same, or similar thing, for example "I," can be expressed as watashi, boku, or ore. Besides these frequently used words, washi, sessha, ora, oidon, wagahai, etc, are also used to express 'I.' The choice of expression used depends on generation, age, locality and intimacy. Subjects are often abbreviated, "love" is "aishiteiru" but the suffix can be changed in many ways such as "aishiteiruyo," "aishiteirusa" and "aishiteiruwa." Instead of "aishiteimasu," expressions as "sukidesu" and "sukida" are more commonly used. For "you," anata, kimi, omae, etc, are used.
As you can imagine, Japanese is a very delicate language. In other words, it allows you to convey your exact feelings. I believe that the character of the Japanese has influenced their language