定義. The precise meanings of Japanese words or phrases.
Questions seeking or discussing the precise meanings of Japanese words or phrases.
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Questions tagged [definitions]
252 questions
24
votes
2 answers
What's the difference between 今日{きょう} and 本日{ほんじつ}?
I also see both in different examples.
As in :
今日は暑い。
本日はおめでとうございます。
Both are translated as "Today", but when and how should I use either one?
Can we say : 本日はあつい。 And 今日はおめでとうございます。?
Kalzem
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18
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3 answers
Does "敬語" (keigo) just mean "politeness" or is it a technical term specifically relating to Japanese grammar?
What is the difference between the Japanese term "敬語" (keigo) and the English term "politeness" (Specifically regarding language)?
I assumed politeness is more general covering things like "please" and "thank you" and that "敬語" (keigo) specifically…
hippietrail
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18
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1 answer
Aren't がる and たがる the same thing?
In my JLPT practise book, it has two different entries, one to explain がる and one to explaining たがる. It offeres these example sentences to differentiate them:
うちの子{こ}は新{あたら}しいものを見{み}ると、すぐほしがる。
うちの子{こ}は甘{あま}いものを見{み}ると、すぐ食{た}べたがる。
I think they both…
Questioner
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17
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2 answers
"雷{かみなり}" is thunder, or lightning, or both?
In daily conversation, " 雷 " means both the lightning and the accompanying thunder as a single phenomenon, right?
At night, I sometimes see lightning on the horizon, but no thunder. That is 雷, right?
All the time, I hear the thunder, but not see…
Wrythe
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17
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2 answers
How do I know when to read the kanji 抱 as 「だ・く」, and when to read it as 「いだ・く」, or even 「うだ・く」?
This sentence was in a grammar textbook:
彼{かれ}は同僚{どうりょう}にライバル意識{いしき}、ひいては殺意{さつい}すら抱いていた
... it means:
"He regarded his colleague as a rival, even to the point of
considering murder."
My question is about the last kanji, 抱. It seems to have…
Questioner
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16
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1 answer
Does ごめん really mean sorry?
Normally ごめんなさい is translated as sorry or excuse me, but that seems like a translation for non-native speakers. In the same way, しつれいします can also be translated as excuse me or pardon me. But it really means "I'm being rude". So... what does ごめん…
dotnetN00b
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16
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1 answer
Use of する to describe one's colour
From Japanesepod101:
象は灰色をしている。
The elephant is gray.
The meaning of the sentence is not in doubt but I've been trying to figure how する is being used here. Checking a dictionary, definition 2エ might be applicable here.
ある状態・性質であることを示す。(To show…
Viridian
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15
votes
4 answers
森 vs 林 for forest
According to A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters, 森 (38) is woods and 林 (75) is forest.
But some material I've found online related to Japan seems to indicate 森 is the more correct Japanese word for forest.
Is the book correct or do native…
Huperniketes
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15
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3 answers
How can you figure out whether 鍵【かぎ】 means "lock" or "key"?
Recently, I forgot whether 鍵【かぎ】 meant lock or key, so I looked it up quickly on my phone's dictionary... And then I found out that it actually means both.
What are the best ways to figure out if someone who is saying 鍵【かぎ】 is talking about a lock…
atlantiza
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14
votes
2 answers
What does とな mean (and how do I use it)?
I came across this on Twitter, it seems to be mostly a question but sometimes an exclamation. Is it とは, or maybe とか? How do you use it? My dictionary has a とな as word that come at the end of a sentence to get confirmation. Is this the…
nevan king
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14
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1 answer
What is Bowser saying in Super Mario RPG? よって！ (includes picture)
I'm watching a YouTube video that helps learn Japanese through Mario RPG found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBRLmhFy-4
I think Bowser is saying something like "I hate how you always interfere!"
There's 2 parts to this question.
Part 1:…
Grumpy Bread
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14
votes
2 answers
Meaning of 〜あれだ
_____ってあれだよね
What is あれ in this context? Is the speaking making a positive or negative statement about _____?
Amanda S
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14
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1 answer
Difference between 創立、設立、樹立
Can anyone explain the difference between the words 創{そう}立{りつ}, 設{せつ}立{りつ} and 樹{じゅ}立{りつ}? They all basically mean "to set up / to found", and from what I've researched, it's all very 微{び}妙{みょう} to me.
istrasci
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14
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1 answer
Does タメ語{ご} mean "casual speech"?
A debate came up on the use of タメ語{ご} in this question, and I thought it was worth its own analysis.
The question is, does タメ語 simply mean "casual speech", or does it mean "speech between equals". Or something else.
The difference has implications…
Questioner
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14
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3 answers
Fun with synonyms - "eternity"
What are the differences among the following two-kanji words that seem to mean "eternity":
永遠 {えいえん}
永久 {とわ}
永世 {えいせい}
永代 {えいたい}
永劫 {えいごう}
永永 {えいえい}
久遠 {きゅうえん}
悠久 {ゆうきゅう}
恒久 {こうきゅう}
恒常 {こうじょう}
長久 {ちょうきゅう}
無窮 {むきゅう}
Please include any other related…
Lukman
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