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Japanese Language Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [pragmatics]

語用論. The branch of linguistics dealing with language in use and the contexts in which it is used.

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Situational acceptability of politeness and/or honorific use

Consider: I am expected to use polite forms when speaking to someone socially above me. Let's take for example, a teacher. If our relationship improves, and it becomes permissible for me to speak casually to the teacher, then if I speak to that…
Flaw
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What is the difference between 預金 and 入金?

Both 預金{よきん} and 入金{にゅうきん} can mean deposit. Is there any difference in the usage of these terms?
user1602
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What does 外国人のように imply in this sentence?

My friend is reading a book, and it contains the following sentence: すると、高畑は外国人のように両手を上げる仕草をした。 Why does this say 外国人のように? Are foreigners known for a particular gesture in which we raise both our arms...? When I read this sentence, I feel like…
user1478
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How to pronounce 上 with the meaning of "when"?

I know how to pronounce and translate 上 in 1, but not sure if it is pronounced うえ or じょう in 2 and if it is also translated "when". Could someone explain case 2 please? 利用上{りようじょう}の注意{ちゅうい} caution when using computer name 上で使用している account name…
user1602
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How to interpret なりました at a baseball game radio broadcast?

On my local radio station baseball games translations take the most of the broadcast slots. Commentators speak very fast and the only thing I can differentiate is なりました. なりました is repeated literally every two seconds. What could possibly "become" or…
user1602
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Is usage of ように appropritate in "Offer to do something"?

One of the options in LastPass.com is "Offer to generate a secure password". In Japanese version it is translated as "安全なパスワードを生成するように提案". Is the usage of ように here delivers the meaning of "offer to do something"? Would it be more accurate to…
user1602
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Volitional form

もう20年にもなろうか。伊勢崎の人で覚えている人があろう。 Is the author doing hypothesis by using the form that I have marked? This is the opening sentence of a ghost story which is set in Isezaki.
Alexandra
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What is a meaning of 予約 on the washing machine?

According to JMDict 予約 is translated as reservation;  appointment;  booking;  advance order contract;  subscription;  pledge None of the meanings above seem to make sense to one of the function labels on a washing machine.
user1602
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What does 円分 mean after a number?

Is 分 a counter after 円 following a number, e.g. 500円分?
user1602
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Politeness level congruency

This question comes from observing a game show called ガキの使いやあらへんで ("instant miso soup" episode), where the participants have to match a product to the one they consume while blindfolded. They are only allowed to try one product at a time from the…
Flaw
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What is the meaning of としてしまう in the following sentence

I do not get how としてしまう is used in the following sentence. If the meaning ofとして = as, for; not even and しまう = to finish doing (something), what do they mean together? (assuming I have split the phrase correctly). 男性がイラッ!! としてしまう!? [女性の言いがちワード]
Nutkin
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What is the difference between 搾る and 絞る?

According to JMDict both 搾る and 絞る mean squeeze. Is there a difference in their usage? I noticed that 搾る is used to describe the process of beer making, can 絞る be used alternatively in this case?
user1602
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What is the order of importance of 重大 重要 大切 大事

What is the difference in order of importance and contextual usage of the following: 重大 重要 大切 大事
user1602
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Can particle は use cases be summarized by a single inclusive term "disambiguation"?

Particle は is often called topic, emphasis, contrast, etc. particle. Can particle は use cases be summarized by a single term disambiguation? If one could think of は as disambiguation particle should one ever need to remember all sub-cases?
user1602
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Are 結局 and てしまう equivalent in terms of expressing "end up doing something"?

Out of the following two sentences, which one is more natural to say "I ended up eating all ice-cream"? 結局はアイスクリームを全部食べた。 アイスクリームを全部食べてしまった。
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