GrammarInTheWild - November 2021

November 19th Translation

Notes:
スノコ is a type of slatted wooden flooring that is sometimes used for drainage purposes (especially in/at temples, shrines and traditional housing). While there is a kanji structure for it(簀子), it will almost never be used, due to most natives not being able to read the first kanji. Words like this in katakana are usually used for very obscure kanji (buddhist things and animal names especially).

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November 20th
たり~たりす

Text: 大変危険ですから周囲で遊んだり池に近づいたりしないでください。

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Summary

Because it’s very dangerous, please do not play around or get close to the pond.

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御注意
その付近は大変危険ですから周囲で遊んだり池に近づいたりしないでください。

Translation

Warning
Because this neighborhood is very dangerous, please do not play aroung, or get close to the pond.

Use case

日本語の聞き取りをよくようにならせるために、アニメを見たりラジオを聞きたりたくさん言葉を勉強したりできます。

Use cases' translation

@s1212z コーヒーの準備ってどうすればがいい?牛乳が好き?いええ、そのままがいいよ。
How should I prepare the coffee? Do you like milk? No it is ok as it is.

この濁酒は飲みやすいだから、気をつけてね。
This unrefined sake is easily drunk, so be careful.

I didn’t know doburoku. I will ask for some next time I go to my favorite japanese restaurant. Thanks.

4 Likes
T

Because it’s very dangerous, please don’t do things like playing or go near the pond by the surrounding area.

U

今週末勉強したり来週の準備したりしているつもりです。

UT

In order to get better at Japanese listening comprehension, I plan studying alot of words using things like watching anime and listening to the radio.

Last I know, it is illegal unless special permission so you may need a sly local. I had some long ago that was home brewed, it was easy to drink though this particular doburoku alcohol content was higher than typical sake and slower to metabolize so it had quite a delay punch to it.

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November 20th Translation

Notes:
While 池(いけ)is usually translated as ‘pond’, in some circumstances, it is much closer to what most people would consider a lake, or dam. Usually the primary nuance of something that is called an 池, is something that is a man made body of water, regardless of how big or small it is.

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November 21st
なら

Text: 今のあなたなら私でも簡単に倒せますね

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...

Warning
This area is especially dangerous, so please do not play in this area and do not approach the pond.

Oh, I’m five minutes late :sweat_smile:

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...

If I were you, I’d simply beat [them] by myself, you know.

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たり~たりす - Yesterdays

“Due to the great danger, please do not approach the pond or play in the surrounding area”

Its Sunday morning ok… :sleeping: :sweat_smile:

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Summary

“If I were you now, even I could destroy him easily”

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Translation

If it’s your time, it doesn’t matter if it’s me or anyone, you will quickly put him down isn’t it ?
Or
When your time comes, me or anyone will quickly take you down

Questions

These one feels like my translation is wrong:

  • I don’t really know how to translate 今のあなたなら, “if it’s your time” feels unnatural. What it is supposed to mean ? Like if it’s your turn, in a tournament or something like that ?
  • How do you know who takes down who here ?

At least I tried :slight_smile:

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Translation

Even me could beat you easily, in your current condition.

This 今のあなた puzzles me too. I supposed the sentence was addressed to someone who is in a bad shape or bad condition somehow, so that this person can easily be beaten whereas normally it couldn’t. We’ll see tomorrow…

Edit: well, it seems my understanding of this sentence is totally different than everybody else’s… We’ll definitely see tomorrow. :sweat_smile:

Use case

宝くじが当たるなら日本に引っ越しします。えーと当たらなくても引っ越しするつもりです。

Use case's translation

@s1212z 今週末勉強したり来週の準備したりしているつもりです。
This week-end I intend to study and to prepare next week.

4 Likes
T

If it’s just you now, even I can simply defeat (it/you).

U

それなら、行かないわけにはいかない。

UT

If I win the lottery, I’ll move to Japan. Well, even if I don’t I still intend on moving there.

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November 21st Translation

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November 22nd
それで

Text: それできょう改めて確認しにくるって言うから、ななこについてきてもらったの

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Translation

And today he said you will need to check and come again so I had Nanako come with me.

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Translation

Because of that, he said that he will come once again today to verify (what ?), that’s why he had Nanako to come with him.

Questions
  • きょう => how do you know how to translate this ? I supposed it was 今日, but logically if it was this, the kanjis would appear.
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Answer to questions

In manga, it is very common that some things will be written in kanji, while others aren’t, specifically to give the character some kind of extra personality. In this comic, the girl that is speaking is very shy, and very softly spoken (you can see her in the middle picture above the front cover holding her cheeks and making the ‘chooo’ face). This きょう is 今日, but the lack of kanji is focusing the pronunciation on that ‘chooo’ face.

… Now that I am sitting here writing this, it does seem quite confusing. Don’t worry though, you get used to it very quickly!

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T

Because they said it’s hard to confirm another time, Nanako came (for us).

U

最後日本に行ったときに、色々な方言を聞いて認め始めた。それで真似てみた。

3 Likes