Tuttle Japanese for Beginners by Sachiko Toyozato

Author:Sachiko Toyozato
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-4-8053-0906-3
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

USING A QUESTION AS AN INVITATION

Asking a question using the Nai form of a verb with a rising intonation like Tenisu shinai? constitutes an invitation to someone. It means “Won’t you ___?” or “Why don’t we ___?”

Odoranai? Why don’t we dance?

Appuru pai tabenai? Won’t you have some apple pie?

Minna de bōringu shinai? Why don’t we all go bowling? (Chapter 10)

Some Expressions Unique to Japanese

Tadaima and okaeri (as in the “okaerinasai” at the beginning of this chapter’s dialogue) are Japanese expressions which have no English equivalents. Usually when returning home, Japanese people say Tadaima which implies “I’m back” or “I’m home.” The response to this expression is Okaeri or Okaerinasai, which can be translated as “Welcome home” or “I’m glad you’re home again.”

Similarly, when leaving home, an office, or a company, Itte kimasu or Itte mairimasu which corresponds to “goodbye” is used. (Literally these mean “I’m going and I’ll be back later.”). The person on the receiving side of these expressions says Itte rasshai or Itte rasshaimase, which literally means, “Please go and come back.”

In addition, there are also the expressions Itadakimasu and Gochisōsama which are said before and after a meal respectively. Itadakimasu is meant to show appreciation for the gift of food, while Gochisōsama implies “Thank you for a delicious meal.” Indeed, there are many common phrases which lose something in the process of translation.

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