Comments on: Japanese language: saying more with less http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/06/30/japanese-language-saying-more-with-less/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/06/30/japanese-language-saying-more-with-less/#comment-2879 Doug Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:25:26 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=4375#comment-2879 <strong>johnl</strong> I've heard that phrase too! Very funny. :) <strong>Kendall</strong> Believe me, when you don't speak the language fluently, you'll find yourself getting quiet. At least, that's what happens to me. johnl I’ve heard that phrase too! Very funny. :)

Kendall Believe me, when you don’t speak the language fluently, you’ll find yourself getting quiet. At least, that’s what happens to me.

]]> By: Kendall http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/06/30/japanese-language-saying-more-with-less/#comment-2873 Kendall Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:20:02 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=4375#comment-2873 This will be an issue for me I'm sure. I can be rather chatty, and I have also practiced to be more chatty. People use to tell me I was so quiet. Guess that would have worked out better with Japanese. I guess only time will tell. This will be an issue for me I’m sure. I can be rather chatty, and I have also practiced to be more chatty. People use to tell me I was so quiet. Guess that would have worked out better with Japanese. I guess only time will tell.

]]> By: johnl http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/06/30/japanese-language-saying-more-with-less/#comment-2855 johnl Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:32:39 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=4375#comment-2855 One of my favorite Japanese expressions is concise but fuzzy as hell: それ、あれでしょう。。。 I think それ (sore) means something like 'what you are talking about' while あれ (are) could be 'you know, THAT.' So the translation might be 'Oh, you are talking about THAT, right?' Like you want to add your opinion to a conversation, but you need to confirm that you understand what the topic is. THAT is very ambiguous, but usually refers so something both speakers know or had mentioned earlier. Or something. JL One of my favorite Japanese expressions is concise but fuzzy as hell:

それ、あれでしょう。。。

I think それ (sore) means something like ‘what you are talking about’ while あれ (are) could be ‘you know, THAT.’ So the translation might be ‘Oh, you are talking about THAT, right?’

Like you want to add your opinion to a conversation, but you need to confirm that you understand what the topic is. THAT is very ambiguous, but usually refers so something both speakers know or had mentioned earlier.

Or something.

JL

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