nguyenducminhanh - Blogger: November 2007

Friday, November 30, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - がてら (gatera)

がてら (gatera) - while doing something

--- Notes ---
[がてら]
Used to express getting one thing accomplished while doing a second thing.
Perhaps a good English equivalent would be 'to kill two birds with one
stone.'

--- Examples ---
散歩がてら本屋に寄った。
Since I took a walk. I stopped at a bookshop.

ドライブがてら駅に私を迎えにきてください。
Since you go for a run in the car, coud you pick me up at the station?

息抜きがてら同僚とチャットをする。
Chat with a colleague on the internet for a change.

せっかく上京したのだから見物がてら、買い物でもしよう。
Since I've come all the way to the capital, I might as well get some
shopping done on top of sightseeing.

--- Comments ---
more formal than -nagara but similar - ?? (contributor: dc)

gatera can be reaplced with ついでに or wo を兼ねて.
○散歩ついでに、本屋に寄った。
○散歩を兼ねて、本屋に寄った。
ｘ散歩をしながら、本屋に寄った。This is not natural.
I think that がてら is used to show another action （本屋に寄る） taken
place in the middle of one main action （散歩をする）, 散歩→本屋→散歩
While ながら、two or more actions are at the same time.
eg. 友だちと喋りながら歩く。 I walk as talking with a friend.　歩く=喋る
(contributor: Miki)

You can also use かたがた.
散歩かたがた公園に行った. (contributor: bamboo4)

got it. so its not a verb ending like 〜ながら。
It means more like 'on the occasion of' or 'while doing A, also did B' than
'during or while' ... ie slightly separated incidents.

Is it a very formal/written phrase? (contributor: dc)

Right on, dc.

ついでに is conversational, がてら,かねて and かたがた are predominantly
used in writing. (contributor: bamboo4)

My book says that this is not used for a 'big' event. It is used for
something small or something that can be finished soon.
旅行がてら = NO
散歩がてら = OK (contributor: blabby)

No, that is not correct.がてら can be used in any situation where you say
'while doing X, I also did Y.'

There is such limitation as Blabby refers to.

It is perfectly correct to say 中国旅行がてらタイにも足を伸ばした。Or
花子と話がてら、夏子にも挨拶した。

I dn't know what your book is, but if that's what it says,it is not
correct.

(contributor: bamboo4)

The book I am using is 実力アップ！日本語能力試験一級文法編 by Unicom. The
explanations are in Japanese so Ill quote from the book.

〜がてら　ー　(〜をするときに)
たいへんなことや大きいことではなく、小さいことやすぐに終わること。
×旅行がてら　　○散歩がてる

Maybe this books explanations are not as good as I thought... (contributor:
blabby)

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Thursday, November 29, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 頂く (itadaku)

頂く (itadaku) - to receive (polite)

--- Examples ---
今日頂いたメールに基づいて、、
based on the email I received today...

頂きます
For what we are about to receive (said before eating a meal, like 'grace'
in the west)

社長は手紙をDCから弁護士に送って貰いたいのでしょうか？
Would the President like DC to send the letter to the lawyer?

あなたの許可を頂くべきだったでしょうか。
Should I have asked your permission?

お返事をお待ちしております。またお返事をいただくことにより、私どもはより効率よく会議の準備をすることができます。
Your response is greatly appreciated and will enable us to prepare more
efficiently.

--- Comments ---
where itadaku is to receive, I think / is the opposite, ie a polite way of
saying something I give to someone (contributor: dc)

ex#3167 It is possible to say 社長は、DCに手紙を弁護士に送って欲しい or
貰いたいのでしょうか？ When DC is ranked higher in a company than the
speak and the listener, it is desirable to use 頂きたい with respect.
(contributor: your name)

dc,文章をクリックすると、翻訳ページに直結している！これは、すごいね、便利だね。(^-^)v
(contributor: your name)

特に外人にとっては便利＾○＾ (contributor: dc)

#3167 is weird. You want me to edit it? (contributor: bamboo4)

Yes, please. When you are confident its correct, please change the
'checked' dropdown to a +1 to greenlight the example... (contributor: dc)

つまり、修正頂きたいと思います。宜しくお願い致します。 (contributor: dc)

itadaku is the plain (dict) form of itadakimasu (contributor: dc)

I changed it, but it no longer belongs to this category of 頂きたい.
(contributor: bamboo4)

hmm, why would you use morau there instead of itadaku ? i was trying to
include more biz usable examples (contributor: dc)

社長 need not use any honorifics to make DC to do something for him. If DC
wants 社長 to do that, it's a different
story.DCから社長に頼んで弁護士に手紙を送って頂くようにしたい would be okay.
(contributor: bamboo4)

no, that phrase was DC asking the President what he wanted him to do. ie DC
talking to the Prez. (contributor: dc)

In that case, you have to use 貰いたい.
(contributor: bamboo4)

This is level one? I don't believe it. (contributor: bab)

bab Please suggest what you think the level is if you don't think this is
not the level one. (contributor: Miki)

致す／致しますis not the opposite of 頂く。Instead, it is a humble form of
する。 (contributor: 誠)

bab is correct - This appears in JLPT level 3. (contributor: NickT)

Can someone explain to me the rule behind requests in the form of, for
example, お送りいただけませんか? (contributor: mwhite)

--- View this entry online ---
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜までもな�｢ (〜mademonai)

〜までもない (〜mademonai) - It's not necessary (to bother) to; do not have
to;

--- Examples ---
スレ立てるまでもない話題はこちらへ
??

ただの風邪ですから、薬を飲むまでもありません
Its just a cold, so its not neccessary to take medicine

いろいろな意味で、正直が最善の策であることは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that honesty is the best policy in many ways.

お金がすべてではないのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that money is not everything.

お金よりも健康が大切なことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that health is above wealth.

すべての人に平等の話す権利が与えられているのは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that everybody is given the equal right to speak.

たばこは健康に悪いことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that smoking is bad for the health.

たゆまぬ努力が成功の鍵であることは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that diligence is the key to success.

だれも私たちの間に割り込めないことは言うまでもない。
It goes without saying that nobody can come between us.

疲れているならば、休みをとるべきなのは、言うまでもないことだ。
It goes without sayng, if you are tired, you should take a rest.

スレ立てるまでもない話題はこちらへ
Topics that don't need their own threads should go here

--- Comments ---
ex#3305 I don't understand the Japanese, especially スレ立てる.
(contributor: Miki)

I dont understand it either! It came up as the first google for an example:
http://www.chitora.jp/cgi-bin/readres.cgi?bo=lhaz&vi=1090515715
(contributor: dc)

I dont understand it either! It came up as the first google for an
example:
here (contributor: dc)

I didn't know. スレ立てる is short for スレッドを立てる　thread It
sometimes means 発言とそれに対するコメントから成る一連のメッセージ群
I'm a dinosaur. dc, you, too! (^o^)
(contributor: Miki)

#3305 スレ立てるまでもない話題はこちらへ in English would be: 'Click here
for topics that do not require a new thread.' (contributor: bamboo4)

--- View this entry online ---
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 兼ねて (kanete)

兼ねて (kanete) - combine with

--- Notes ---
Noun + を + 兼ねて
Noun + を + 兼ねる

--- Examples ---
大阪の仕事を兼ねて京都見物に行く
In going to Osaka on business, I'll combine it with a sightseeing visit to
Kyoto.

総理大臣（首相）と外務大臣（外相）とを兼ねる。
Hold the office of Prime Minister concurrently with the portfolio of
Foreign Minister.

私は勉強と遊びを兼ねている仕事につきたい。
I want to get a job that mixes work and play.

作文の練習を兼ねて、日本のペンフレンドと文通をしています。まあ、一挙両得というわけです。
Combined with writing practice, I am corresponding with my Japanese pen
friend. I guess I am killing two birds with one stone.

趣味と実益を兼ねて日本語の勉強をしたが、いつの間にか、通訳が本業になってしまった。
Along with personal interest and practical reasons, I studied Japanese.
Before I knew it, translation became my main source of income.

--- Comments ---
Thank you for putting this page up.
(contributor: bamboo4)

Does anyone know if it is possible to use this in a form other than
Noun+を+兼ねて? (contributor: blabby)

I thought of examles other than Noun nor noun phrase, nothing comes up.
noun phrase eg. 頭を冷やすのを兼ねて公園に散歩に行く (contributor: Miki)

Thanks for your help Miki, I'll add it to the notes section. (contributor:
blabby)

--- View this entry online ---
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Monday, November 26, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜にして (nishite)

〜にして (nishite) - only; because of that

--- Notes ---
科学者にして出来事

other similar meanings:

だけ only：
　科学者＿だけ＿出来事
　a thing only a scholar could do

だから so
　科学者＿だから＿出来た
　he is a scholar so he could do it

だからこそ due to/because of
　科学者だからこそできた
　because he is a great scholar he could do it

--- Examples ---
かれはノーベル賞に値する研究を成し遂げた。これは、偉大な科学者にして初めてできることであろう。
He worked hard to execute Nobel Prize level research. This was the
something only a great scholar could achieve.

留学生にして日本に行った。
Only as a student did I go to Japan.

９０歳にして彼はいまだに驚くほど元気である。
At the age of ninety he still has surprising vigour.

--- Comments ---
#5146: can someone check please? (contributor: dc)

#6138　The Japanese is weird. 留学生として日本に行った。 is better. That
means this example does not fit to this entry. (contributor: Miki)

#5146 The Japanese looks ok. Usually the expression is used as written
language. Simpler expression is
これは、偉大な科学者であって初めてできることであろう。 (contributor: Miki)

#6139 For your reference, this にして is different from the entry.
(contributor: Miki)

--- View this entry online ---
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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - なりに (narini)

なりに (narini) - in one's own way, one's own style

--- Examples ---
私は私なりに人生観を持っています。
I have my own outlook on life.

動物は動物なりのコミュニケーションが出来る
Animals have their own way of communicating

子供は子供なりに自分の世界を持っているものだ
Kids have kids own world

そうなら、それなりにやってみてください。
If that is so, then try to do it accordingly (in line with that).

言うなりになる。
End up according to (as) what one has been told.

あの国では、私は外国人だったのでそれなりに扱われた。
In that country I was a foreigner and was treated as such.

このプッシュホンもそれなりに役に立つのが分かった。
This push-button phone turned out to be useful in its way.

すべての幸福な家庭という物はお互いに似通っているが、不幸な家庭という物はそれぞれそれなりに違った不幸があるものだ。
All happy families resemble each other, each unhappy family is unhappy in
its own way.

その絵はそれなりによくできている。
The picture is good in its way.

タケオは彼なりに良いやつだ。
Takeo is quite a good fellow in his way.

テレビの漫画は、それなりに教育的だと言う人もいる。
Some people say that cartoons on television are educational in themselves.

私は若い頃にたくさん本を読んだので、それなりに物知りだ。
I read a lot of books in my youth; I am a scholar in my own way.

人の価値は持ち物というより人となりにある。
A man's worth lies not so much in what he has as in what he is.

彼にもそれなりに恐いものがある。
He has his own collection of phobias.

彼の言いなりになるくらいなら、独りで暮らした方がましだ。
I would rather live by myself than do as he tells me to do.

収入が増えれば増えたなりに、支出も多くなっていく。
@As~

--- Comments ---
not to be confused with nari~nari which is more like, for example...
(contributor: dc)

this might be easier to remember in english by using the same repetition
kids have kids own...
he has his own...
(contributor: dc)

hmm That means there is only one 'have' in the first example? (contributor:
Miki)

oops. eagle eyes! (contributor: dc)

なりに does not always mean 'one's own way' as shown by my example.
(contributor: bamboo4)

なり could mean 'accroding to' as shown in my examples, and it also could
mean 'even though not entirely satisfactory, but corresponding to the
capability that one has' that could be equal to 'one's own way' in a broad
sense. However, don't forget that there is this modesty that is at the root
of なりに.
(contributor: bamboo4)

ex# 3611 人となり is one word. (contributor: Miki)

>miki ↑ which one word? 人となり you mean one 字 ?
or as spoken it is a set phrase? (contributor: dc)

I think Miki is referring to the fact that 人となり in the sense it is used
in #3611 is a single word - also written 為人, meaning 'inborn character' -
rather than an example of the なりに phrase. (contributor: srobertson)

srobertson's comment is what I wanted to say. ;) (contributor: Miki)

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Saturday, November 24, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - さながら (sanagara)

さながら (sanagara) - Just like

--- Examples ---
夜のトイレを恐れる駄々っ子さながらの、言い訳にもならないセリフでお茶を濁した。
Just like a spoiled, selfish child, I avoided the main issue.

さまざまなトラブルを想定した本番さながらの訓練
The training session included a variety of mock situations and emergencies.

本場ニューヨークさながらのジャズナイト
A jazz night just like a genuine New York one.

石器時代さながらの着火方法
How to light a fire just like they did it in the stone age.

NYさながらのStylishな雰囲気
A stylish atmosphere like New York

TOEICテストさながらの出題形式
Questions just like the real ones that appear in the TOEIC test.

本番さながらのシミュレーション
A simulation just like the real thing.

実際の試験さながらの模擬テスト
A practice exam, just like the real one.

強盗団は近くの家から１１０メートルに及ぶトンネルを掘って侵入した。映画さながらの強盗だ。
The group of robbers dug a 110m tunnel from a nearby house and entered the
premises. It's just like a movie.

--- Comments ---
There is Kanji for this grammar (宛ら), but it is usually written in
hiragana.

For #5509, 'Avoiding the main issue' is the only translation I can come up
with for お茶を濁す that doesn't sound awkward. Any better ideas?
(contributor: blabby)

Something like 'muddle along' may be?
(contributor: bamboo4)

--- View this entry online ---
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Friday, November 23, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - ふと (futo)

ふと (futo) - suddenly, by coincidence

--- Notes ---
and do not always have negative connotations

whereas implies more regret, or that the action was done carelessly.

other words for suddenly include
　いきなり
　突然「とつぜん」

--- Examples ---
電車の中でふと木村さんを見かけた
By coincidence, I happened to see Kimura san on the train

ふと新しい考えが浮かんだ。
Suddenly, I hit upon this new idea.

テレビを見ていて学生時代の友達をふと思い出した。
Watching TV,I had this instant recall of the memory of my friend during my
student days.

ふとした事が人生の分かれ目になることがある。
A pure happenstance can be a die-casting event in your life.

うまい考えがふと浮かんだ。
A happy idea came upon me.

素晴らしい考えがふと心に浮かんだ。
A bight idea occurred to me.

その言葉はふと彼の口から漏れた。
That word dropped from his mouth.

その老人はふと立ち止まって振り返った。
The old man stopped suddenly and looked back.

それは秘密にしておくべきではないと私はふと思った。
It occurred to me that I should not keep it secret.

ふとしたことからその噂は嘘だと分った。
Accidentally, the rumor has turned out to be false.

財布を家に忘れてきたことをふと思い出した。
It occurred to me that I had left my purse at home.

私の見たことを話そうかなとふと思った。
I had a notion to tell what I had seen.

私はふとその男が私をだまして金を奪い取ろうとしているのだと思った。
It occurred to me that the man was tryng to cheat me out of moy money.

私はふと彼女が何かを隠そうとしていると感じた。
It struck me that the girl was trying to hide something.

私は列車の中に鞄を忘れたことをふと思い出した。
It occurred to me that I had left my bg on the train.

試行錯誤の末、彼はふと正しい答えを思いついた。
Through trial and error, he found the right answer by chance.

彼こそ適任者であるという考えがふと心に浮かんだ。
It occurred to me that he was the right man.

彼はそれを見るとふと魔がさして盗んだ。
The sight tempted him to steal.

彼はわざとそうしたんだとふと私は思った。
It occurred to me that he had done it on purpose.

彼は何かを隠そうとしていると、私はふと思った。
It occurred to me that he was trying to conceal something.

彼は真実を何も言わないかもしれないということがふと頭に浮かんだ。
It occurred to me that he might not tell the truth.

彼らのあざ笑いをふと耳にした。
I overheard their mockery.

彼女はふと名案を思いついた。
She hit upon a good idea.

僕はふと足を止めた。〔M〕
Suddenly, my feet stopped.

--- Comments ---
whats the difference with いきなり or 突然？ (contributor: dc)

hmm this is a very good question... Let me think. (contributor: Miki)

ふと would be used in the sense of 'incidentally' or 'by some unexpected
turn of event.' It is more or less an unexpected thing that catch you more
or less passively.

いきなり and 突然 has the connotation of 'out of blue' or 'abruptly' so
that there is a big element of surprise. (contributor: bamboo4)

what is the difference with 偶然 ? (contributor: marvin)

偶然「ぐうぜん」 I think means more what a coincidence. As in 'what a
surprise to see you here!'

突然　「とつぜん」is more similar, like 'out of the blue'.

いきなり is another similar word.
いきなり結婚した - got married all of a sudden (contributor: dc)

For me, there are hints (like endling と) for the word is an onomatopoeia
construction, that's the difference... As in,
「ふと気がついたの。」''Pooh!' - the realization came.' Although it's not
as childish in Japanese, as they use onomatopoeia words a lot.
(contributor: Kaens)

Yes. Bamboo4 is correct. 3940 should start 'Incidentally, ' (contributor:
christ)

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Thursday, November 22, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 始末だ (shimatsuda)

始末だ (shimatsuda) - Unfortunately, (it has become ~)

--- Notes ---
Verb(辞書形) + しまつだ。

The result is always something bad.

Meaning: Finally, on top of that. Used to describe when something bad
becomes worse.

--- Examples ---
あの二人は犬猿の仲で、ちょっとしたことでも、すぐ口論になる始末だ。
Those two don't get along very well. Unfortunately, at the drop of a hat,
they start arguing.

友達に借金までするしまつだ。
Unfortunately, it has got to the point where he has to borrow money from
friends.

この始末は、今まで述べたとおりです。
Just as I said, it turned out like this!

離婚してうえに、首にまでなるしまつだ。
On top of getting divorced, I got fired from my job

--- Comments ---
I think this is similar to '〜してしまった' or
'〜ということになっちゃった'.
In my grammar book, there is no kanji but if you do a google search, 始末だ
comes up often.
I'm not very confident about example #5437... (contributor: blabby)

#5437 Do you mean 結末 ketsumatus instead of 始末? (contributor: Miki)

#5437 is copied exactly as I found it. I'm not quite sure about it because
it is not at the end of the sentence as all the other examples are. 結末
and probably even 結果 sound like they would be good in context.
(contributor: blabby)

In #5437,始末 means 'from the beginning to the end' whereas in all other
examples, 始末 is used to mean 'situation' or 'circumstances.'
(contributor: bamboo4)

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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜をものと�烽ｹずに (~womonotomosezuni)

〜をものともせずに (~womonotomosezuni) - In the face of, in defiance of

--- Examples ---
彼女は足の痛みをものともせずにマラソンを走り抜いた。
Undaunted, despite the pain in her legs, she finished her run in the
marathon race.

雪の深い道をものともせずそいつはひたすら車を駆った。
Without heed to the road deeply covered with snow, he doggedly drove on.

敵の攻撃を物ともせず部隊は突進した。
Heedless of the enemy advance, the troops charged.

周囲の反対をものともせずに、二人は結婚した。
in defiance of everyone around them, the two of them got married.

寒さをものともせずに、彼は薄着で外出した
Making nothing of the cold he went out in thin clothes.

氷のような水をものともせずに彼は川へ飛びこんだ
He jumped into the river in defiance of the icy water.

そのおてんば娘は危険をものともせずにその木に登った
The reckless girl climbed the tree regardless of danger.

--- Comments ---
added a translation and some see also links.
be nice to know subtelties between this and (contributor: dc)

perhaps others are 'despite' whereas this is a much stronger 'in defiance
of/against all odds' type phrase... (contributor: dc)

I think it also means 'regardless'; behaving as though the obstacle or
whatever isn't actually there. (contributor: Rob)

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - かのごとく (kanogotoku)

かのごとく (kanogotoku) - as if

--- Notes ---
〜かのごとく：　〜かのように + 形容詞・動詞

--- Examples ---
あたかも永遠を傷つけることがないかのごとく暇をつぶしているが・・・。
As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.

誰も見ていないかのごとく自由に踊りましょう
Dance freely as if nobody was watching.

その森の中は、何万年も前に戻ったかのごとく神秘的だった
Within this forest, it was so mysterious as if one had even gone some ten
thousands years back in time

--- Comments ---
Appeared in JLPT 1 for 2002 (contributor: Amatuka)

Seems may be used mostly in poetic / lyric sense. (contributor: Amatuka)

Actually, this entry is under ごとく since the 〜かの before it can be seen
as a noun phrase, 何万年も前に戻ったか(noun phrase) ＋　の＋　ごとく
(contributor: 誠)

Actually, it sounds similar with 〜かのような, only thing is now since the
following phrase is either an Adjective or Verb, it becomes 〜かのように.
And also, ごとく is a classical word. (contributor: 誠)

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Monday, November 19, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜それまで�ｾ ([conditional] + soremadeda)

〜それまでだ ( + soremadeda) - Conveys the idea that if something occurs,
then a bad end is reached.

--- Examples ---
一生懸命勉強しても試験に合格しなければそれまでだ。
Even if you study hard, you will fail the exam and that's the end of that.

悪いことをしないほうがいいよ。見つかればそれまでだ。
You shouldn't be doing this. If they find out, that will be the end of
that.

雨天ならそれまでだ。
If it rains, that's the end of that.

死んだらそれまでだ。
If you die, you die.

いくらお金を稼いでも、死んでしまえばそれまでだ。
No matter how much money you earn, once you die, that is the end of it.

ダイエット中なのにアイスクリームをたくさん食べたらそれまでだ

--- Comments ---
Even if you study hard, you will fail the exam and that's the end of that.
(contributor: Glen Charles Rowell)

for the above example 一生懸命勉強しても試験に合格しなければそれまでだ。
(contributor: Glen Charles Rowell)

Thanks for checking. (contributor: Miki)

You can also use this with other conditionals such as 〜たら, 〜なら, 〜と.
Although most JLPT books only have the 〜ばそれまでだ version.

'that's the end of that' is a great translation. Thanks. (contributor:
blabby)

I think 'that's the end of that' is grossly ambiguous and it is not a good
English. I suggest the following:

#4765
Even if you study hard, should you fail the exams,then the things would go
kaput!

#5315
That's bad and you shouldn't be doing that. If they ever find out, you will
be hitting your point of no return.

#5316
If it rains, that's how the ball bounces.

(contributor: bamboo4)

To me, rather than 'that's the end of that', it sounds more natural to say
something more along the lines of ' that's it' or depending on the case,
'you're screwed'. A good example would be from the sentence above -
悪いことをしないほうがいいよ。見つかればそれまでだ。 You shouldn't be doing
stuff like that. Somebody sees you and you're gonna be screwed.
(contributor: HokkaidoHillbilly)

hello hillbilly: care to put that one in as an example? it seems a good
one. (contributor: dc)

I think 'you're screwed' is also a good translation (意訳) in the case of
my example #5315. 'That's the end of that' might not be the most natural,
but it is a general translation which fits almost all examples.

To me 'That's bad and you shouldn't be doing that. If they ever find out,
you will be hitting your point of no return. ' seems a little strange.
(contributor: blabby)

I also like to use 'that's all she wrote' for this one. Like, 'then you're
screwed', it's a bit colloquial, but definitely sounds natural.　I also
wonder if using a repetition here: for instance [#5315] could be written
'...if you fail, you fail.' However, in English, this can also have the
sense of 'no big deal', or 'you can't argue with fate'. So for [#5316] 'If
it rains, it rains' - in English, this has the implication that a) there's
nothing you can do about it, and possibly b) no big deal. Are these nuances
present in the Japanese? (contributor: srobertson)

The grammar entry meaning 'if .. then it was over' is a poor match. At
the least it should be 'if ... then it _is_ over.' (contributor: Paul)

'That's the end of that' is (I believe) much better English than those very
odd phrases suggested above. The only problem with #4765 is that it is
conditional, and therefore should be written: If you study hard and still
fail the exam, that's the end of that. (contributor: Dutch)

[#5316] 'If it rains, it rains' would be a good translation, since in
Japanese, it conveys the feeling of resignation, too. Such tautological
statement has the connotation of emphasis in Japanese.
雨が降るから雨が降る. (contributor: bamboo)

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Sunday, November 18, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - どうも (doumo)

どうも (doumo) - apparently, naturally

--- Examples ---
この空模様では、どうも雨になりそうだ。
With this kind of sky apparently it will rain

どうもうまくゆかない。
Whatever I do, it doesn't end up well.

どうも済みません。
I feel very bad about it.

どうもよくわからん。
It's not very clear and I don't quite understand.

「あの人たちは、またストをやるんだろうか」「どうもそうらしいね」
'Will they go on strike again?' 'I'm afraid so.'

どうも行く必要はないようです。
There seems to be no need to go.

いやどうも、どうも。
Well, thank you/sorry/sorry I'm late/good to see you, etc.

--- Comments ---
済みません means that one's mind remains unsettled and therefore not 澄む,
that is not clear. From 澄む came the concept of 済む meaning 'finishied.'
(contributor: bamboo4)

You can simply say どうも and you can dispense with all other phrases you
can think of!
(contributor: bamboo4)

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - ように (youni-2)

ように (youni-2) - became

--- Examples ---
だから、英語がうまく話せるようになりたいです。
So, I want to become able to speak better english

どのようにしても、わたしはかまわない。
I don't care whatever you do.

２１世紀がどのようになるのか想像できますか。
Can you imagine what the 21st century will be like?

人間は赤ん坊のときは四つんばいで、それから２本の足で歩くようになり、最後は年をとって杖が必要になる。
It crawls on all fours as a baby, then learns to walk on two legs, and
finally needs a cane in old age.

あなたが早くよくなるように祈っています。
We are hoping for your quick recovery.

--- Comments ---
ように has a meaning of 'to do' or 'so that one can do' which I guess would
include 'become.' The first example can literally be translated as 'For
that reason, I want to do so that I can speak better English.'

My second example follows that vein.
(contributor: bamboo4)

Um, this might be of use but it's especially for the youni NARU -sentence
pattern. But it said in the comments of the 'youninaru' that this grammar
entry would do, so...One of the possible usages of ように:

ようになる expresses a change that takes place gradually.

With verbs:

Vdic + you ni naru= 'reach the point where~'/'come to~'

子供は自分で部屋を片付けるようになりました。
(My) child has reached the point where she cleans her room herself.

Vneg + you ni naru= 'reach the point where ~not'

林さんはたばこを吸わないようになる。
Mr.Hayashi has reached the point where he does not smoke.

*Vdic= Verb, dictionary form

---

Besides なる, there's also する and 言う verbs that can be connected with
ように to create more specific meanings...Did some of these have their own
entries...? (contributor: Naino)

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Friday, November 16, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜であれ (deare)

〜であれ (deare) - No matter what; Even if; No matter how

--- Notes ---
Same meaning as 'Tatoe~temo'. Written. Formal.

see http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html

--- Examples ---
社長であれ規則はまもらないといけない
Even the company president has to obey the rules.

投票は海外に住んでいる人であれするべきだ
Voting is something that you have to do, even if you live abroad.

あなたの職業がなんであれ、また、その職業にどんなに満足していても、何かほかの仕事を選べばよかったと思うときがあるものだ。

No matter what your profession, or how happy you may be in it, there are
moments when you wish you had chosen some other career.

たとえ天候がどうであれ、私は行きます。
I will go, be the weather what it may.

ドアの所にいる人が誰であれ、待つように言ってください。
Whoever is at the door, please ask him to wait.

--- Comments ---
Please, think to the people who have a hardtime understandin japanes
writing and put the example also in romanji. Thank you. (contributor:
futaro)

I am not able to read kanjis... (contributor: uetaki)

This example is JLPT level 1. It is formal and WRITTEN grammar.

Just click on the example and you will get a tranlastion into hiragana from
the Edict dictionary.

If you can't read hiragana, you will find studying advanced written grammar
a little hard... (contributor: blabby)

Is this just like a formal version of　「だって」、As
in,　アメリカ人だってご飯を食べますよ。

Hmm actually that's not right, is it. I guess it's more like でも or
であっても, yeah? (contributor: rogen)

From what I have studied so far であれ has a similar meaning to
であっても　and　でも (contributor: evdsluys)

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - にもまして (nimomashite)

にもまして (nimomashite) - above everything; more than before

--- Examples ---
トムはいまや以前にもまして勤勉に働いている。
Tom works more diligently now.

何ものにもまして私は健康になりたい。
Above all, I want to be healthy.

彼は以前にもまして勉強しようと決めたのです。
He decided to study harder.

彼は何物にもまして名誉を重んじる。
He values honor above anything else.

その花は色が美しいのにもまして、香りが素晴らしい。
This flowers color is beautiful. However, the scent is even more
beautiful.

--- Comments ---
how is this different from　より？ (contributor: dc)

にも+まして（増して）is similar to より here.
I feel　にもまして is more emphasized than より in telling the difference.
(contributor: Miki)

is this a written only word? (contributor: dc)

「AにもましてBは〜だ」
= A is 〜 but B is even more 〜.
= Aも〜だが、さらにBの方が上だ。 (contributor: blabby)

Is this almost like TORIWAKE ?? (contributor: naimononedari)

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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - ずもがな(=�ｳくもがな ) (zumogana)

ずもがな(=無くもがな ) (zumogana) - Vn, As well not to ~

--- Examples ---
サッカーで日本が勝って、韓国人の金さんがどんな気持ちかなんて、そんなこと、言わずもがなのことだよ。
Japan wins at football, it's a thing you don't even need to ask about to
know how the Korean Mr. Kim feels.

新しい電気製品なんて、買わずもがなで、買うとろくなものがない。
New eletronic gadgets - Pah! - as well not to buy them, if you do then
nothing good will come of it.

あの人の書く文章には無くもがなといえる言葉が多い。
In his writings, there are a number of words which might better have been
left out.

--- Comments ---
Two general uses, 1. Something doesn't need doing / saying. (contributor:
Amatuka)

2. Something should not be done / said (contributor: Amatuka)

NOTE: This is /relatively/ low usage in modern Japanese - but appeared on
2000 JLPT level 1. (contributor: Amatuka)

I agree with NOTE. I asked J co-workers if they use 買わずもがな, I was
asked the meanings. I know only 言わずもがな. (contributor: Miki)

Formed by V-nai base + ずもがな
e.g. 買う→買わない→買わずもがな

Vn = V-nai base (contributor: Amatuka)

もがな dates bqck to the Heian era, and it means that what precedes もがな
would be the desire of the speaker. It is an archaic Japanese which only
finds its use in some set expressions, such as 言わずもがな,which literally
would mean 'I desire that I do not say that' that would include the case of
my regret for having said what I said.
My 広辞苑 shows the following:
あらずもがな、言わずもがな、無くもがな、やらずもがな and 由もがな.
While 買わずもがな is grammatically correct, I am not sure if it is
actually used.
In any event, except perhaps 言わずもがな, all other instances of the use
of もがな are pretty archaic.

(contributor: bamboo4)

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Today's Economics

Volume 45
11/13/2007

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Yellow Fever Grips India
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Gold Bull Market Just Beginning as Gold surges Toward $2000/oz.
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"Predicting a US$1,000 price for gold seems modest?In fact, we don't even think US$2,000 is all that outrageous.."

US Dollar Devaluation Signals Risk of Hyperinflation
Captain Hook | Oct 30, 2007 | View It
"Behind the scenes the Fed is all too aware the economy is in recession."

Central Bank Gold Sales, 2007-08
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - をよそに (woyosoni)

をよそに (woyosoni) - Without consideration for... / Despite... / Without
thinking...

--- Notes ---
Noun + をよそに

Aは　Bをよそに Cする。- 'Despite B, A did C.'

--- Examples ---
彼は大学入試をよそに、毎日パソコンに興じてる。
Despite having university entrance exams soon, he's wasting his time on
the computer every day.

親の心配をよそに遊んでばかりいる。
Without considering that his parents might be worried, he always slacks
off.

中国人の反対の声をよそに、小泉総理は靖国神社に参拝してしまいました。
Without respect for the protests from China, Mr Koizumi visited Yasukuni
Shrine.

--- Comments ---
I think this grammar might be related to 他所/よそ/'A different place'. For
example '他所の人' - 'Stranger'.

I know this kanji is not used often, but is this relationship correct?
(contributor: blabby)

I think so.
#5495 Looks 文字化け. 毎日???に興じてる。 (contributor: Miki)

Thanks for pointing that out Miki. For some reason sometimes just one or
two Kanji become 文字化け. Im not sure if its this site or my computer...
(contributor: blabby)

blabby - what browser and OS are you using? it might be because your
browser is not sending pages in the right encoding. sometimes multi-byte
items can get chewed up. (contributor: dc)

よそに or 余所に means 'treating as if it is somehwere unrelated.'
(contributor: bamboo4)

Hi DC, I'm using Windows XP SP2 English version with microsoft IME 2002
version 8.1. I am using firefox v1.0.6. If nobody else has problems then it
is probably just my computer. Its not a big problem, Ill just have to check
my examples a lot. (contributor: blabby)

should the note read 'Despite B, A did C'? (contributor: yookoso)

Whoops, thanks yookoso. I mixed up A and B. Fixed! (contributor: blabby)

よそに=ものともせず？？ (contributor: サリル)

よそに and ものともせず is not equal.
よそに implys neglecting/(despite) B, A did C.
ものともせず implyes overcome obstacles and do something. in defiance of
[~womonotomosezuni]
(contributor: Miki)

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Monday, November 12, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - によって (niyotte-2)

によって (niyotte-2) - depending on

--- Examples ---
天気によっては来ます
depending on the weather, i will come

結果によっては採用しないことがあります。
Depending upon the outcome, you may not be hired.

天気によっては中止することがあります。
Depending upon the weather, the event may be cancelled.

--- Comments ---
天気によって来ます is weird. It should be '天気次第で行きます.'
(contributor: bamboo4)

how about
　天気によっては来ます (contributor: dc)

If you say 天気によっては来ます,it is very likely that you are talking
about some third party or things. Like in Nikko, there are many monkeys,
and you can say that to indicate that those monkeys will show up depending
on the weather.

If you are talking about yourself, it is normal to say
天気によってはゆきます or 天気によっては帰って来ます but one do not
normally see 来ます very often.

(contributor: bamboo4)

erm, sorry my encoding messed up again, that first line should be 'saiyou
shinai _koto_ ga arimasu'

delete button doesn't seem to work :(
(contributor: Snake)

snake hiya - deleted your mojibake post above... dunno why your delete btn
is not working - are you logged in?
also the encoding, i haven't seen probs with. what browser/OS are you on?
(contributor: dc)

dc, I cannot delete my comment, too. When I am logged off, I cannot see
delete btn.　でしょ？ (contributor: Miki)

I could delete an example I added. (contributor: Miki)

yes, you can only delete your own comments - so you have to be logged in so
the system knows which are yours! otherwise an anonymous user could come in
and delete everything... (contributor: dc)

I was logged in, and i tried it again just then logged in, but no go. I'm
using Opera though.. gomen
ブラウザによっては削除出来ないことがあります（＾＾；
(contributor: Snake)

dang. that would class as a bug then. might be Opera cookie/session
handling. I recommend firefox but IE seems OK too. (contributor: dc)

Firefox cannot handle Japanese fonts. (contributor: bamboo4)

ex1309 天気によっては来ます can also be used such when you were at a
gathering and asked if you comes to next gathering.　
一郎：「次回はきますか？」Will you come next time?
花子：「天気によっては来ます。」 (contributor: Miki)

I use Firefox and have had no problems with japanese fonts..? (contributor:
dc)

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Sunday, November 11, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜ほど (hodo)

〜ほど (hodo) - the more... the more... as along with

--- Examples ---
寒いほどおいしい酒が出来ると言われている
the colder it is the more delicious sake can become, it is said

彼は口も利けないほど腹を立てていた。
He could not speak, he was so angry.

ドアが閉まらないほど込んでます。
It is so crowded, the door cannot be closed

一日では食べきれないほどのリンゴがある。
We have more apples than we could eat in a day.

この英語の小説は、君が一週間で読めるほどやさしくない。
This English novel is not easy enough for you to read in a week.

この家具のほうが比較にならないほど上等である。
This furniture is superior beyond comparison.

この果物は摘み取られるほど成長していない。
This fruit has not ripened enough to be picked.

この仕事は死ぬほどしんどい。
This job is killing me.

愛するものを失う（こと）ほどつらいことはない。
Nothing is as terrible as losing someone you love.

この店は僕が望んでいるほど遅くまで開いていない。
This store doesn't stay open as late as I'd like.

この薬は鼻水に不思議なほどよく効く。
This medicine will do wonders for a runny nose.

これまで訪れた中で、エベレストほど美しい山を見たことがない。
In all my travels I've never seen a more beautiful mountain than Everest.

そう言う訳で、私は彼を死ぬほど憎んでいる。
That's why I have such an extreme hatred for him.

そのコーヒーは私が飲めないほど熱かった。
The coffee was too hot for me to drink.

あの店はこちらの都合に合わせるほど遅くまでやっていない。
That shop does not stay open as late as would suit my convenience.

--- Comments ---
In the second example, 閉まらないほど would be 'cannot be closed' instead
of opened.
In the third example, 'can be made' assumes possibility of human
intervention, whereas 出来る denies that. So, the English should be 'can
become' instead of 'can be made.' (contributor: bamboo4)

ex. 666 and 1211 seem different from 263.
The first two have the effect coming before ほど.. can not speakほどangry.
can not openほどcrowded.
Example 263 seems backwards, but is similar to the explanation for
〜ば〜ほど.
Could someone explain the first two examples, please? (contributor:
gtunak85)

To add to that, the first two examples, ほど has the effect of 'such that.'
Such that he could not speak, he was angry.
Such that the door could not be closed, it was crowded.
Does that soudn right? (contributor: gtunak85)

I think it is smoother if the English versions of the first two examples
read:
He was so angry that he could hardly speak.
It was so crowded that the door cluld not be closed.
(contributor: bamboo4)

お酒 would be 冷たい (tsumetai) not 寒い (samui), wouldn't it? I get this
one confused a lot--based on situation, so I thought I'd ask to clarify.
(contributor: jpeppel)

Yes, but this is not talking about the sake itself - but the environment in
which it is made... from the icy north comes delicious sake... ってこと？
(contributor: anon)

or possibly depending on context: in cold weather hot sake tastes more
delicious? (contributor: anon)

出来る cannot have the connotation of 'taste more delicious.' (contributor:
bamboo4)

but isn't this talking about 'making' お酒 as opposed to tasting, as
mentioned above (...from the icy north comes delicious sake)? (contributor:
jj)

i think the entry meaning should be ' so〜(such)that...' for ' 〜ほど '
'the more... , the more ...'　should be the entry for '〜ば〜ほど ' ,
therefore any examples with the meaning ' the more... the more...' should
be moved to the corresponding entry, to avoid confusion. お願い致します
(contributor: 誠)

会場にあふれるほど、ギターを持った若者が集まっていた

戦争ほど悲惨なものはない

Have these ほど　the same meaning? ?_? (contributor: Lucia06)

I think 'extent' is the best single-word equivalent for ほど. It fits with
most of the example sentences above. (contributor: Sumofan)

I agree with Sumofan. I found this sentence in a song:
飽きるほど　でんわした. I called until I got tired of calling.
(contributor: pingpongpaddle)

I also learned that 'extent' or 'as much as' is a good representation for
ほど.

Also, I once read a Japan Times piece about the set phrase
それほどではありません。Apparently, it is good to use whenever you want to
respond humbly to a compliment (e.g. about how good your lousy Japanese
is). (contributor: yookoso)

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Saturday, November 10, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜っぱなし (ppanashi)

〜っぱなし (ppanashi) - Keep ~ing / To leave ~

--- Notes ---
Verb(ます形) + っぱなし

--- Examples ---
新幹線の中では、東京から青森まで３時間立ちっぱなしだった。足が痛くなっちゃった！
On the shinkansen from Toukyou to Aomori I kept standing up for 3 hours. My
feet hurt!

ここに置きっぱなしにしちゃダメでしょ。
Hey, you can't leave your things here.

ゴミを散らかしっぱなしにしないでね。
Don't drop your rubbish about, ok.

友達のビデオが借りっぱなしだ。早く返さなくちゃ。
I borrowed my friends video and didn't return it. I'd better return it
soon.

--- Comments ---
This is a rare case of 一級 grammar that I hear in every day conversation.
I learnt this when I was still a beginner. I think it has a similar
meaning to '〜たまま'. (contributor: blabby)

It is a colloqual form of 放し, meaning doing something and leave it at
that.It has a lot more emphasis than ...たままにする. (contributor:
bamboo4)

How can I know how must I read the kanji, if in on yomi or kunyomi.
For example: in n° 5446 is:
koko ni 'TE' ki ppanachi
or
koko ni 'OKU' ki ppanachi?
It is very difficult for people who don´t know japanese very well.
(contributor: Futaro)

It's not that difficult.
The fact that there's a hiragana 'ki' after it tells you that it should be
'oki'. This has nothing to do with this grammar though... (contributor:
kryptolus)

It's common practice that in compounds you'll be using onyomi.
(contributor: Cacawate)

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Friday, November 9, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - にかかわる (nikakawaru)

にかかわる (nikakawaru) - affects; relates to; a matter of

--- Notes ---
名詞/noun+にかかわる+名詞

--- Examples ---
ああいう行動は君の名誉にかかわる。
That kind of behaviour affects your honour.

こういう行いは君の威信にかかわる。
Such conduct is beneath your dignity.

これは我が校の名誉にかかわる問題だ。
The problem affects the honor of our school.

それは生死にかかわる問題だ。
It is a matter of life and death.

よく注意して運転しないと、命にかかわるよ。
If you drive with anything less than extreme caution, you're risking your
life.

酸素が不足することは大部分の動物にとって命にかかわることである。
Lack of oxygen is fatal to most animals.

私たちは狂気のテロ活動にかかわる者に寛容でいるつもりはない。
We will not tolerate anyone who engages in insane terrorism.

製品仕様にかかわる一切の工業所有権はＡＢＣ社に帰属するものとする。
Any industrial property rights relating to the Product Specification shall
belong to ABC Inc.

戦争は我々すべてにかかわることだ。
War concerns us all.

名誉にかかわる問題なので、彼は怒った。
He got angry because his honor was at stake.

命にかかわるような病気ではありません。
The illness is not a matter of life or death.

--- Comments ---
is this a formal version 関係? (contributor: dc)

The opposite to this is にかかわらず which is ２級 grammar. (contributor:
blabby)

The kanji is 関わる (contributor: Nanashi)

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Thursday, November 8, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - かけた (kaketa)

かけた (kaketa) - started but not finished

--- Notes ---
~kakeru is for verbs:
言いかけ　（いいかけ）
In the middle of saying something

本を読みかけて、寝てしまいました
I fell asleep with the book half read.

~kakeno is a modifier for nouns (eg. tabekake no ringo)
食べかけのりんご
A half-eaten apple

~kake da comes at the end of a sentence
where だ is derived from です
書きかけだ
it is in the middle of being written

--- Examples ---
作文は今日中に書かなければならないのにまだ書きかけだ。
the essay has to be finished by today, but I am still in the middle of
writing it.

読みかけた。
I am in the process of reading it.

完全に忘れている。読んだ（いや、読みかけた）ことは、確かなのに。
I've totally forgotten (them). Even though it's certain that I've read
(no, well, started to read,) them.

冷蔵庫の中にある飲みかけの物を捨てて下さい。
please throw away the half-drunk things in the fridge.

この食べかけのお弁当はだれの？
This in the middle of being eaten bento box is who's?

ケーキを食べかけた時に、電話が掛かって来た。
Just as I was about to eat the cake, the phone rang.

おぼれかけた人は息を吹き返した。
The man who nearly drowned began to breath.

その子供は車にひかれかけた。
The child was nearly run over by a car.

半分忘れかけた音楽が彼の心の中で踊りました。
Half-forgotten music danced through his mind.

彼が何かを言いかけたが先手を打ってやった。
He started to say something, but I beat him to it.

彼が倒れかけた時私は彼の腕をつかんだ。
I caught him by the arm before he could fall.

彼が眠りかけたとき名前が呼ばれるのを耳にした。
He was about to fall asleep, when he heard his name called.

彼はその仕事に飽きて、やりかけたままで放っておいた。
He got tired of the work, and left it half-done.

--- Comments ---
書きかけた is incorrect, and should be 書きかけだ.
(contributor: bamboo4)

飲みかけた is incorrect and should be 飲みかけの (contributor: bamboo4)

読みかけた means 'just started to read' and does not have the context of
'I didn't finish reading it' which would be 読み終えなかった.
(contributor: bamboo4)

corrections made, thanks! (contributor: dc)

書きかけた does seem to be a valid (if low) usage - 3,000 Google hits
compared to
(書きかけ　-書きかけた)'s 27,600.
Do 飲みかけ, 書きかけ etc belong in the same entry as 読みかけた ?
(contributor: Amatuka)

I suppose 読みかけた doesn't have the nuance of 読み終えなかった - because
that would imply that you probably aren't going to finish it.
(contributor: Amatuka)

Presumably they are all based on
かける (aux-v,v1) to turn on; to dial (e.g. phone); to start doing
something (but not finish) (contributor: Amatuka)

Maybe this entry should be changed to 'かける - To start (but not finish)
something' with the noun + past tense verb form noted in comments.
(contributor: Amatuka)

I think this has two meanings:
1. to start (but not finish)
2. to almost start (contributor: dc)

also
食べかけた（時に、、、）
is different from
食べかけの+noun (contributor: dc)

食べかけの is simply the noun form of 食べかける with の acting as a
modifier. I think there is no difference in meaning between
'食べかけたケーキ' and '食べかけのケーキ' (although the latter is much more
common). (contributor: your name)

as someone else pointed out the かけた in 話しかけた　is nothing to do with
this grammar, it's a set phrase
彼は私に話しかけた。
'he started to talk to me' (contributor: dc)

this might fall into a category of verb endings, including -dashita
(contributor: dc)

I'm still not convinced of 'to almost start' as distinct from 'to start
(but not finish)' although there are cases where both could be used in
translations of sentences using かけた. (contributor: Amatuka)

私はケーキを食べかけた should be 私が (contributor: bamboo4)

Made the change by deleting 私は in #1612. Not need in the context.
(contributor: bamboo4)

The english in ex#1082 is really awkward. I think it should be 'Whose is
this half-eaten bento box?' (contributor: CorDarei)

you're right, that is a literal translation...trying to keep the same order
as the japanese. out of style i guess on this site, so i moved it to the
notes section. (contributor: dc)

not yet tho! (contributor: dc)

what would you say this means kaketa arnou i have taken the spelling off
something heard so it is probably incorect
(contributor: rudy)

This is a Level 2 grammar point. (contributor: Olivier)

の in 食べかけの is a nominalizer, which makes a noun phrase out of
食べかけ(started to eat but not yet finished). (contributor: bamboo4)

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 依頼 (irai)

依頼 (irai) - Request or commission

--- Notes ---
The example has little to do with 依頼 word :-) It is actually the
'contents' of a certain request.

Here's another example:
弁護士に依頼する
Hire a lawyer / Ask a lawyer to represent one.

--- Examples ---
引き続き、ご指導、ご鞭撻の程をどうぞ宜しくお願いもうし上げます。
I am counting on your continued support and guidance.

--- Comments ---
To tell you the truth, I was expecting this entry to be about 以来, really.
Is this entry even really grammar-related? (contributor: Cone)

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Today's Economics

Volume 44
11/06/2007

In this issue

• Main Articles
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Main Articles

Supply/Demand Dynamics May Trigger Quantum Upward Change in Gold Price
Dorothy Kosich | Nov 5, 2007 | View It
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Gold to Set New Record Highs by Christmas
Chris Hart | Nov 5, 2007 | View It
"In 2007 dollars the $850 level would translate to $2,280/oz."

They Have Got to Be Kidding
Peter Schiff | Nov 1, 2007 | View It
"My guess is that inflation is actually running at an annualized rate closer to 10%."

Silver Update
Roland Watson | Nov 4, 2007 | View It
"Can silver go from $15 to $40 in a matter of months? Well it is possible . . ."

The Gold Price and War in the Mid-East
Cliff Droke | Nov 4, 2007 | View It
". . .'a priming we shall go' will be the tune the Fed sings as the next phase of Middle East war gets underway."

Refer-A-Friend For a Chance to Win $50,000

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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - ものを (monowo)

ものを (monowo) - But...! / But If (you) had just... / But (I) could
have...

--- Notes ---
Verb(普通形) + ものを

This grammar is almost always in the form of 〜ば〜ものを。
Sometimes it becomes 'もんを' in casual speech.

〜ものを：　（．．．だったら）〜のに　（実際は〜でなくて残念だという気持ち）
If only ... had.... , then....would..

--- Examples ---
知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてもいいものを。
If you knew, why didn't you tell me!?

人手が足りなかったんですって？ちょっと連絡してくれれば、手伝ってあげたものを。
You didn't have enough people? If you had just called me, I would have
helped you.

インターネットで予約すれば簡単にすむものを、彼女は国際電話をかけたんだって。
If she had just used the internet, she could have easily made the
reservation, but she made an international call.

本当のことを言えばいいものを、彼は嘘をついて信用を失ってしまった。
He should have told the truth, but he lied and lost their trust.

--- Comments ---
This can often be replaced with 〜のに
早く言えばよかったのに。
早く言えばよかったものを。

This is used to express the speakers moderate disappointment or regret.
(contributor: blabby)

Isn't ものを　always used with 〜た形?
Because, ものを is 'but...' where something regrettable happened , and
couldn't/almost impossible to be recovered from. (contributor: 誠)

So, i feel ex#5494 is better to be :
本当のことを言えばよかったものを、彼は嘘をついて信用を失ってしまった。or
彼は嘘をついて信用が失われてしまった。本当のことを言えばよかったものを。
(contributor: 誠)

ex#5493　は同じです。
インタ−ネットで予約すれば簡単に済んだものを、彼女は国際電話をかけたんだって。or
彼女は国際電話をかけたんだって。インタ−ネットで予約すれば簡単に済んだものを。
(contributor: 誠)

ex#5491 知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてもよかったものを。'If you had
known, it would be OK even you told me.'(But now it means not OK to the
speaker since before this , the listener DIDN'T KNOW about that particular
thing and told the speaker about it already.) Sounds strange to me, unless
the speaker wanted it to be known to him at that particular time , in that
case :
あの時知れば、教えてくれてもよかったものを。

Is better to say :
知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてよかったものを。or
(君が）知っていて教えてくれればよかったものを。'It would be nice if you had
known and told me.'

I think if you wanted to say :
' If you have known, why didn't you tell me?' (Of agony) :
知ってるのであれば、どうして教えてくれなかったのよ．．

'If you have known, isn't it ok to tell me?' :
知ってるのであれば、教えてくれてもいいんじゃない（か）。 (contributor: 誠)

You have to keep in mind that ものを is not a conversational phrase, and it
is predominantly literal diction. (contributor: bamboo4)

I don't thinsk it always used with 〜た形。blabby's exmples are all natural
to me.
(contributor: Miki)

Miki and blabby are right. It doesn't have to be 〜た形. (contributor:
tmkain)

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Monday, November 5, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - にあって (niatte)

にあって (niatte) - being in/due to/suited to

--- Notes ---
Noun + にあって
　混乱期にあって
　幼児期にあって

often used to with situation that has a time span. 'At the time that' or
'under the circumstances of...'

にあって＝に＋ある→いる

いる to be: → 'being in'

--- Examples ---
As an infant, he underwent a stressful situation.
幼児期にあって心に受けた傷は

この核時代にあっては、世界中どこの国だって安全ではない。
No country under the sun is safe in this nuclear age.

その行いが神にあってなされたことが明らかにされるためである。」
So that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through
God.

その宝はまだ森の中にあって、そこの木の下に埋めてある。
The treasure is still in the forest, where it is buried under a tree.

それは信じるものはみな、人の子にあって永遠の命を持つためです。
That every one who believes in him may have eternal life.

自然がいつもそこにあって私たちを助けてくれることを当然だと思ってはいけない。
on't take it for granted that the nature is always there to help us.

日本は完全に近代化したという点で、アジア諸国の中にあって独特の存在である。
Japan is unique among the Asian countries in having modernized completely.

彼の家は丘の中腹にあって、見晴らしがすばらしい。
His house stands on the hill-side and commands a splendid view.

彼は混乱のただ中にあっても冷静だ。
He is cool amid confusion.

彼女のドレスは私の趣味にあっていない。
Her dress is not to my taste.

豊かさの中にあっても餓死する人がいるのは残念なことである。
It is a pity that some people starve to death even in the midst of plenty.

数学は高度情報社会にあって、必要な教養となっている。
Mathematics, in such a highly information orientated society is a necessary
field of study.　

--- Comments ---
related to a situation.. 状況にあって (contributor: dc)

I think it usually にあっては, which is similar to においては or では
but still とあって is usedin this form: tell the circumstances.
(contributor: dc)

#4237, #4239 These sentences come from ヨハネの福音書 3 (John 3).
(contributor: Miki)

#5081, #5082, #5083, #5084, #5086, #5090, #5092, #5093, #5095 are not for
this entry.
に + a form of あう
(contributor: Miki)

#5091 is missing 'my'. 彼女のドレスは_私／自分の趣味にあっていない。
(contributor: Miki)

corrected/deleted. will remove comments soon too. (contributor: dc)

I assume that example #4234 should read as follow:
児時期にあって心に受けた傷は、生涯トラウマとして心に残りつずけるそうだ。
(contributor: Olivier)

Olivier, It shouldn't be 児時期. 幼児期 youjiki is fine.
つづける　続ける
But English says something like
幼児期にあって、彼はストレスの多い状況を経験した。
(contributor: Miki)

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Sunday, November 4, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - ならでは (naradeha)

ならでは (naradeha) - but, except, without, but for

--- Notes ---
implies a special characteristic, or something that is unique to (that type
of person)

Almost always seems to be used like

noun +ならでは + の + noun

○　あの人ならではの能力
×　あの人ならではできる

--- Examples ---
あの人ならではこのような文章を書けなかっただろう。
No one could have written such a prose as this one except him.

あの人ならではとてもこの仕事はできない。
Noone but he would be equal to this task.

こんな美味しい料理は母親ならではのものです。
no one but mother could have made such delicious food.

その辞書ならではの特徴
characteristic of the dictionary

この季節ならではの感じなのかもしれない。
a feeling special to this season perhaps

地方ならではの魅力的な仕事
A charming type of work specific to the region

うるさいマスターならではの料理は、どれも新鮮で、うまいっ
Especially for the fussy 'master' (husband?) anything fresh and tasty.

y限定・入手困難】の入荷に強い当社ならではの商品力とプライスに必ずご満足頂けると思います。
With that company's stress on limited edition and hard to obtain goods, you
are sure to be satisfied. (bad trans)

こんな新しい発想はあのデザイナーならではのものです。
Such a new conception is something only of that designer.

--- Comments ---
ならでは is equal to でなくては.
(contributor: bamboo4)

#5012 I think this would be better Japanese.
こんなおいしい料理は、母親ならではのものです。
or　こんなおいしい料理は母親でなくては作れない。
母親ならでは作られない。is somewhat not natural for me. (contributor: Miki)

I agree, Miki-san. (contributor: bamboo4)

changed. (contributor: dc)

is this a little like 「のことだから」
弘子のことだから、遅れました。
its hiroko of course, so she was late. (contributor: dc)

It is not like 弘子のことだから, which means 'as it is usual for Hiroko.'
Accordingly, you would not say 弘子のことだから、遅れました, but you would
say 弘子のことだから、遅れるでしょう. In other words, we use that
expression for prediction rather than description of what actually took
place. If you want to say 'HIroko was late, as usual,' you would say
例によって(いつもの通り）、弘子は遅れてきた.
(contributor: bamboo4)

dc
You can also say : 弘子はいつも通りに遅れてきた (contributor: 誠)

So would it be correct to say that in cases where ならでは isn't followed
by の it will always be followed by a phrase containing a negative verb?
(contributor: Sumofan)

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Saturday, November 3, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 果たして (hatashite)

果たして (hatashite) - really, as was expected

--- Examples ---
果たして本当だろうか？
Is it really true?

果たしてまた会うことができるだろうか。
Would we ever meet again?

彼は果たして成功した。
He succeeded as I had expected that he would.

あいつは果たして失敗した。
That guy failed, as I had expected that he would.

あなたの言う事が果たして事実なのか調べてみよう。
We will check to see what you have said is really the truth.

だめだろうと思っていたが果たして失敗だった。
I was afraid it would not work out well and sure enough it failed.

経営陣は果たして本気で我々のボーナスについて考えようとしてるのか、それとも単に口先だけだったのだろうか。
Is management really going to consider our bonus, or was that just lip
service?

好むと好まざるとにかかわらず、コンピューターが、われわれの生活の中で重要な役割を果たしていることは確かである。
Computers are certainly playing an important role in our life, whether we
like it or not.

国会は本来の機能を十分には果たしてはいない。
The Diet is not fully functioning as such.

最後のお金を使い果たして彼は絶望していた。
He was in despair when he spent the last of his money.

私達は石炭を使い果たしてしまった。
We have used up the coal.

自然は我々の生活に大切な役割を果たしています。
Nature plays an important role in our life.

実際にこれらの目標を実現するのに欠くべからざる役割を果たしてきた。
These bodies have actually played indispensable roles in attaining these
goals.

人はちゃんと自分の役割を果たしていたもの。
People carried their own weight then.

水を使い果たしてしまった。
We've run out of water.

戦争が国の資源と労働力を使い果たしてしまった。
War bankrupted the nation's resources and manpower.

選挙公約を果たしてくれない政治家がいる。
Some politicians never make good on campaign promises.

日本は、世界経済の中で主な役割を果たしている。
Japan plays a key role in the world economy.

彼はハワイでお金を使い果たしてしまった。
His money melted away in Hawaii.

彼らはすぐに買っておいた食料品を使い果たしてしまった。
They soon used up their food supplies.

--- Comments ---
Is this similar to ? (contributor: anonymous)

Yes, I think so as for ex#3100 and #3101.
While ex#1187 and #3099 imply a slight suspicious mind or assumption. So
these are similar to hontouni 本当に. (contributor: Miki)

使い果たして seems to be a frequent set phrase meaning to 'use up;
exhaust'. Is this related to hatashite as a grammar construct? ie the
implication is 'used up as we expected' ? (contributor: dc)

plz told us!!!!!!!!!!!! (contributor: semoo)

ex#4265- #4277 these 果たす are different meaning from the entry.
(contributor: Miki)

Those 使い果たす examples do not belong here.They should be set up in a
separate head.
(contributor: bamboo4)

In response to dc's question...
There are 2 uses with slightly different essence:
1. as we expected
2. to accomplish, finish
You can see that accomplish and as we expected have similarities.
(contributor: christ)

For this item of grammar, 果たして is to be used as the adverb of the
sentense. 果たす,使い果たす are verb so they are out of scope.
(contributor: kikkoro)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=hatashite

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Friday, November 2, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜尽くめ (zukume)

〜尽くめ (zukume) - Full of / A lot of

--- Notes ---
Noun + ずくめだ。
Noun + ずくめ + の + Noun

--- Examples ---
その学校は規則ずくめだ。
That school is full of rules.

幸せずくめに見えた彼女にも人知れぬ悩みがあったんだね。
The girl that seemed full of happiness even had hidden worries.

彼は全身黒ずくめだった。
He was wearing all black.

日本語能力試験の一級も無事合格したし、今年はいいことずくめだった。
I managed to pass JLPT level 1 with no problems, this year was full of so
many good things.

--- Comments ---
Similar in some ways to 'だらけ' and 'まみれ' and it seems to have the same
meaning as '全て〜ばかり' or '〜ばかりたくさんある'.
It often has the form of Adjective+こと+ずくめ
(contributor: blabby)

ずくめ also written 尽くめ added to a noun means 100% so.But there are a
lot of nouns and noun phrases which to do accept ずくめ.
(contributor: bamboo4)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=zukume

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