Monday, December 31, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - まして〜は�クがない (mashite〜hazuganai)

まして〜はずがない (mashite〜hazuganai) - it is even more unlikely that 〜


--- Examples ---
大人でさえ知らない事は、 まして子供は知っているはずがない。
It is even more unlikely/it is impossible for children to know things that
even adults don't know.

大人でさえ知らないし、まして子供は知っているはずがない
Even adutls also have no idea about it, it is even more unlikely for/it is
impossible for/let alone of children to know about it

--- Comments ---
In #5844, 大人でさえ知らない事は should be changed to read:
大人でさえ知らないし (contributor: bamboo4)

The English is wonky. How about 'It is impossible for children to know
about this matter that even adults don't know.'? For bamboo4's suggestion:
'Even adults don't know about this thing, so it's impossible that children
would know it.' (contributor: nanashi)

ありがとう,
bamboo さん and nanashi さん. I just noticed the awkwardness of the
English translation.
bamboo is correct if it follows the English translation precisely. So is
nanashi .
' It is even more unlikely for children to know about this matter that even
adults don't know' (contributor: 誠)

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - ひとり〜だ�ッでなく (hitori-dakedenaku)

ひとり〜だけでなく (hitori-dakedenaku) -


--- Examples ---
最近のロンドン爆破テロは、ひとりイギリスだけではなく世界の問題です。
The recent terrorism in London is not simply England's problem, it involves
the whole world.

いじめや不登校問題は、ひとり教育の現場だけでなく大きな社会問題となっております。
Bullying and school refusal becam not only in the field of education but
also major social problem

義務兵役制度は
ひとり台湾、ドイツだけでなくデンマーク、オーストリアなど全世界20カ
国で長い歴史を持っています。
Compulsory military services have a long history and are being implemented
not only in Taiwan and Germany, but in 20 countries around the world
including Denmark and Austria.

--- Comments ---
A good translation could be 'Not simply', 'Not just' or 'Not merely'. What
do you all think?

This grammar is equal to ひとり〜のみならず. (contributor: blabby)

ただ単に (contributor: Miki)

does 不登校's school refusal mean skipping school? aka playing hookey?
(contributor: purple gloomy)

Yes, in one way. 不登校 also means someone refuses to go to shool due to
psychological reason. (contributor: Miki)

It seems like 'not the only'. Maybe 'not just' is best? Can it be used in
the context of 'not the only factor/reason'? (contributor: Reality Bytes)

'Bullying and school refusal becam not only in the field of education but
also major social problem.' -- This is not a good translation.

I suggest the following:

'Things like bullying and truancy are not only problems of the field of
education; they have become major social problems.' (contributor: thekaje)

I think truancy is a better translation for 不登校. skipping school has its
own word サボする。 IE To sabatoge yourself, by skipping class.
(contributor: tigert)

A little off the grammar topic, delving into questions of vocab..... but
while truancy and skipping are good suggestions, they don't quite cover it.
As the example suggests this is a 'special phenomenon' in Japan that is
considered to be becoming a real social problem (aren't they special?). It
refers to a situation where a student refuses to attend school at all - As
in, they lock themselves in their room and never go out. It is not a
singular event, but an ongoing and open-ended one. Dropping out/drop outs
would probably be the most appropriate translation. (contributor: samboki)

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Saturday, December 29, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - あればこそ (arebakoso)

あればこそ (arebakoso) - particularly thanks to


--- Examples ---
皆様の協力があればこそ無事故で完工できたことを感謝しております。
I'm thankful to you all, it's because of all of your support that it has
been possible to complete construction without incident.

きものを着ると言う行為は、洋服以上に全身の筋肉を事細かに使うことにも驚かされます。何事もほんとうに健康であればこそですね。

Wearing a kimono , rather than wearing Western clothes even if you don't
use it much, can be something very stressing on your muscles.
But i guess it's all possible particularly thanks to having good health
right?

エア切れで20メートルの深度からエアエンボにもかからず浮上できたのも、日頃の訓練あればこそでした。
The fact that I could surface from the depth of 20 meters after running out
of air without suffering air embolism could only be attributed to the
constant training I went through.

私にはその仕事がやさしいとわかった。前にもそんな仕事をしたことがあればこそだ。
I found the work easy, for I had done that kind of work before.

あなたのためを思えばこそ、厳しくしているのだ。
Because I am especially thinking about your wellbeing, I am strict.

頭がよければこその悩みですね。
Especially becuase she is smart, she worries about such things.

優勝できたのは、チーム全員も協力あればこそだ。
The fact that it can win is, if cooperation there is also team everyone,
very.

--- Comments ---
Hmm, I could have done a smoother job on that translation. (contributor:
Amatuka)

NOTE that the construction is /past tense/ but あればこそ (as a set phrase)
can still be used. (contributor: Amatuka)

See also ある, こそ and ーば verb form. (contributor: Amatuka)

Appeared in 2000 JLPT level 1 (contributor: Amatuka)

Normally, you would say あったからこそ in #517.
(contributor: bamboo4)

ex#517 When you change the word order, it sounds natural.
無事故で完工できたのも、皆様の協力が あればこそ/あったからこと
と感謝しております。 (contributor: Miki)

oops         あればこそ/あったからこそ (contributor: Miki)

I looked for more examples on the areba koso and i found this particular
sentence, i'm pretty messed up on the translation but minasan no kyouryoku
wo onegai itashimasu ^^! (contributor: Exrulez)

In ex#3195, I am not sure if the second sentence logically follows from the
preceding first sentence.In other words, the second sentence can stand on
its own without the first sentence.
(contributor: bamboo4)

There are some examples using different verbs besides ある (see my
examples). Should this be changed to 〜ばこそ? (contributor: blabby)

Agree. (contributor: Miki)

ex5312 Correct Japanese is 厳しくしているのだ。 (contributor: Miki)

Thanks for noticing. Fixed typo. (contributor: blabby)

In #5312, 為に思えばこそ should be 為を思えばこそ.

#5314 is weird - should be deleted or corrected.
(contributor: bamboo4)

Thanks bamboo4 for checking.
I looked at #5314 and I think a more natural way of saying it would be
X あなたが来いと言えばこそ私は来たんです。
○ あなたが来いと言ったからこそ私は来たんです。
I came especially becuase you said to.

So I moved it to . Is this correct?
Also, does anyone know the difference between 〜ばこそ and からこそ? I read
that 〜ばこそ is used after hypothetical form (仮定形) and the sentence
must end in だ/です?? I don't get it. (contributor: blabby)

I agree that this entry should change to 'bakoso'. My understanding of the
difference from is that 〜ばこそ stresses that the preceding condition was
the *only* reason for a certain action or attitude (which is usually
proactive or positive in nature).

〜だからこそ, on the other hand, is used when you just want to emphasize a
reason. (contributor: srobertson)

ジェイグラムを見ればこそこの文法を覚えれた。

(合ってる?)Or does it have to be

この文法を覚えれたのは、ジェイグラムを見ればこそだ (contributor: rogen)

I agree with srobertson on his explanation on 〜ばこそ which having the
preceding condition the 'only' reason for a certain action or attitude
which usually the action taken is quite overwhelming.
〜からこそ has a more different usage where the reason is very
unexpectedly opposing to the action taken. Here is the explanation from the
book:
単純な理由ではないぶんで、よく使われる。「〜からこそ」は、次のような単純な理由を表す文に使うと不自然です。
E.g. : A : なぜ遅刻したんですか。
  X B : 電車が遅れたからこそ遅刻したんです。
Instead,
E.g. : 愛しているからこそ別れる、ということもあ 
    る。
   There is such a thing that 'It is because of love that is why both
separate from each other' Sorry, can't translate better.
E.g. :
あの先生は、学生に大人気です。優しいからじゃなくて、厳しいからこそ、好かれろのだ。
(contributor: 誠)

rogen
何でもいいと思うんですけど... (contributor: 誠)

rogen correction for you.
ジェイグラムを見たからこそ、この文法を覚えられた。
この文法を覚えられたのは、ジェイグラムを見たからこそだ。  
so you are emphasizing the fact that 'ジェイグラムを見た'. (contributor:
Miki)

rogen すみません.
Miki's correction is correct.
[It is because I had seen Jgram, that I can remember this grammar]
In this case, you had done something, then it is because of this reason you
〜。 (contributor: 誠)

I think there is only one したことが in ex #4755 (contributor: 誠)

#4755 corrected >誠 (contributor: dc)

I always thought that 〜ばこそ meant 'if only-', as in:
お金があればこそ来日できる。If only I had money I could visit Japan.
(contributor: マリ)

#6268 'We are able to win because of the whole team's cooperation.' I think
that sounds better... (contributor: petra)

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Friday, December 28, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - とにかく (tonikaku)

とにかく (tonikaku) - in any case, anyway

--- Notes ---
often comes at the beginning of a sentence


see all these examples at ALC


--- Examples ---
それはとにかくとして、この問題はどうするの。
Leaving that aside, how do you intend to deal with this problem?

とにかく私に言えるのは
Anyway, all I can say is...

とにかく頼むからちょっと聞いてよ
Anyway I'm asking you to just listen for a minute

とにかくやってみないことには
Anyway, we won't know unless we try.

とにかく、きみは上京すべきだ。
In any case you should come up to Tokyo.

とにかく、君の知ったことじゃない。
In any case, it's no business of yours.

とにかく、君はそこに行った方がいい。
At any rate, you had better go there.

とにかく、言いづらい事を打ち明けてくれて嬉しいよ。
Anyway, I'm glad you were able to broach this difficult subject.

とにかく、私はあなたの意見には反対だ。
I am against your opinion in any case.

--- Comments ---
とにかく can be replaced by tomokaku ともかく. (contributor: Miki)

I would like to know more about the etymology of this expression. Does it
have anything to do with the Shogi game where two pieces are named 'to' and
'kaku'? (contributor: Nizar)

why is it every time when i clikc on the title the msg below will show.
Return to beginning of the Text Translation function. Unable to map
glossdic.xjdx!
(contributor: snoopycheng)

Nizar, tonikaku is not to do with 'to' and 'kaku' of Shogi game. とにかく
is used in hiragana by edo period. と of とにかく meant そのように、 かく
meant このように。 Tonikaku is sometimes write as 兎に角 but this is
phonetic equivalent. This is considered to come from Buddhism word
「兎角亀毛」. Rabbit doesn't have horns and turtle doesn't have hairs,
which was used when you talked about something doesn't exist. So this has
no relevance to current とにかく in meaning. BTW, in shogi, 「と金」 which
is another side of 「歩(ふ)」 is called と because the simplified form of
金 looks like と。 角(かく) is also called 角行(かくぎょう).
(contributor: Miki)

I have heard this word used in a lot of contexts where it couldn't mean
anyway, in any case. I asked some friends who had some difficulty
explaining it, but one seemed to say that it also has the meanings:
'quickly', 'with all haste' and maybe also 'naturally'. I also heard it
implies that some information given is generally known by everyone. Any
native speakers care to comment? (contributor: yookoso)

You have it wrong. とにかく急ごう means 'leaving all that aside, let's
hurry.' Thus, とにかく does not have a meaning of 'quickly' or 'naturally.'

Re Miki-san's comment, 角行 is pronounced かくこう.
(contributor: bamboo4)

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Thursday, December 27, 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, December 26, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 精一杯 (seiippai)

精一杯 (seiippai) - as hard as possible


--- Examples ---
できるかどうかわからないが、精一杯がんばろう
I don't know if i can do it or not, but I will try my best!

あれが彼としては精一杯の微笑だった。
That was his nearest approach to a smile.

これが精一杯です。
This is the extent of my ability.

--- Comments ---
Is this the same as 一所懸命 【いっしょけんめい】? If so, any tips on when
to use each? (contributor: yookoso)

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Tuesday, December 25, 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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Monday, December 24, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - いかなる〜�ナも (ikanaru-demo)

いかなる〜でも (ikanaru-demo) - whatever ~


--- Examples ---

いかなる意見でも、必ず聞き入れます。
whatever your opinion is, i'll accept it

いかなる人でも入ることはできません。
Whoever you might be, you can't come in.

いかなる状況でも部屋を離れてはならない。
Under no circumstances must you leave the room.

いかなる状況のもとでも、王女が王位を継承することはあるまい。
Under no circumstances will the princess succeed to the throne.

いつ、いかなる時でも。
Whenever, wherever I am.

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Sunday, December 23, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜をおいて (wooite)

〜をおいて (wooite) - apart from/leaving aside


--- Examples ---
あなたをおいて、この会社の社長の適任者はいない
Apart from you, there is noone suitable for this company's President.

--- Comments ---
を措いて wo oite followed by 〜ない or negative (contributor: Miki)

How is this different from 以外 【いがい】? (contributor: yookoso)

昨日の事を措いて、今日はどうやて帰るの?

I'm wondering if this is grammatically correct? (contributor: ozonitabetai)

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Saturday, December 22, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - いかにも (ikanimo)

いかにも (ikanimo) - seems (but is not); indeed

--- Notes ---
Description + いかにも + evidence to the contrary = seems (but isn't)
Desciption + いかにも = indeed


--- Examples ---
あのかばんはいかにも重そうだが、中身はからで、1キロしかない。
The bag indeed looks heavy, but there's nothing inside, so it only weighs 1
kilo.

あの人は見かけはいかにもこわそうだが、本当はとても優しい人です。
That guy has a really frightening look, but he is in fact a very gentle
person.

いかにもあいつの言いそうなことだ。
That indeed sounds like what he would have said.

あのスーツはいかにも高そうだ。
That suit has an expensive look.

いかにもビルのやりそうなことだ。
That's Bill all over.

いかにもリゾートって感じの格好ね。
Your clothes say 'vacation resort' to me.

こんなおふざけはいかにもベーカー氏らしい。
Such playfulness is characteristic of Mr Baker.

こんな格好をしているといかにもスポーツをしてそうに見えるけど、全然やってないんだよ。
I look for all the world like an athlete in this outfit, but the truth is I
don't do any sports at all.

そうしたしゃべりかたはいかにも彼らしい。
That way of talking is typical of him.

そうした話し方はいかにも彼らしい。
That way of talking is typical of him.

そのような行いはいかにもメグらしい。
Such behavior is just like Meg.

そんな発言はいかにも彼らしい。
Such words are particular to him.

事象として簡単なことを、いかにも難しそうに表現する人は、あまり頭がよさそうではない。
A person who makes an easy matter sound difficult does not seem to be so
smart.

遅刻するなんていかにも彼らしいと思う。
I firmly believe it is characteristic of him to be late.

遅れてやってくるのは、いかにも彼のやりそうなことだった。
It was typical of him to arrive late.

朝食前に出勤するなんていかにも彼らしい。
It is characteristic of him to go to work before breakfast.

彼はいかにも「営業」って感じだね。
He's a salesman's salesman.

彼はいかにも私の親友らしく見せかけた。
He posed as my close friend.

彼女の口振りはいかにもそらぞらしい。
She talks too aloofly.

--- Comments ---
ex#2993 とても親切な人でした。not でた。
you can also say, 見るからに重さそうだが、見るからに恐そうだが、.
(contributor: Miki)

In #2993, if you want to say 親切な, you have to say 'kind,' but if you say
優しい then you can say 'gentle.' YOu can be 親切 but do not necessarily be
優しい and vice versa.
(contributor: bamboo4)

JDict gives both kind and gentle as meanings for both - can you clarify?

親切な 【しんせつ】kind
優しい 【やさしい】gentle (contributor: dc)

It is true that 親切な and 優しい are often mixed up. However, technically
speaking 親切 is what is represented by the act of Good Samaritan in the
Bible, meaning going out of one's way to help, but this does not necessrily
mean he is 優しい, which means that he is gentle of disposition and
sweet-tempered. A sweet-tempered person could often be a kind person at the
same time, but that is not the necessary condition. (contributor: bamboo4)

Edited #2993. (contributor: bamboo4)

I added in a note that clarified a bit of confusion for me. After I wrote
it, it seemed a bit obvious, but I suppose that's how learning goes. I hope
it's useful for others, and the kind of note that's desired. (contributor:
Ebisu Dave)

ex #3968 ' With this appearance/outfit, I indeed look like doing sports,
but the truth is I don't do any sports at all. ' Sounds better.
(contributor: 誠)

The note says Description + いかにも but all the examples appear to be
いかにも + Description. Should we change that? (contributor: yookoso)

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Friday, December 21, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - せいぜい (seizei)

せいぜい (seizei) - my utmost, at most


--- Examples ---
今度は徹夜になりそうだ。今のうちにせいぜい休んでおこう。
It looks like overtime work ahead. For now I will do my utmost to relax.

この仕事だったらせいぜい三日もあればできる。
If it's this type of work, it can be done in about three days at the
outside.

この仕事の完成にせいぜい努力します。
I will exert my best in finishing this work.

あの婦人はせいぜい40歳だ。
The lady is forty years old at most.

ここから歩いてせいぜい10分のところです。
It is no more than ten minutes' walk from here.

この時計はせいぜい10ドルだ。
This watch costs ten dollar at most.

この辞書はせいぜい2万語くらいしか載っていない。
This dictionary contains not more than 20,000 words.

せいぜい20人しかそのパーティーには来ないだろう。
Only twenty people will come to the party at best.

せいぜい40%の高校生しか大学に進学しない。
Not more than 40 percent of students go on to university.

せいぜい自分の能力を活用しなさい。
You should make the most of your ability.

それはせいぜい二流のホテルだ。
It is at best a second-rate hotel.

彼はせいぜい二流の学者だ。
He is at best a second-rate scholar.

--- Comments ---
Note that せいぜい also has the meaning of 'at th emost.' For example,
せいぜい3日もあればできる would mean 'It can be done in about three days
at the very outside,' In this sense it has the meaning similar to たかだか.
(contributor: bamboo4)

'At the very outside'? I don't understand this translation. (contributor:
lupan)

'At the very outside' means 'at the worst'. maybe literally, 'on the
border of what might and might not happen'
-> さいていの場合、三日掛かる。 (contributor: dc)

hmm it would be 最長(さいちょう)instead of 最低(さいてい).
最長⇔最短(さいたん)、最高(さいこう)⇔最低 (contributor: Miki)

You guys must mean 最悪の場合. You would not say さいていの場合、三日掛かる
but could say さいてい三日掛かる, which would mean 'takes the minimum of
three days.'The former says that it could be done in less than three days,
but the latter would say it takes three days or more. (contributor:
bamboo4)

I thought '最低' also means 'the worst'. We would use it like 'in the worst
case, we will miss the deadline by one day'. ie: you dont expect to, but...
(contributor: dc)

最低 can be 'the worst' but it also could mean 'minimum of' (contributor:
bamboo4)

Does anybody know where a good list of spoken versus writing style words
(as the case seems to be here, with takadaka and seizei) can be found?
(contributor: nks)

I don't think 'at the very outside' is correct English. I guess you mean
'at most'. (contributor: Gaijin demonai)

I guess 'at the very outside' is awkward, but I think 'at the outside'
should be acceptable. (contributor: bamboo4)

While I can't comment on any of the Japanese - 'at the outside' is very
informal in English. It refers to the expression 'an outside chance' (a
term from horseracing). So the first example would be better written: 'If
it's this type of work, there is an outside chance that it can be done in
about three days.' (contributor: andyclap)

I have been told by a native speaker that 'せいぜい' has a certain ironic
or sarcastic tinge to it. It is used in the context of saying that someone
'did their best', etc. in an ironic way, meaning it could have been done a
bit better. (contributor: somakevin)

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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - せんがため (sengatame)

せんがため (sengatame) - In order to do

--- Notes ---
Formal.
Written more than spoken.

にせんがため is equivalent to にするため

uses the nai form of verbs without nai.
In the case of suru, it is, as in the name of the entry, せんがため.

--- Examples ---
キリスト教義の正当性をより強固にせんがための伏線ととれないこともありません。
This must be a covert effort in order to further strengthen the veracity of
the Christian dogma

あの頃わたしは大学に進学せんがために毎日必死でがんばった。
At that time, in order to go on to university I frantically did my best
everyday.

研究を完成させんがため、彼は昼夜寝ずにがんばった。
In order to finish the project, he worked day and night without sleeping.

一日も早く自分の店を持ったんがために、必死で働いている。
To keep one's store going even one more day, one is frantically working.

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

Old style usage, not in much use in modern Japanese. (contributor: Amatuka)

That's a horrible, horrible translation ^^vv (contributor: Amatuka)

any ideas on detailed difference with youni? (contributor: dc)

Hmm, I think the two big differences are
1. You'll probably never have to use せんがため
and
2. ように isn't tested in JLPT level 1.
;-) (contributor: Amatuka)

So, no I don't have any idea of detailed differences to youni youni
(contributor: Amatuka)

The English translation is not only inaccurate but terrible: 'This must be
a covert effort to further strengthen the veracity of the Christian dogma'
would be more like it. (contributor: bamboo4)

translation updated! (contributor: dc)

あの頃わたしは大学に進学せんがために毎日必死でがんばった。
At that time, in order to go on to university I frantically did my best
everyday. (contributor: beth)

thanks for the ex Beth. added #5734 (contributor: dc)

Not a comment on the Japanese, but the English: it's not 'everyday' but
'every day.' CAC (contributor: kyoho16)

Can this be used with other verbs, such as 入る? My grammar book uses this
example:
何かを勉強したいというより、ただ一流大学に入らんがために勉強している人が多い。
If this is the same pattern, can someone update this entry? (contributor:
tmkain)

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 唯でさえ (tadadesae)

唯でさえ (tadadesae) - To add to, something alone is normally enough


--- Examples ---
もうこの近所はただでさえうるさいところが、今週は近くで工事が始まったため、夜は一睡も出来なくなった。
This neighbourhood is already normally noisy enough but this week
construction started nearby so now I can hardly get a wink of sleep.

もうただでさえ迷惑をかけているのに〜
Haven't you caused enough trouble already

これはただでさえおいしいものが、さらに我が隠し味を入れたら美味しくてたまらなくなるよ。
This is normally really delicious anyway but if you add our special
ingredient it will be irresistable.

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Today's Economics

Volume 48
12/04/2007
In this issue
Main Articles
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Forward to a Friend
Risk Disclosures
Main Articles

The US Dollar to Drive the Gold Price Higher in 2008
MiningMX | Dec 13, 2007 | View It
"The dollar is highly unlikely to strengthen until 2009," said Cross. "This bodes well for the gold price next year."

Gold is Really the Only Alternative to the US Dollar
Ed Bugos | Dec 14, 2007 | View It
"I have been forecasting ?Gold: $2,000-2,650? for many years now."

More Gasoline on the Fire
Peter Schiff | Dec 14, 2007 | View It
"Recent moves by Paulson and Bernanke virtually guarantee that gold will rise. It's good to be the king."

Why Commodities Should Be In Your Stocking This Year
Emanuel Balarie | Dec 17, 2007 | View It
"Not only is it not too late to invest in the commodity bull market, but it is also perhaps one of the best times to start."

Gold Rises as Commodity Rally as Commodity Rally Sparks Demand for Inflation Hedge
Pham Duy-Nguyen | Dec 18, 2007 | View It
"When you see rising oil prices and the agricultural commodities, that's a big plus for gold"

Refer-A-Friend For a Chance to Win $50,000
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - て初めて (tehajimete)

て初めて (tehajimete) - not until, only after


--- Examples ---
2、3日たって初めて彼が到着した。
It was not until a few days later that he arrived.

20才になって初めて、彼女は歌手になろうと決心した。
She did not decide to be a singer until she reached the age of twenty.

あとになって初めて、それをやった理由を彼は説明した。
Only afterward did he explain why he did it.

ずっと後になって初めて私は子供の教育の大切さを理解するようになりました。
It was only much later that I came to understand the importance of child
education.

そして14歳になって初めてピアノに触れたのです。
And I was fourteen years old before I touched a piano for the first time.

その時になって初めて私たちが置かれている危険にきずいた。
Only then did I see the danger we were in.

その時になって初めて私は危険な事態に気がついたのである。
Not till then did I realize the danger of the situation.

つい最近になって初めて彼女は考えを変えた。
It was only recently that she changed her mind.

--- Comments ---
ex#584 We usually say えっ for うぇ Eh. (contributor: Miki)

ex #3568 should end with きづいた (気づく) (contributor: Tan)

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Monday, December 17, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜に越したことは無いが (ni koshita koto ha nai ga)

〜に越したことは無いが (ni koshita koto ha nai ga) - Normally Its better to
(You can never have too much)


--- Examples ---
用心に越したことはないんですが..
You can never be too careful

この仕事は経験がなくてもかまわないが、もちろんある
に越したことは無い。
This job doesn't require experience but it would probably be an advantage.

明日、雨が降らないと言っても、傘を持つに越したことは無い。
Even though they said it won't rain tomorrow, better to have your umbrella
with you just in case.

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Sunday, December 16, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 今から思え�ホ (imakaraomoeba)

今から思えば (imakaraomoeba) - Looking back on it now


--- Examples ---
今から思えばあの時に会社を辞めたことは間違いではなかった。
Looking back on it now, quitting the company was the right thing to do.

今から思えば両親に言われた通りにしておけば良かった
Looking back on it now I wish i had done things the way my parents told
me.

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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - なり (nari2)

なり (nari2) - expresses continuing state

--- Notes ---
Verb(た形)+なり implies one movement is continuing. 〜したまま。

--- Examples ---
会社を出たなり、いつまでも帰らない。
He left the office and hasn't come back.

彼女を見つめたなり、しばらくの間微動だにしなかった。
He stared at her and didn't move an inch for a while.

--- Comments ---
is this identical to -kiri
行ったきり
行ったなり
he went ... (and hasnt been seen since) (contributor: dc)

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Friday, December 14, 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)

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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - まさかの〜 (masakano)

まさかの〜 (masakano) - If unexpectedly there is anything , 〜

--- Notes ---
Always come with 「まさかの場合、〜」、「まさかの時、〜」

--- Examples ---

まさかの場合、ここに電話してください。
If there is anything unexpected/For the unexpected , please contact to
this place.

まさかの時、すぐお知らせ下さい。
If there is anything(unexpected) ,please let me know at once.

まさかのときには貯蓄に頼ればよい。
In an emergency you can fall back on your savings.

まさかのときに備えて貯蓄せよ。
Keep something for a rainy day.

まさかのときの友こそ真の友。
Friend in need is a friend indeed.

まさかの時にはあなたを助けてやろう。
I'll stand by you in time of need.

--- Comments ---
In #5842, まさかの場合 should preferably be まさかの時は and in #5843,
まさかの時 should be まさかの時は  (contributor: bamboo4)

There are 19 まさかの時 examples in WWWJDIC
http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1Q%A4%DE%A4%B5%A4%AB%A4%CE%BB%FE_0__
which can be 'borrowed' as necessary. In WWWJDIC examples the Japanese is
usually good, but the English is sometimes dodgy. (contributor: Paul Blay)

a lot of those examples are duplicates, but i added the best. FYI the link
on this page to 'Search big database for more examples of まさかの〜'
searches the same WWJDIC example database. (contributor: dc)

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Today's Economics

Volume 48
12/04/2007
In this issue
Main Articles
Free Services & Links
Refer-A-Friend and Win
Forward to a Friend
Risk Disclosures
Main Articles

ECB Breaks U.S. Dollar's Neck
Alex Wallenwein | Dec 9, 2007 | View It
"This latest ECB signal is about to become the dollar's death-knell."

The Battle Between Debt and Recession
Adrian Ash | Dec 7, 2007 | View It
"If the Fed cuts again down to 3.5% . . . just how far might gold go - even without rising inflation?"

Wealthy Russians Invest in Gold
BBJ.hu | Dec 12, 2007 | View It
"Russia's wealthiest are piling into the bullion sector and eight of the country's 10 richest men are investing in gold."

Technically Speaking With Burak
Mervyn Burak - CMT | Dec 7, 2007 | View It
". . .one would be inclined to see an upside . . . move that might take us to the $1000 level before the next rest."

Gold Prices Will Zoom to Record Levels is 2008
Commodity Online | Dec 12, 2007 | View It
"Gold price will surge to a record high of $900/oz, driven by a weaker US dollar and economic turmoil in 2008"

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜がはやい�ゥ (gahayaika)

〜がはやいか (gahayaika) - as soon as

--- Notes ---
Basically the same as 'ya inaya' and 'nari' but 'ga hayai ka'
indicates that the speaker was waiting for something to happen.

--- Examples ---
社長が会議室に入ったがはやいか、早速会議が始まった。
As soon as the company president entered the meeting room, the meeting
started.

その朝彼がキッチンに入って来るがはやいか、彼女は彼と些細なことで口論を始めた。
As soon as he came into the room in the morning, she got into a shouting
match with him over the most trivial thing.

その力士はまわしを取るが早いか、相手を投げ飛ばした。
As soon as the sumo wrestler snared the front of the opponent's sash, he
tumbled him onto the ground.

新刊を出版したのですが、出版するが早いか腹を立てた人から手紙が届き始めました。
We put a new book out, but the second it was published we started to get
letters from angry people.

ことによるとあの女は、私が太刀打ちを始めるが早いか、人の助けでも呼ぶために、藪をくぐって逃げたかもしれない。
It's possible that as soon as I started the sword fight, that that woman
ran slipped into the grove and ran to call for help.

--- Comments ---
This can mean 'ほとんど同時に' and as said by DC, usually you are waiting
for something. School bell, starters pistol at a race, announcement of the
winner, etc. (contributor: blabby)

やいなや meaning 'almost as soon as' is normally used and the use of
が早いか in the examples is kind of stroange.

We normally use it in such sentence as
聞くが早いか、あいつは飛び出していった。


(contributor: bamboo4)

ex.
4703での「キッチン」と書いてある件ですが、その代わりに、台所を変えて、英語の説明では「kitchen」を変えるのはどう思いますか?
(contributor: nazonatte69)

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - いかんによ�轤ク (ikanniyorazu)

いかんによらず (ikanniyorazu) - without regard to

--- Notes ---
〜いかんによらず = 〜いかんにかかわらず 
          = 〜いかんを問わず

意味 :〜がどうであるかに関係なく

--- Examples ---
理由のいかんによらず、殺人は許されないことだ。
Regardless of the reason, murder is not permitted.

国籍のいかんを問わず、採用試験を受けることのできる自治体が増えている。
The number of municipalities that can receive the employment test has
increased irrespective of the nationality.

--- Comments ---
理由(りゆう)の如何(いかん)によらず
This means 'no matter what reason there is.'
Usually, Japanese people say '理由が何であろうとも' instead. (contributor:
Nick)

'理由が何であろうとも' would be used especially in speaking. In written
form, 'いかんにもよらず' is often seen. (contributor: Miki)

A better translation for #5473 is 'The number of municipalities where you
can take the employment test regardless of nationalty is increasing.
(contributor: samboki)

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - みせる (miseru)

みせる (miseru) - am determined to


--- Examples ---
今年こそは修士論文を書き上げてみせる。
This very year or never, I'm going to finish my MA thesis, if you will.

読んでみせる
I'm going to read it, if you will.

どんな手を使ってでも勝ちとってみせる。
I win by all means.

私はどんな困難にも耐えてみせる。
I'm sure I can overcome any difficulty.

石にかじりついても成功してみせる。
I will succeed at any cost.

--- Comments ---
the will read ex is more a usage example - note the in boxes. i decided to
skip a big coding exercise and use the existing structure to include basic
grammar usage too. (contributor: dc)

This is an (or however you're going to categorize 'verb-te aux-verb'
(contributor: Amatuka)

not to be confused with 見せかける, to pretend/feign or have outward
appearance (usually used for things though) (contributor: dc)

...してみせる is a very difficult concept to convey. I am not sure that
there is an English equivalent. (contributor: bamboo4)

After thinking about it at length, I scrap verything I said and decided
that the best Japanese equivlant is 'if you will.'
That's not exactly the concept behind みせる but I think it is what I would
say if I am speaking in English. (contributor: bamboo4)

what about simply 'i'll show you! '? (contributor: rasmusjp)

'i'll show you! '? sounds like a really easy way to remember this. i wonder
if its accurate translation of the mood... (contributor: dc)

in many movies and comics that i translate(d), みせる is usually said by
annoyed youths, so the mood might as well be the same :) (contributor:
Kaens)

This is a tricky one. I think that the translation into 'I'll show you' is
good - except that you wouldn't really say that in English.
It is a form used when you have something to prove, or the desire to show
someone that you can/will do (whatever).
That said, in English there is no set phrase commonly uttered aloud to
express that feeling.
(Other than 'I'll show you/him/her/them!', but that is more often said to
one's self, rather than to another.
Compare
りんごを食べる! 
- I will eat an apple

りんごを食べてみせる!
- I will eat an apple (*while thinking* ...and show you! You said I
couldn't, so this will show you how wrong you are!) (contributor: skottt)

There are plenty of good translations in English.

The phrases 'Just you wait!' and 'You'll see!' pop immediately to mind, in
terms of phrases you can use when you've got something to prove.

The only difference? It's not in vogue in America to directly convey that
you have something to prove -- has a bit of the air of a children's
cartoon.

As a result, both of the phrases above, while a good translation, are
mostly only used in a silly or archaic fashion in English.

For instance, when I make fun of my girlfriend, she always replies
defiantly, 'One day I'll show you, you big lout!'

You could translate that to 'Itsuka Utte miseru!' (The 'utsu' verb for
exacting revenge, I forget the kanji)

It's archaic language used to convey a silly effect, not because the words
are 'old fashioned' but because the *feeling behind them* isn't one that
English speakers like to directly express. (contributor: Televangelist)

can it be thought of in contrast with ~てみる ? if so would the
translation of ~てもせる be ? (contributor: gandal)

how about this for a simpler explanation. the verb 見せる means to show. so
してみせる could best be translated as I will see (because I will show
you).

Ex

今年、僕は大学を卒業してみせる。
You will see, This year I will graduate.
(contributor: tigert)

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Sunday, December 9, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - や否や (yainaya)

や否や (yainaya) - just as soon as


--- Examples ---
赤ん坊は私の顔をみるやいなや、泣き出した。
The baby began to cry the moment that she saw my face

そこに出かけるやいなや彼女は病気になった。
No sooner had she gone there than she was taken ill.

その一行が出発するやいなや、雨が降り出した。
The party had no sooner started than it began to rain.

その音を聞くやいなや、犬は逃げていきました。
On hearing the sound, the dog rushed away.

その犬は私の姿を見るやいなや逃げて行った。
Scarcely had the dog seen me before in ran away.

その子はお母さんを見るやいなやワッと泣き出した。
No sooner had the child seen his mother than he burst into tears.

その女の子は母親を見るやいなやわっと泣き出した。
Instantly the girl saw her mother, she burst out crying.

その少女は怪物の姿を見るやいなや逃げ出した。
No sooner had the girl caught sight of the monster than she ran away.

その知らせを聞くやいなや彼女は青ざめた。
On hearing the news, she turned pale.

その部屋にはいるやいなや私は、たばこの臭いのほかにガスの臭いがするのに気がついた。
No sooner had I entered the room than I noticed the smell not only of
tobacco but of gas.

その部屋に入るやいなや彼らは話をやめた。
The minute I entered the room, they stopped talking.

PSPは発売されるや、すべて売り切れた。
As soon as the the Playstation portable was put on sale, it totally sold
out.

--- Comments ---
Good page on this here (contributor: Amatuka)

Relevant grammar question & comments here (second post). (contributor:
Amatuka)

ex#1078 can be also said, 赤ん坊は私の顔をみるなり、泣き出した。
hmm no entry for なり? (contributor: Miki)

Is it always a 'negative' sentence that comes after the 'yainaya'? (ie cry,
shut up, rain...) (contributor: Pied)

My textbook uses kanji for this grammar - や否や.
It also says that sometimes the '否や' is omitted - Aや、B. (contributor:
blabby)

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Saturday, December 8, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - かろうじて (karoujite)

かろうじて (karoujite) - barely


--- Examples ---
走って行ったらかろうじて2時の電車に間に合いました
I ran and barely made the 2 O'Clock train

かろうじて落第せずにすんだ
I just barely managed to avoid dropping out of class

かろうじて付き合っている
They are just barely still together

11時までにかろうじてなんとかその手紙を書いた。
I barely managed to finish the letter by eleven o'clock.

かろうじて間に合いましたね。
You are only just in time.

かろうじて事故に遭わずにすんだ。
I escaped the accident by the skin of my teeth.

かろうじて車に当てられずにすんだ。
I narrowly escaped being hit by a car.

かろうじて列車に間に合った。
I barely managed to catch the train.

--- Comments ---
By the look of the examples, this is spoken grammar? (contributor: blabby)

Kaens, I think you mistake 辛 for 幸. 幸 is used in 幸福、幸運 etc.
かろうじて is written as 辛うじて. (contributor: Miki)

blabby, this is the grammar for both spoken and written language (of
course).
Miki, true, I did mistake that ^^; So, the meaning would be 'bitter,
painful, bad' - the opposite to my first comment, so I'm removing that one.
Ugh. (contributor: Kaens)

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Friday, December 7, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - どうやら (douyara)

どうやら (douyara) - it seems, apparently, somehow


--- Examples ---
急いだので、どうやら間に合った
I rushed, and somehow made it on time

どうやら、彼は知らないらしい
It seems he doesn't know

どうやらあの人が判らないらしい。
It appears that he cannot identify that man there.

「あら ごめんなさい。どうやら間違え電話をしてしまったようだね。」
'Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I have the wrong number.'

どうやら、そのみすぼらしいアパートは空き家のようだ。
Apparently the shabby flat is vacant.

どうやらおっしゃるとおりだと思います。
I almost think you're right.

どうやらひどい風邪にかかったようだ。
I seem to have caught a bad cold.

どうやら誤解があるようだ。
There appears to be a misunderstanding.

どうやら私はバスの中で財布を盗まれたらしい。
The chances are that I had my wallet stolen on the bus.

どうやら食べ過ぎたみたいだ。
I'm afraid I've eaten too much.

どうやら明日は雨のようだ。
I'm afraid it will rain tomorrow.

天気はどうやら、回復しそうだ。
It would seem that the weather is improving.

危機をどうやら脱したようだ。
We seem to have escaped form danger.

--- Comments ---
As for the first example, J should be どうやら彼_は_分からないらしい。
彼が分からないらしい would be, it seems she doesn't know who he is.
(contributor: Miki)

どうやら彼が分からないらしい means someone (who remains unidentified but
not the speaker) cannot discern him.

どうやら彼は分からないらしい means 'he' is not able to discern something
(not dicclosed) as observed by the speaker.

(contributor: bamboo4)

Accordingly, 彼が分からないらしい should be changed to 彼は知らないらしい.


(contributor: bamboo4)

Is the 'somehow' meaning similar to nantoka (なんとか)? If so, there is no
entry for that currently... (contributor: yookoso)

Yes, it seems to be so.
ex#1279, 3933 and 3934 どうやら can be replaced by なんとか.
(contributor: Miki)

#3095
I would say 'どうやら、あの人は判らないらしい。'

#3930
I would say 'どうやら、私はバスの中で財布を盗まれたようだ。'

The other examples are OK. (contributor: Nick)

#3095 どうやら、(あの人は he)あの人が(that man there)判らないらしい。
#3930 Both …らしい。 and …ようだ。 are fine. (contributor: Miki)

#3095
彼はどうやら、あの人が誰なのか見分けがつかないようだ。 (contributor: Nick)

〜らしい (I hear that... / Someone says that...)
〜ようだ (It seems that...)
These are not interchangeable. (contributor: Nick)

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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 攻めに (zemeni)

攻めに (zemeni) - Overwhelmingly


--- Examples ---
広告攻めにされた。
I was overwhelmed with advertisments.

質問攻めにする。
To bombard someone with questions.

毎日Eメール攻めに遭っている。
Every day I am overwhelmed by an amazing amount of emails.

--- Comments ---
Should the pronunciation be せめ rather than ぜめ? (contributor: godfrey)

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 隙に (sukini)

隙に (sukini) - While 〜 To take advantage of a moment of time to do
something (there is an element of cunning in its meaning)


--- Examples ---
皆さん、ジョンさんがいないすきに、サプライズパーティーを整えましょう。
1. Lets prepare the surprise party for John in his absence.

皆が前を向いているすきにぎゅっと手を引いてほしいんだ。
2. Taken from lyrics of 'Invitation' by Shibasaki Kou) I want you to take
me by the hand while everyone else is looking the other way.

先生が余所見をしているすきに、ラッブレターをきみが渡してくれたんだな。
3. While the teacher's attention was momentarily distracted you passed me
a love letter didn't you. 

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Today's Economics

Volume 48
12/04/2007
In this issue
Main Articles
Free Services & Links
Refer-A-Friend and Win
Forward to a Friend
Risk Disclosures
Main Articles

Be Right, Sit Tight
Sam Mathid | Nov 30, 2007 | View It
"There is a strong case that gold is destined to reach at least 2,500 in today's value US$'s, and probably much more."

A Tidal Wave
Puru Saxena | Nov 30, 2007 | View It
"At today's level, adjusted for inflation, gold is still roughly 65% cheaper than where it was in 1980."

Commodities Investing Bites Back at Credit Crunch
Shanny Basar - Financial News | Dec 4, 2007 | View It
"Since the start of the third quarter, the S&P GSCI TR commodity indices have returned more than 20%"

Gold, Silver Rise on Speculation U.S. to Slash Borrowing Costs
Pham-Duy Nguyen - Bloomberg | Dec 4, 2007 | View It
"If the Fed continues to cut rates, gold could go much higher"

Goldman Sachs Golden Message: Time to Short the Shiny Stuff
Polya Lesova - Marketwatch | Dec 4, 2007 | View It
"I disagree with Goldman Sachs analysis . . . There are too many factors that are positive for gold's continued rise next year."

Refer-A-Friend For a Chance to Win $50,000
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Free Services & Links
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Archived News
Prudent Bear
American Eagles at 1% Over Cost
• Gold is moving - and projections from even the major brokerages say, "gold will hit $1500 within the next five years". Lear would like to offer the easiest way to start your gold purchase with the American Eagle at just 1% over dealer cost! And by acting now, we will even cover your shipping cost on your first order when you use the promo code NL101 when you check out. Online special only, click here to take advantage.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - にひきかえ (nihikikae)

にひきかえ (nihikikae) - in contrast with; compared to


--- Examples ---
私の古い車にひきかえかれのはとても早いです

In contrast to my old car, his is really fast

去年はトマト50個収穫できたのよ。それにひきかえ今年は30個だけ。多分気候のせいね…
We harvested 50 tomatoes last year. In contrast, this year we harvested
only 30. This may be due to the weather...

--- Comments ---
Is this often used in spoken japanese as well? (contributor: Bree)

ex#5166 needs to have 'this year' added somewhere 'In contrast, we
harvested only 30 this year.' (contributor: Stephen)

done (contributor: dc)

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Monday, December 3, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 〜ともなく (tomonaku)

〜ともなく (tomonaku) - Without really planning to, ~

--- Notes ---
「〜と(も)なく/〜と(も)なしに」は疑問詞(疑問詞+助詞)につくときは、「<いつ・どこで・誰が・何を>かよくわからないが、〜」という不確かさを表します。また、感覚・知覚・思惟などを表す動詞を反復し、「見るともなく見る/聞くともなく聞く」のように「〜しようというつもりはなく、ただ、なんとなく〜する」という無意識で行われた動作を表します。日本語の不作為・無意識の行為を表す代表がこの「〜ともなく/〜ともなしに」だと言えるでしょう。

When 「〜と(も)なく/〜と(も)なしに」is attached to a question word (or
question word and particle), it expresses uncertainty (about when, where,
who, what). Alternatively, when used on either end of verbs expressing
sensation, perception or speculation, as
in「見るともなく見る/聞くともなく聞く」, it indicates that the action
happens unintentionally or without conscious effort. This model can be said
to be representative of Japanese phrases expressing involuntary/unconscious
actions.

--- Examples ---
ゴロゴロしながら見るともなく外を見ると、アンパンマンがいました!
Without really planning, I looked ouside and saw anpanman!

どこからともなく
Out of thin air...

待つこともなく彼女が現れた。
I had not waited long before she turned up.

彼女はどこからともなくひょっこりやってきた。
She came up from goodness knows where.

見るともなくぼんやり外を見ていたら、不意に大きなカラスが飛んできた。
@Without~

--- Comments ---
You can also say 〜ともなしに (contributor: blabby)

I think example #5181 is different grammar. 待つこと、もなく、〜
(contributor: blabby)

Correct! ex #5181 does not belong here. (contributor: bamboo4)

#5986 could be translated as:

I just happened to glance outside, when suddenly a large crow flew towards
me. (contributor: montydrei)

見るともなくぼんやり外を見ていたら can be translated as 'I was looking
outside absent-mindedly without really seeing anything.....' (contributor:
bamboo4)

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Sunday, December 2, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - からすると (karasuruto-2)

からすると (karasuruto-2) - from (the point of view)


--- Examples ---
メールを受け取った方からすると、何のわるぎもなくついうっかり転送してしまったということでも、発信者からすると自分が丹精こめて書いたものを、無断で第三者に転送されてしまったということにもなりかねません。
As the person receiving the email he might casually forward the message
with no ill intent but for the person who sent the email, put together with
hard effort, to be sent on to a third party without notice could be
unforgivable.

知っている側からすると
From the point of view of those who know ...

この見地からすると、君の言うことは正しい。
From this point of view, you are right.

空模様では、からすると、雨はしばらくは止まないだろう。
From the look of the sky, I'm afraid the rain won't let up for a while.

空模様からすると、今夜あたり雪になるかもしれない。
From the look of the sky, it may begin to snow tonight.

私の美的観点からすると。
I from an aestheitc point of view.

周りの事情からすると彼女の話は本当らしかった。
The circumstances gave color to her story.

買い手の立場からするとこれらのCDプレーヤーの値段は、高すぎる。
From the buyer's point of view, the prices of these CD players are too
high.

彼の案は私の見方からすると、とてもいいようにみえる。
His plan seems very good from my point of view.

法律の観点からすると、彼は自由だ。
From the standpoint of the law, he is free.

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Saturday, December 1, 2007

Grammar a Day - Level 1 - 今ごろにな�チて ~も (imagoroninatte)

今ごろになって ~も (imagoroninatte) - it's already too late

--- Notes ---
this is used like
[verb-te]+mo

--- Examples ---
今ごろになって勝訴しても、亡くなった人は帰ってこない。
Even though we won the lawsuit, it's too late to bring the dead back.

明日出発なのに、今頃になってビザがないなんて。
You are leaving tomorrow, and I can't believe at this late point you still
haven't gotten yourself a visa!

今ごろになってそのようなことを言われても遅いよ!
It's too late for you to tell me that at this stage!

今ごろになってやめろと言われても遅い
Its too late to tell me to stop now!

今頃になって(から)、切符を買うのは遅すぎる

its too late to buy tickets

今ごろになって(から)、注文しても遅い

It's too late to order

今頃になってそんなこというの?
Are you telling me that at this juncture in time?

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