nguyenducminhanh - Blogger: February 2009

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ まさか (masaka) ]

まさか (masaka) - incredible!

--- Examples ---
まさか来るとは思わなかった。
Did I ever expect you to come!

まさか!
Incredible !

びっくりした！まさかこんなところで会うとは思わなかったよ。
Oh my gosh! You're the last person I expected to meet in a situation like
this.

彼の言ったことはまさか本当であるとは思えない。
What he said can scarcely be true.

ロニーが日本語能力試験が合格したと聞いて先生つい「まさか」と言い出しました。
Teacher automatically uttered 'masaka' when he heard that Runny cleared the
test.

--- Comments ---
真逆 [まさか] (adv) (uk) by no means, (P)
まさか (adv) never!, well, I never!, you don't say!
Literally:
真 [ま] (n,pref) just, right, due (east), pure, genuine, true, (P)
逆 [ぎゃく] (adj-na,n) reverse, opposite, (P)
逆さ [さかさ] (n) reverse, inversion, upside down, (P)
In English: 'directly opposite'

(contributor: deweychetham)

まさか coupled with negative or denial expresses unexpected hypothetical
case. Synonimous with よもや or いくらなんでも.
(contributor: bamboo4)

V-plain + とは思う is used in most of the examples above - does that
deserve its own JGram entry? (contributor: yookoso)

I think using only まさか can have the connotation of 'no way'... the
'nai' is often left unsaid.

ex:
A: 彼がもう結婚しちゃったって
B: まさか(そういうことあるわけないだろう) (contributor:
nhk9)

I agree with nhk9さん、but i think that should be under the entry of
まさか／まさか〜ないだろう
which literally ' it can't be that 〜,right?'

まさか〜とは思わなかった　should deserve a different entry ,
since it literally means
'Didn't expect 〜(to be) ' (contributor: 誠)

I agree with yookosoさん, how does V-plain +とは思う differ from
V-plain +と思う/だと思う？ (contributor: xabre24)

Another phrase I like to use when translating まさか is 'Don't tell me
... !', though that doesn't work in every case.

And a まさか phrase that doesn't translate literally is
そのまさかだ！ (or the equivalent). Sometimes, when someone says,
for example, まさか、(insert unlikely/unwelcome situation
here)じゃないだろう？ (It COULDN'T be (situation), right?), the
response is そのまさかだ！ (It IS that (situation)!). Try
translating まさか itself directly in that case, and you're just asking
for trouble. (contributor: KWhazit)

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

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 〜それまでだ ([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それまでだ。
If you ate a load of icecream even though you were on a diet, that would be
the end of it .

--- 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)

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

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 〜をものとも��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)

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

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ ごとき・ごとく (gotoki/gotoku) ]

ごとき・ごとく (gotoki/gotoku) - Like, As if

--- Notes ---
Noun + (の) + ごとき + Noun
Noun + ごとく + Adjective/Verb

Not to be confused with ことごとく, which is an unrelated word meaning
'entirely':

　ことごとく信じる。
　Believe something totally.

--- Examples ---
烈火のごとき非難。
Criticism like fire.

私のごとき初心者にとって、。。。
For a beginner like me, ...

ジェット機のごとく空を飛ぶ。
Fly through the sky like a jet.

以上のごとく
As stated above...

常のごとく
As usual.

生けるごとく
As if it is alive.

鳥のごとく空を飛ぶこと、これは人間の夢である。
To fly through the sky like a bird; that is the dream of man.

ライオンのごとく勇敢な人だ。
That person is as brave as a lion.

--- Comments ---
Very formal written grammar. (contributor: blabby)

#5428 私ごとき is ok, too.
#5432 生けるがごとく
#5433 This is different. kotogotoku is written as 悉くor 尽く in kanji
but I don't use them in kanji. hehe (contributor: Miki)

Miki, thanks for your valuable advice.

In #5428, I understand that the の is optional but is #5432 incorrect? Or
are 生けるがごとく and 生けるごとく both acceptable?　Google
gives me 79 results to 31 respectively.

Rather than delete #5433, I marked it as 'question' so other readers can
see that it is different.
(contributor: blabby)

ごとく or 如く is literal diction and not normally used (sounds
pedantic) in conversational speech. ような or ように can usually
replace ごとく.
As between 生けるがごとく and 生けるごとく, the former is the
conventional usage, but the latter is more or less acceptable (with
emphasis on 'less'). (contributor: bamboo4)

「ごとく、ごとき」は「ように、ような」の古い言葉で、名詞の前に付かれて、改まった場所での会話や、硬い文章に使われます。
(contributor: 誠)

生けるかのごとく (contributor: 誠)

To be consistent, #5433 should be deleted - not just marking it like blabby
suggests.
(contributor: bamboo4)

I've overwritten #5433 with an example which contains the grammar point and
moved the previous example up into notes.
That way, those people giving the page a thorough read can be alerted to
the difference, while those just scrolling down to get examples of the
actual grammar point won't be confused by unrelated sentences.
Does this keep everyone happy? (contributor: mochabean)

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

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 〜（で）すら ((de)sura) ]

〜（で）すら ((de)sura) - just / even if

--- Examples ---
この天才の私ですらわからなかった
Even a genius such as myself couldn't solve it

私は緊張しすぎて、ちらっと見ることすら出来ませんでした
I was so nervous that I couldn't even take a quick peek

「人」の漢字すら知らない生徒は、いないでしょ！
There are no students that don't even know the 「人」 kanji!

この大学の学生の中には教師に対する口の聞き方すら知らないものがいる。
Some student in this university don't even know how to talk to teachers.

これらの言葉ですらいつか消えてしまいます。
Even these words will someday disappear.

こんなケーブル線ですら、６０００円もした。
Even this cable cost me 6000 yen.

しっと深い人は、友達についてすら、いじわるをして、満足感をうる。
A jealous person gets a feeling of contentment by behaving like a dog in
the manger even with his friends.

その生徒は先生に返事すらしませんでした。
The student did not so much as answer the teacher.

もちろん品も、そして郵送料すらも返ってこなかった。
Of course, even neither goods nor the mailing fee returned.

海外で育つ日本人の子供の場合、日本語が完璧にできる場合ですら、帰国後日本の学校に適応するのに大変苦労することが時々ある。
Japanese children brought up overseas sometimes face great difficulty in
adjusting themselves to Japanese schools after returning, even though they
have a perfect command of Japanese.

最も強大な帝国ですら崩壊する。
Even the mightiest of empires comes to an end.

社長は我々の給料を少しあげることすら惜しんだ。
Our boss begrudged us even a small raise in pay.

想像すらできない。
I couldn't even guess.

中には月を訪れたことのあるものすらいる。
Some people have even visited the moon.

虫ですら向かってくるものだ。
Even a worm will turn.

彼ですらそれが上手にできるなら、我々ならなおさらだ。
If he can do it well, so much more can we.

彼には日常必需品すらない、まして贅沢品はあるわけがない。
He has no daily necessities, much less luxuries.

彼の息子は自分の名前を書くことすらできない。
His son cannot so much as write his own name.

彼は、オペラはもちろんのこと、童謡すら歌えない。
He cannot even sing children's songs, let alone opera.

彼は自分の家族すら取りしきれないのに、まして一国を治めるなんて！
He can't run his own family, let alone a nation!

彼女はフランス語は言うに及ばず母国語すらろくに話せない。
She doesn't even speak her own language well, let alone French.

--- Comments ---
This seems to be similar to 'demo', which might be a good way to remember
it. (contributor: Ben)

#536O There are no students? I can't read u人」as 「人」. mojibake!
(contributor: Miki)

is this identical to ?

見るさえできない
見るすらできない
- cannot even see (contributor: dc)

Can you use 〜すら to say something like 'if you so much as touch this,
there'll be trouble'? (contributor: xabre24)

For those wondering the difference between 〜さえ and
〜（で）すら, here's a good site from Tae Kim.

http://guidetojapanese.org/even.html#part3 (contributor: Atsuke)

--- View this entry online ---
http://www.jgram.org/pages/viewOne.php?tagE=(de)sura

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ ひとり〜だけ��なく (hitori-dakedenaku) ]

ひとり〜だけでなく (hitori-dakedenaku) -

--- Notes ---
普通、「ひとりＡだけでなくＢも」の形で用いられ、「ただＡだけでなくＢも」の意味。Ａ、Ｂには対象的、並立的あるいは類似の内容がくる。

--- 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 non-attendance is not only becoming in the field of
education but also a 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)

I've edited the translation and gone for 'non-attendance'. This term seems
to be used a lot, at least here in the UK, when describing the problems of
children who are 'serial truants' and essentially refusing to go at all,
rather than simply skipping school for a day here and there (it's in the
news a lot since it became law that the parents can be prosecuted and even
sent to prison for failing to ensure their child attends school).
'Drop-out' to me suggests someone who is no longer enroled at the school as
a result of non-attendance, which is perhaps a little different (?)
If anyone disagrees, feel free to edit! (contributor: mochabean)

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

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

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。
Iam 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)

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

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

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 ---
幼児期にあって、彼はストレスの多い状況を経験した。
As an infant, he underwent a stressful situation.

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)

I've changed #4234 to Miki's verion, since the original was an incomplete
sentence and Miki's reworking still contains the grammar point.
(contributor: mochabean)

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Friday, February 20, 2009

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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Thursday, February 19, 2009

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)

I think that 'gatera' is most like 'tsuideni'. It means 'on the occasion
of'.
To Mikisan: Vる/N の+ ついでに
--> 散歩のついでに....
(contributor: amenya)

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Today's Economics

Volume 54
02/11/2009

In this issue

• Main Articles
• Free Services & Links
• Refer-A-Friend and Win
• Forward to a Friend
• Risk Disclosures

Main Articles

Gold is Starting To Believe Obama
Boris Sobolev | February 15, 2009 | View It
"Since the inauguration, investors poured $6 billion into gold . . . an increase of 24% in less than a month."

Gold - The Challenge of the High
Howard S. Katz | February 16, 2009 | View It
"The correct model for our present economy is the '70s. People who think we're in the '30s are giving the wrong advice.""

.S. Housing Starts Fell To Record Low In January
Bloomberg | February 18, 2009 | View It
"one program, no matter how well designed it is, is going to solve all the problems at one time"

Will the Market Hold the Line
Christian Hill | February 18, 2009 | View It
"If the market breaks down below that mark and closes under 7552, look out below."

Fund Amasses Bullion Holding
Javier Blass - FT.com | February 18, 2009 | View It
"Gold holdings at the world?s largest bullion-backed exchange-traded fund jumped above 1,000 tonnes for the first time,"

Register for our VIP program and receive discounts on shipping, special reports, investment seminars, books and precious metal products. And if you are happy with our services and know someone who may have an interest in owning gold or metals, you can get them FREE delivery on their first order! If anyone you refer decides to do business with us, well give them FREE delivery (up to $70.00) on their first order ... and you'll also get our thank you points to use towards our special thank you gifts. To Register now... Click Here

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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。
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。
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。
While the teacher's attention was momentarily distracted you passed me a
love letter didn't you.　

彼女は気がつかないすきに、彼女にキスした。
While she didn't pay attention, I kissed her

--- Comments ---
Is this the same 'suki' as in 'sukiari', like when someone drops their
guard and you grab them? (contributor: Tensigh)

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 〜そびれる (sobireru) ]

〜そびれる (sobireru) - Fail to ~

--- Notes ---
Verb(〜ますform) + そびれる。

--- Examples ---
借りたお金を返しそびれた。
I failed to return the money I borrowed.

飲みすぎて終電に乗りそびれた。
I drank too much and failed to catch the last train.

--- Comments ---
This grammar is the same as 〜損なう。
返し損なう - Fail to return (it).
やり損なう - Mess up. (contributor: blabby)

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Monday, February 16, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 気が付いた (kigatsuita) ]

気が付いた (kigatsuita) - I realized

--- Notes ---
See also .

kigasuru - feels like

kigatsuku - i noticed
kidsuku - i realized

--- Examples ---
納豆は美味しいと気が付いた。
Natto is tasty I realized.

気がついたら病院のベッドに横たわっていた。
When I came to, I was lying down on a hospital bed.

公園のベンチにかばんを置き忘れたことに今気がついた。
I just realized that I forgot my satchel in a bench of the park.

彼が好きになったのに気が付いた。
I realized that I liked him

--- Comments ---
That was the wrong つく (fixed) (contributor: Amatuka)

うそよ！納豆は美味しくないよ！ (contributor: KotatsuSama)

I'm told that you must say:
眠たいのに気が付いた
Can anyone comment on that? (contributor: hennagaijin)

Yeah I think the above is right　concerning a verb,
VERBたいのに気がついた (contributor: anna.kendall)

Actually, for a verb, it's the verb + の or こと＋に気が付いた。
(contributor: Darrkangel)

I think this entry should be 気が付いた rather than
と気が付いた. Maybe rather JPLT1 than JPLT2 too. If somebody agree
with it, I will change the entry. (contributor: 赤毛)

Hey 赤毛､　I agree with you. the と　in
納豆が美味しいと気が付いた　is a quotation marker. it is the
same と used in 納豆が美味しいと思います. but it has nothing
to do with the second 気が付ける｡

I think there should also be a note about the diffrence between
気が付ける　and 気を付ける　their meanings are completely
diffrent. the first being 'I realized' and the second being 'being safe' or
'taking care'

well thats my two yen lol じゃね (contributor: tigert)

Thanks Tigertさん. I changed the entry and the level. (contributor:
赤毛)

What about also adding 気づく to the same entry? They mean the same.
(contributor: lonesoullost)

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ いかんによらず (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

What is the difference between 名詞＋を問わず and
名詞＋の＋いかんを問わず？

--- 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 where one can take the employment test
regardless of nationalty is increasing.

--- 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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Saturday, February 14, 2009

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)

Godfrey, I'm guessing that the ze is a result of being combined with the
noun. So like a ka would become ga (te+ kakari= tegakari) the se of seme
becomes ze (contributor: abhishekpandit)

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Friday, February 13, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ まみれ　(塗れ） (mamire) ]

まみれ　(塗れ） (mamire) - covered in st
(名詞＋に＋まみれる); (名詞＋まみれ)

--- Examples ---
その子供たちは全身ほこりまみれだった
The children were covered with dirt from head to foot

彼は全身泥まみれだった。
He was covered with mud from head to foot.

そのナイフは血にまみれていた。
The knife was covered in blood.

彼の額は汗まみれだった。
Sweat bathed his forehead.

インドにお互いを色でまみれる祭がある。
There is a festival of coloring each other in India.

--- Comments ---
誇りまみれ (contributor: dc)

それを言うならば、埃まみれ hokori mamire
I'd rather covered with pride than dust, though. (contributor: Miki)

In 4175 「血に」の「に」が必要ですか　 (contributor:
inevittable)

This is similar to darake, but mimare is only for liquids or powders like
blood or dust, whereas darake can be for these things and things like
mistakes, and holes (as in a car riddled with bullet holes). (contributor:
inevittable)

inevittable, I'm pretty sure 4175 needs the に because まみれ is in its
verb form and not followed by だ or だった。 (contributor: tmkain)

>>inevittable

tmkain is absolutely correct; if it was まみれ as in all other examples
you could say
血まみれ。「彼の顔が血まみれだった。」「彼の顔が血にまみれた。」
(contributor: マリ)

すみません。ミキさんとｄｃさんがお喋っていることを良く分かりませんがもっと詳しく説明してくださいませんか。多分完璧の例文は「誇りまめれるより埃まみれた方が良い」になります。
(contributor: ppmohapatra)

if I can use mamire with something abstract like love or not. Can I say:
'私は今本当に幸せです．回りの人の愛まみれですから。"
(contributor: amenya)

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 居られない (irarenai) ]

居られない (irarenai) - cannot exist, not possible, can't afford to

--- Notes ---
居られない literally means 'the tea drinking cannot exist.' In
English would be something like, cannot afford to do, is not possible,
cannot be done.

--- Examples ---
お客様がそろそろお着きになって大変なので、のんびりお茶など飲んではいられない。
Guests are arriving soon and we will be very busy, so we won't be able to
have a quiet cup of tea.

眩しいというのは目をあけていられないほど光が強い様子だ。
Dazzling is the state when light is so hard that you almost can't keep
the eyes open.

出かけたとき、外にいられないくらい風がつきささった。
When we went out, we almost couln't stand the bite of the wind.

--- Comments ---
I don't understand why ないではいられない is considered level 2
and いられない is considered level 1. (contributor: 赤毛)

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Today's Economics

Volume 54
02/11/2009

In this issue

• Main Articles
• Free Services & Links
• Refer-A-Friend and Win
• Forward to a Friend
• Risk Disclosures

Main Articles

Extraordinary Bullish Outlook For Gold
Eric Hommelberg | February 6, 2009 | View It
"The dollar may lose as much as 40 percent of its value to 50 yen or 60 yen from the current spot rate of 90.40 today in Tokyo"

Buy Gold
Dow Theory Analysis | February 11, 2009 | View It
" . . . if the world's fiat money system collapses along the way, we'll see gold well above $5,000/ounce."

Gold Price of $2300 Would Not Be Surprising
Martin Creamer | February 11, 2009 | View It
"There were strong signals that gold should be added to investment portfolios."

Gold Leads The Way
Howard S. Katz | February 9, 2009 | View It
"Over the course of the 1970s, the price of gold rose from $35/oz. to $875/oz. . . . a factor of 25 times."

Old news For Gold Bugs
Mogambo Guru | February 10, 2009 | View It
"Clearly we are seeing a stampede of institutional fund management into gold at present!"

Free Services & Links

• Metal Price Alerts by Email
• Request Free Information
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• Subscribe to the Newsletter
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American Eagles at 1% Over Cost

Copyright © Lear Capital, Inc.
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If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter click here

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ かわきりに (kawakirini) ]

かわきりに (kawakirini) - beginning of, starting with

--- Examples ---
冗談をかわきりに話をする。
introduce the speech with a joke.

「私の経験では」のような言葉を皮切りに話しを始めなさい。
Begin statements with openers like, 'In my experience, ...',

札幌をかわきりに全国５箇所でセミナーを開催いたします。
Starting from Sapporo, we hold seminars at five places across the contry.

--- Comments ---
For #5720, Wo Hajime sounds more natural... (contributor: SARIRU)

It may be so but the meaning is the same. kawakiri maybe used rather in
speech or in written form. (contributor: Miki)

#3536 冗談をかわきりに話をする is a bit odd. 話をする
shold be changed to 話を始める.
(contributor: bambo4)

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 〜でなくてな��だろう (denakute-nandarou) ]

〜でなくてなんだろう (denakute-nandarou) - If thats not ... I
don't know what is

--- Notes ---
always follows a noun. written only

〜でなくてなんだろう literally means : 'If it is not 〜,then
what it is/ what can it be?'

--- Examples ---
このケーキが世界一でなくてなんだろう。
If this isn't the world's best cake, then I don't know what is.

あの国の大統領は国民の意見は無視して何でも自分一人で決定する。これが独裁者でなくてなんだろう。
The president of that country decides everything himself ignoring nation's
concerns. If that's not dictatorship, then i don't know what is.

自分の命を犠牲にして多くの人を救ったあの男が英雄でなくてなんだろう。

--- Comments ---
JLPT Level 4? (contributor: anon)

well spotted. Level 1 i think. (contributor: dc)

JPLT Level 1 without a doubt. (contributor: olivier)

not to be a nit-picker, but how does that example sentence fit in with
'written only'? (contributor: rasmusjp)

suppose we're talking about a person, is 〜でなくてだれだろう
acceptable? (same goes for places, time, etc) (contributor: cosmo)

たとえば？あの人はスミスさんでなくてだれだろう？とか？I
think its grammatically correct its just probably not used. Also consider
that when speaking about other people you have to be careful about
politeness, so saying なくてだれだろう？might be considered a
little bit rude. (contributor: iamharenchi)

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Monday, February 9, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ いかん (ikan) ]

いかん (ikan) - based on

--- Notes ---
〜いかん　is the same as によって

Noun(の)＋いかん

Look at this subtle difference:

１　結果いかんで、次のレベルを決める
　　based on the result, the next level will be decided

２　結果いかんでは、次のレベルに行ける
　　based on the result, you will go to the next level

in (1) a clear result comes out, so the で particle is used.
in (2) a process will start, so では is used to link the two parts.

もっとはっきり説明を聞きたい。

Negative case 'without regard to'

　いかんによらず
　いかんにかかわらず
　いかんを問わず

As far as I know, いかんで means that one thing depends on another.
i.e. We'll decide what to do depending on the results.

いかんでは　means that something has already happened, so the speaker
is using those results to predict/suggest something else . i.e. Looking at
these results we should do this.

〜いかんだ　: Based on how/whether 〜

名詞　＋　いかんだ

成績いかんで、大学に入学できるよ。
Depending on the results, it is possible to enter university.

成績いかんでは、大学に入れないこともあるよ
Depending on the results, it is possible(there are times where one) not
being able to enter university.

--- Examples ---
試験の結果いかんでは、卒業できないこともある
Depending on the exam results its possible also to fail graduation

実力テストの結果いかんでレベルを決める
On the basis of your test results, your level will be decided

天気いかんにかかわらず来ます
Regardless of the weather, I will come

占いの結果いかんでは、アメリカに帰ることになります。
depending on the fortune teller consultation, it will be decided if i will
return to America

天気いかんでは行きます
Depending on the weather, i will come

それは如何ともしがたい。
That cannot be helped one way or another.

その問題はあなたの態度如何によって決まることだ。
That issue would be decided depending on what your attitude will be on it.

スパイダーマンの運命や如何
What will be the fate of Spiderman!

その試合には国籍のいかんを問わず誰でも参加出来る。
Anyone can participate in the game, no matter what nationality they are.

幸福は環境いかんによるものでなくて、むしろ自分の人生に対する見方いかんによる。
Happiness depends, not so much on circumstances, as on one's way of looking
at one's life.

仕方がない、それはいかんともしがたい。
It can't be helped.

成功するかどうかは、君自身の努力いかんによる。
Whether you will succeed or not depends upon your own exertions.

成功は努力いかんによる。
Success depends on your efforts.

天候のいかんにかかわらず駅へ迎えに参ります。
Rain or shine, I will come to meet you at the station.

肌の色のいかんを問わず、彼は万人の言論の自由を擁護した。
He stood for freedom of speech for everyone regardless of color.

彼の命は判決いかんにかかっている。
His life hangs on the judge's decision.

--- Comments ---
My comments re によって is equally applicable to Examples 1 and 2.
(contributor: bamboo4)

占いの相談 is a strange Japanese. Normally, 占いの結果.
(contributor: bamboo4)

直った (contributor: dc)

RE 天気いかんでは, whether you say 来ます or 行きます, that
is an uncommon expression. One would say 次第では instead of
いかんでは.

(contributor: bamboo4)

＃1307 There is no such word as irregardless. Don't let the Japanese
double-beg fool you, the correct Eigo is Regardless, regardless of the
situation... (contributor: Stickler)

PS, make that double-neg. I can't type (contributor: Stickler)

welcome Stickler!
changes made, example upped to 'checked'... feel free to edit the examples
yourself too... (contributor: dc)

In notes dc[62], I think....
結果いかんでは is by emphasizing with では, implies more another
side than just 結果いかんで that you will not have a chance to go to
the next level depending on the result. You next action is decided after
the result of something is clear and see the situation you are in.
結果いかんで implies neutral. What to do is automatically followed by
the result. (contributor: Miki)

The difference between 結果如何で and 結果いかんでは disappears
when you say 結果如何で駄目になることがある and
結果如何では駄目になることがある.
(contributor: bamboo4)

ex#3353 this いかん is derivative of いかぬ, means
〜（しては）ならない
ex#3355 いかん　comes from the combination of 厳し「い」and
か「かん」ばつ　旱魃 drought. (contributor: Miki)

well spotted. i deleted those two examples... (contributor: dc)

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Sunday, February 8, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ やまない (yamanai) ]

やまない (yamanai) - not to stop

--- Examples ---
子供たちは親の愛を求めてやまない。
Kids don't stop seeking their parent's love.

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

ご健康を心から願ってやみません。
I (never stop) wish you good health.

--- Comments ---
Relevant grammar question & comments here (sixth post). (contributor:
Amatuka)

Formed from verb-te + yamanai. (Note that Vte is usually associated with
feelings & desires).

Vte = Verb, -te connective form. (contributor: Amatuka)

This expression is normally used in written Japanese; not conversaitonal
Japanese. I think this belong to Class 3. (contributor: bamboo4)

class 3 as in sankyuu? it seems more 1-kyuu to me, esp if only used
written? (contributor: dc)

Sorry, I made a mistake - I meant 1-kyuu. (contributor: bamboo4)

〜てやまない. This is often used with words such as 求める,
希望する, 祈る and 願う. (contributor: blabby)

This grammar is indeed for 1kyuu and does not always belog to the written
language. If you hold a speech the form '-teyamimasen'
「てやみません」

It comes from the word「やむ」that means stop. For example you can say
「雨いつごろやむかな」, which corresponds to when you in English
want to say 'When will it stop raining, I wonder'.

Or this
A>「あれ、ピアノの音がやんだ。レッスン終わったんだ」Eh?
The sound of the piano stopped. The lesson is over.

B>　「そうね」Yes, indeed.
(contributor: kuma)

I think ex #3368 doesn't really belongs to this category, rather it belongs
to the verb 「やむ」、although this grammar comes from the word
「やむ」。 (contributor: 誠)

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Saturday, February 7, 2009

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, February 6, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ に至って (niitatte) ]

に至って (niitatte) - very; very much; greatly; extremely.

--- Examples ---
破産しそうで破産に至っていない人
someone who is on the verge of bankruptcy but hasn't been through
bankruptcy

学生達も受験を目前にするに至って、やっとやる気になった。
When the university students reached the stage of their exams, they finally
got motivation.

いじめによる自殺が社会問題化するに至って、やっと文部省は重い腰を上げた。
Suicide due to bullying has reached the level of being one of society's
problems. Therefore, finally the ministry of education has decided to act.

--- Comments ---
I think a good translation for this would be 'When it reaches the
level/stage of..'.
My book says it is used for an extreme situation (極端な状態).
(contributor: blabby)

do you have any examples? (contributor: dc)

According to this excellent resource,

http://ws.31rsm.ne.jp/~toolware/dictionary/dictionary.html

We get this explanation 「〜になる」を更に強調した表現
(contributor: blabby)

In my opinion, this [に至って] is come from [に至る]. So,I agree
with blabby's examples. (contributor: murasaki1506)

I think the very or extremely meanings are usually
for「に至っては」. (contributor: aes)

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ 〜をおいて (〜wo oite) ]

〜をおいて (〜wo oite) - 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.

日本のミサから:「主よ、あなたは神の子キリスト、永遠の命の糧。あなたをおいて誰のところに行きましょう。」
From the Japanese Mass: 'Lord, you are Christ, the Son of God, Bread of
eternal life. Without you, to whom should we go?'

--- 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)

ozonitabetai, I don't know if I can say that your sentence is grammatically
incorrect, but I can say that I have a real tough time figuring out what it
is supposed to be saying^^: 'Except for what happened yesterday, how are
(you, we...) going home today?' is how it reads to me. So, I'd have to say
that for my two yen, it's probably not an ideal application of the grammar
point. (contributor: Lorenz)

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Today's Economics

Volume 53
02/04/2009

In this issue

• Main Articles
• Free Services & Links
• Refer-A-Friend and Win
• Forward to a Friend
• Risk Disclosures

Main Articles

Gold Set to Hit New Highs in 2009
Peter Cooper | January 31, 2009 | View It
"That would be in excess of $1,000 an ounce for gold and $20 an ounce for silver."

Fed Monetizes Debt - Investors Buy Gold
Boris Sobolev | February 2, 2009 | View It
"In January . . . In most currencies except in the US dollar and the Japanese yen, gold actually made an all-time-high."

Obama: Catastrophe Coming if Congress Doesn't Act Now
Andrew Taylor - AP | February 4, 2009 | View It
"A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe and guarantee a longer recession,"

Big Profits Ahead In Gold and Silver
Douglas V. Gnazzo | February 5, 2009 | View It
"I consider physical gold to be the safest. $1300 gold this year is very doable."

U.S. Debt Default, Dollar Collapse
James West | February 2, 2009 | View It
"The prospect of the United States defaulting on its debt is not just likely. It's inevitable, and imminent."

Free Services & Links

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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

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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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

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.

)「…となく…となく」の形で慣用的に用いる。
「夜≠ﾈく昼≠ﾈく」

--- 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。
I was gazing absentmindedly out of the window, when suddenly a large crow
flew towards me.

--- 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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Monday, February 2, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ もさることな��ら (mosarukotonagara) ]

もさることながら (mosarukotonagara) - is (such) but (____) is also

--- Notes ---
Not only~

--- Examples ---
路上駐車の問題解決には、自治体の対応もさることながら、地域住民の態度も大切な要素となる。
In solving the problem of street-parking of cars the response of the
council is obviously important but the attitude of the local residents is
also a significant factor.

アメリカではバスケもさることながらアメフトも人気だ
In America, Basketball is clearly popular but so is Football.

両親の意向もさることながら、子供自身が有名校にあこがれている。
Not only intention of the parents, the child himself has yearned to the
famous school.

--- Comments ---
See daijirin entry on 然ること
http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/search.php?MT=%A4%B5%A4%EB%A4%B3%A4%C8&kind=jn
(contributor: Paul)

See entry 'mo saru koto nagara'
http://www.geocities.com/easykanji/jlptgrammar.html (contributor: Paul)

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Grammar a Day - Level 1 [ まだしも (madashimo) ]

まだしも (madashimo) - would be much better, would be acceptable

--- Examples ---
一度ならまだしもここまで六回その言葉を間違えって書いた。
Once would be acceptable, but you've misspelled that word six times now.

この方がまだしもあれよりよい。
This would be better than that.

こんなひどい目に合うよりまだしも死んだほうがよい。
I would rather die than have such a terrible experience.

すうじつならまだしも１０日も滞納している。
A few days would have been excusable but you are in arrears for 10 days.

--- Comments ---
often appears with 'nara' in front, meaning '(if it were this) then that
would be OK, but...'
This was a correct answer on the 1kyuu in 2005. (contributor:
naimononedari)

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