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The Japanese typically apologize far more frequently than Westerners. This probably results from cultural differences between them. Westerners seem reluctant to admit their own failure. Since apologizing means that admitting one's own failure or guilt, it may not be best thing to do if the problem is to be resolved in a court of law.
Apologizing is considered a virtue in Japan. Apologies show that a person takes responsibility and avoids blaming others. When one apologizes and shows one's remorse, the Japanese are more willing to forgive. There are much less court cases in Japan compared to the States. When apologizing the Japanese often bow. The more you you feel sorry, the more deeply you bow. Here are some expressions used to apologize.
Sumimasen.
It is probably the most common phrase used to apologize. Some people say it as "Suimasen". Since "Sumimasen" can be used in several different situations (when requesting something, when thanking someone etc.), listen carefully to what the context is. If you are apologizing that something has been done, "Sumimasen deshita" can be used.
Moushiwake arimasen.
Very formal expression. It should be used to superiors. It shows a stronger feeling than "Sumimasen ". If you are apologizing that something has been done, "Moushiwake arimasen deshita " can be used. Like "Sumimasen", "Moushiwake arimasen" is also used to express gratitude.
Shitsurei shimashita.
Formal expression, but it doesn't show as strong a feeling as "Moushiwake arimasen ".
Gomennasai.
Common phrase. Unlike "Sumimasen," the usage is limited to apologizing. Since it is less formal and has a childish ring to it, it is not appropriate to use to superiors.
Shitsurei.
Casual. It is mostly used by men. It also can be used as "Excuse me".
Doumo.
Casual. It also can be used as "Thanks".
Gomen.
Very casual. Adding a sentence ending particle, "Gomen ne" or "Gomen na (male speech) is also used. It should be only used with close friends or family members.
Popular Movie Quotes Used Often:
* Sukatto shita zo! (That hit the spot!)
"Sukatto" is one of the onomatopoeic expressions. It describes elevated mood after solving a problem or nuisance. It also expresses "feeling satisfied" or "feeling refreshed". Long ago, Coca-Cola created the phrase "Sukatto sawayaka koka-koora" to advertise the product, which meant "total refreshment." The phrase became popular, and a part of the language in Japan as representing Coca-Cola. "~ zo" is a sentence-ending particle, and is used to emphasize. It is mainly used in male speech.
* Donna koto ga attemo hanarenai wa. (I am with you no matter what.)
"Hanarenai" is a negative form of the verb "hanareru (to separate)". "~ wa" is a sentence-ending particle. It is used only by women (This line was by Talia Shire), and expresses the speaker's volition or intimacy.
* Yoku aru koto yo. Ki ni shinaide. (It happens. Take it easy.)
"Yoku aru koto" means, "things often happen". "~ yo" is a sentence-ending particle, and expresses the speaker's emotion or strong feelings. "Ki ni shinai" is negative form of the phrase "ki ni suru (to worry, to be nervous)".
* Wakatta. (Got it.)
"Wakatta" is informal past tense of the verb "wakaru (to understand)". With rising intonation, it can be used as a question in informal speech ("You got it?").
* Ii zo! (Way to go!)
"Ii" is an adjective, and means "good". "~ zo" is a sentence-ending particle, and is used for emphasis, mainly by men.
* Yamete! (Cut it out!)
"Yamete" is the ~ te form of the verb "yameru (to stop)". The ~ te form can be used for a request in informal speech. This form is often used by female speakers.
* Akirameru na. (Never let go.)
"Akirameru" is the verb "to give up". "~ na" is informal negative imperative used only by men (This line was by Leonard Dicaprio). Female speakers normally say "akiramenaide" with using the negative form of the verb.
* Suppokashi? (He stood you up?)
"Suppokashi" is the noun form of the verb "suppokasu (to neglect, to let somebody down)". "Machibouke" is another word to express "to stand somebody up".
* Mou iya da. (I'm sick and tired of it.)
"Iyana" is an adjective, and means "unpleasant, nasty, or to get tired of". "Mou" means, "any more, any longer".
* Wakaru n da. (I can feel it.)
"Wakaru" is the verb "to understand". "~ n da" is a simple sentence-ending phrase, and has an explanatory or confirmatory function. Since there is no English equivalent, it often isn't translated.
Conversation Openers and Fillers
In conversations, openers and fillers are used quite often. They don't always have specific meanings. Openers are used as signals that you are about to say something, or to smooth communication. Fillers are usually used for pauses or hesitation. English also has similar expressions such as "so," "like," "you know," and so on. When you have opportunity to hear native speakers' conversation, listen carefully and examine how and when they are used. Here are some openers and fillers frequently used.
Marking a new topic-
Sore de
それで - So
De
で - So (informal)
Saying something off the topic:
Tokorode
ところで By the way
Hanashi wa chigaimasu ga
話が違いますが To change the subject
Hanashi chigau kedo
話、違うけど To change the subject (informal)
Adding to the current topic:
Tatoeba
たとえば For example
Iikaereba
言い換えれば In other words
Souieba
そういえば Speaking of
Gutaiteki ni iu to
具体的に言うと More concretely
Bringing up the main topic:
Jitsu wa
実は The fact is ~, To tell the truth
Shortening the preliminary topics
Sassoku desu ga
さっそくですが May I come straight
to the point?
Introducing someone or something you have just noticed:
A, Aa, Ara
あ､ああ､あら "ara" is mainly used by
female speakers.
Note: "Aa" can also be used to show that you understand.
Hesitation Sounds:
Ano, Anou
あの､あのう Used to get the listener's attention.
Eeto
ええと Let me see ...
Ee
ええ Uhh ...
Maa
まあ Well, say ...
Asking for repetition:
E
え
(with a rising intonation) What?
Haa
はあ
(with a rising intonation) What? (informal)
Japanese Back To Home Page Powers, Zodiac, and Blood Type
In Asian mythology, there are five elements, which are different from the European ones. The four European ones are wind, fire, water, and earth. The five elements in Asia are fire, water, wood, metal, and earth.
Blood type is important in Japan as well. Beliefs on personality relate to the type of blood possessed, which is why a lot of anime/manga, when listing statistics, also have the blood types.
In Japan, suffixes are added on to names to indicate respect, for affection, etc. A lack of a suffix indicates that you are extremely close to the person you are refering to.
-chan: -chan is used for younger children. It is also used for affection, closeness, or endearment.
-ko: A common suffix added as a real part of a girl's name.
-kun: Generally used for boys, though it's becoming more used for girls as well. For those you aren't extremely familiar with, but are younger than you or the same age.
-sama: For formal, or a great deal of, respect. It can equivilate to about Mr. or Ms., used in place if -kun sometimes. It is also used when calling someone a king or queen or other royalty.
-san: For respect. Usually you can call anyone who is older than yourself using this suffix, or whomever you are not close with. Using last names + the -san is typical. (friends call Usagi(me) 'Tsukino-san') "I know it is not uncommon for married couples refer to one another as "name + san", and I don't mean "Okaasan" and "Otousan" so it's not limited to people older than yourself or people you don't know well."
-tachi: When you talk about a group of people. For instance, saying 'Usagi-tachi' means 'Usagi and everyone with her' or 'Usagi and all those other people she's with.'
There are more suffixes, but some of these are the more common ones.
Some Stuff on Language and Writing:
The Japanese have three forms of writing: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Kanji is the writing based on Chinese characters. It's the "real" form of writing. Most of the writing is written in a combination of kanji and hiragana. Katakana is generally used for words that are borrowed from other languages other than Chinese, or for some sort of emphasis. Hiragana are for functional words or inflectional endings; however, hiragana can also be written in place of the more difficult kanji. (If you happen to read shoujo manga, you will notice tiny little characters next to the kanji; this is hiragana, called furigana.)
Most younger children do not learn kanji first; they learn to use hiragana and katakana, then learn to write frequently in kanji. The same is true for foreigners learning to write Japanese.
There is no distinguishing between the two letters 'r' and 'l.' They are said as either r or l, or together, even though the 'l' technically does not exist.
Family names are said first in Japanese (as well as Chinese and other Asian languages), and the individual names second. It's more correct to call Usagi "Tsukino Usagi" rather than "Usagi Tsukino," Generally it doesn't matter, unless you're in the library looking up someone who's Asian.
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