The Japanese language has unique expressions that are difficult to translate into English, such as “yoroshiku onegai shi masu” and “otsukare sama.”
In addition, there are many expressions in Japanese that reflect the spirit of the Japanese people. Many of them were born out of a sincere consideration for others.
That is why there are many ambiguous expressions that avoid stating things directly.
For example, when someone asks, “Are you happy?” we might answer, “To a certain extent,” out of consideration for the possibility that the other person may not be so happy.
If you don’t want to actually invite someone round, but wish to maintain a good relationship with them, you can say something like, “Please come visit us sometime.”
The person you are talking to will understand your intentions and might answer, “Thank you. I’ll see you soon.” In Japanese, it is also common to use such expressions to keep the peace.
In Japanese, there are some phrases that are not meant to be taken literally, and there are also some corresponding replies to them.
This may be difficult to understand for many foreign language speakers who think of language as a tool for communication. However, this style of conversation is, so to speak, a matter of etiquette.
Conversation in Japanese involves a heart-to-heart exchange that allows us to experience spiritual enrichment.
日本語には、
nihonngo niha,
(the) Japanese language
「よろしくお願いします」
“yoroshiku onegai shi masu”
yoroshiku onegai shimasu
お「疲」れさま
“otsukare sama”
and otsukaresama
翻訳しにくい
honnyaku shi nikui
(that) are difficult to translate
表現が
hyougenn ga
expressions
日本人
nihonnjinn
(the) Japanese people
心を
kokoro wo
(the) spirit
反映している
hannei shite iru
(that) reflect
表現が
hyougenn ga
expressions
思いやり
omoiyari
(a) sincere consideration
生まれたものです。
umareta mono desu.
were born
そのため、
sono tame,
that is why
直接的な
chokusetsu’teki na
directly
言い方を
iikata wo
stating things
表現が
hyougenn ga
expressions
多いのです。
ooi no desu.
there are many
例えば、
tatoeba,
for example
「幸せですか?」
“shiawase desu ka?”
are you happy?
と聞かれた
to kikareta
someone asks
相手が
aite ga
that (the) other person
あまり幸せでない
amari shiawase de nai
may not be so happy
可能性を考え、
kanousei wo kanngae,
(the) possibility
配慮
hairyo
consideration
「それなりに」
“sorenari ni”
to a certain extent
ことがあります。
koto ga ari masu.
(we) might
実際には
jissai niha
actually
招待する気はない
shoutai suru ki ha nai
you don’t want to invite someone round
関係は
kannkei ha
(a) relationship (with them)
保ちたい
tamochi tai
wish to maintain
遊びに来て
asobi ni kite
come visit us
のような
no you na
something like
言い方をします。
iikata wo shi masu.
you can say
相手も
aite mo
(the) person you are talking to
その言葉に含まれた意図を
sono kotoba ni fukumareta ito wo
your intentions
察して、
sasshite,
will understand and
「ありがとう。
“arigatou.
thank you
そのうちに」
sono uchi ni”
I’ll see you soon
などと答えます。
nado to kotae masu.
might answer
ほどよい関係性を
hodoyoi kannkeisei wo
(the) peace
表現
hyougenn
(such) expressions
使われます。
tsukaware masu.
(it is) to use
言葉通りの
kotoba doori no
literally
意味でない
imi de nai
(that) are not meant to be taken
言い回しも
iimawashi mo
some phrases
対応する
taiou suru
corresponding
あります。
ari masu.
there are (some)
コミュニケーション
komyunike-shonn
communication
考えている
kanngaete iru
(who) think
外国語話者
gaikokugo’washa
foreign language speakers
理解しにくい
rikai shi nikui
difficult to understand
ことかもしれません。
koto kamo shiremasenn.
(this) may be
このような会話術は、
kono youna kaiwa’jutsu ha,
this style of conversation
作法
sahou
(a) matter of etiquette
会話には、
kaiwa niha,
conversation
精神的
seishinn’teki
spiritual
豊かさが
yutakasa ga
enrichment
実感できる
jikkann dekiru
[that] allows us to experience
心の
kokoro no
heart-to-heart
交流が
kouryuu ga
(a[n]) exchange