Japanese has a rich vocabulary compared to English, but it can convey delicate nuance.
For instance, the English word “you” is generally translated as “anata,” but in actual conversation, many other words are used.
Sentence endings also vary in accordance with this.
“Anata ha ima isogashii desu ka” (Are you busy now?) is used as a standard sentence in Japanese textbooks.
However, few people use the word “anata” in daily conversation.
When a woman says “anata” to a man, it implies that he is her husband or they have an intimate relationship.
Instead of using “anata,” both men and women generally use surnames, adding “san” at the end.
Some men address friends or subordinates by their family or first name.
In addition, some people attach “kun” to the end of a name when speaking to friends or subordinates.
Some people use “kimi” with friends or subordinates, without addressing a person by name.
Many women address their friends by their first name instead of by their family name.
With superior people, it’s common to use not their name, but their job title.
Many people address children adding “chan” after their first name.
Some men use “omae” with their wives, children and close friends.
When men speak ill to others, they sometimes use “kisama” or “temee.”
(From January issue, 2014 / 2014年1月号より)
日本語には
Nihongo niwa/ha
Japanese
比べると
kuraberu to
compared to
語彙が
goi ga
(a) vocabulary
ニュアンスを
nyuansu o/wo
nuance
伝えることが
tsutaeru koto ga
convey
たとえば、
Tatoeba,
for instance
英語の
Eigo no
(the) English (word)
訳されることが
yakusareru koto ga
translated
一般的
ippanteki
generally
さまざまな
samazamana
many other
使われます。
tsukawaremasu.
are used
伴い、
tomonai,
in accordance with
変化します。
henka shimasu.
vary
「あなたは、
“Anata wa/ha,
Anata ha
日本語の
Nihongo no
Japanese
テキスト
tekisuto
textbooks
標準的な
hyoujuntekina
standard
使われています。
tsukawarete imasu.
is used
日常会話
nichijou’kaiwa
daily conversation
「あなた」は
“anata” wa/ha
(the word) anata
あまり使いません。
amari tsukaimasen.
few people use.
「あなた」と
“anata” to
to anata
夫、
otto,
(he is her) husband
親密な
shinmitsuna
intimate
関係に
kankei ni
(a) relationship
ニュアンスが含まれます。
nyuansu ga fukumaremasu.
(it) implies
男女
Danjo
men (and) women
一般的に
ippantekini
generally
使わず、
tsukawazu,
instead of using
「田中さん、
“Tanaka san,
Tanaka san
部下には
buka niwa/ha
subordinates
男性もいます
dansei mo imasu
some men
話しかける
hanashikakeru
speaking
人もいます
hito mo imasu
some people
「田中君、
“Tanaka kun,
Tanaka kun
話しかける
hanashikakeru
speaking
人もいます
hito mo imasu
some people
「田中君、
“Tanaka kun,
Tanaka kun
言わずに
iwazu ni
without addressing (a person)
人もいます
hito mo imasu
some people
友達には
tomodachi niwa/ha
(their) friends
名字
myouji
(by their) family name
ではなく、
dewa/ha naku,
instead of
名前
namae
(their) first name
目上の人
Meue no hito
superior people
ではなく
dewa/ha naku
not ~ but
肩書を
katagaki o/wo
(their) job title
用いる方が
mochiiru hou ga
to use [rather]
子どもには
Kodomo niwa/ha
children
名前の
namae no
(their) first name
「直美ちゃん、
“Naomi chan,
Naomi chan
忙しいの?」
isogashii no?”
busy
男性もいます
dansei mo imasu
some men
忙しいのかい?」。
isogashii no kai?”
busy
「貴様」、
“kisama,”
kisama(or)
こともあります。
koto mo arimasu
sometimes