Japanese Conversation Conveying Feelings 180 Basic Expressions

ビン千神なさ

Listen
&

^peakq

❹な何に テンパってるの?
Nani tenpatteru no?

❽社長に急かされて。焦るよ。
しゃちょう せ あせ

Shacho ni sekasarete. Aseruyo.

❹ What are you so upset about? nani = why?
sekasu = rush someone
❽ The company president told me to hurry.
It's making me anxious.

2❹プレゼン、午後からだね。大丈夫?

Purezen, gogo kara da ne. Daijobu?
❽もうテンパっちゃって大変ですよc

たいへん

Mo tenpacchatte taihen desu yo.

Q Your presentation starts this afternoon, purezen = presentation；

doesn't it. How are you feeling? abbreviated form of the

❽ I'm already terribly worked up. word "presentation"

畫・ op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People* ■■■■・ね 23j^

I value direct communication from mind to mind. |

There is a saying Ishin-denshin (以/О伝心\:that which comes from
the heart will go to the heart)/1 People prefer to express their
consideration by action, rather than communicating with words. This
phrase originates from Zen and means you are able to communicate
I directly from mind to mind.

101

J I Tight spots

四苦八苦(する) To be in distress

し く はっ く

Shikuhakku(suru)

Indicates having a hard time because the situation is not as desired
in spite of all one's efforts.

Listen^

1❻普段、手紙なんか書かないから、辞書引きながら四苦八苦

して書いたよ。

Fudan, tegami папка kakanai kara,jisho hikinagara shikuhakku
shite kaita yo.
❽私も手紙はあんまり書かないな。
Watashi mo tegami wa anmari kakanai na.

❹ I hardly ever write a letter, so I'm ★ anmari 〜nai =
writing with difficulty while consuiting
the dictionary. conversational form of uamari...

© I don't write letters very often, either. nai (not too...)"

2❻彼かれ のために周まわ りが四[しく苦7はは八っつく7苦してるのに、ほ本んに人ん はまるで

他人事のようです。

たにんこと/ひとこと

Kare no tame ni mawari да shikuhakku shiteru noni, honnin wa

marude taningoto / hitogoto no yo desu.

❽困ったもんですね。

Komatta mon desu ne.

〇 Everyone around is going to so much marude- = as if like ~
trouble because of him, but he acts
as if it's not his concern. taningoto / hitogoto =

❽ What a piece of work. someone else's business

-monda = Used to emphasize

some feeling or thought.；
conversational form of " ~
mono da (It is ...)"

102

G ビン千•芋静のなさ

sten^B

❹作品、出した?

Sakuhin/ dashНа?

❽まだ。いま必死でやってる。四苦八苦してるよ。
ひっし じく lio C

Mada. Ima hisshide yatteru. Shikuhakku shiteru yo.

❹ Did you submit the work? sakuhin = work； production

❽ Not yet. Гт working on it with all my
might. It's giving me a lot of trouble.

2❹もう必死で本読んだけど、ちんぷんかんぷん。
ひっし ほんよ

Mo hisshide hon уonda п dakedof chinpunkanpun.

❽わかるよ。私もそうだもの。

Wakaruyo. Watashi mo so da mono.

❹ I tried really hard to read the book, chinpunkanpun = gibberish；
but I couldn't make any sense of it.
completely unable to
© I understand. Same here.
understand something written

or spoken

103

J Tight spots

ぎりぎり Just barely

Girigiri

Almost at the limit; nothing to spare

Listen^

1,SpMk4

❹とりあえず、時間ぎりぎりまで粘ろうC
Toriaezu,jikan girigiri made nebard.

❽そうですね。

So desu ne.

Q Anyway, let's stick to it right up to the nebaru = stick to it
deadline.

❽ Right.

2❹今の仕事、どう?きっそうだけど。

Ima no shigoto, do? Kitsuso dakedo.
❽うん…。続っづ けられるかどうか、一ぎりぎ^り^のじ状ょう態たい だねC

Un.... Tsuzukerareru ka doka, girigiri nojotai da ne.

〇 How is your current job? It seems hard. kitsui = demandi ng

Yeah. Гт at my limit, not sure if П1 be able
to continue.

「¥50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People. ■■■■■■

Square minded
In general, Japanese people are serious and when they are under
pressure, they don't talk much and their facial expression gets fierce.
Being under pressure, they avoid making ,jokes. Joking is considered as
not taking issues seriously and people joking around may get blamed.
If you enjoy being funny, pay attention if it is a suitable moment to be
making jokes.

104

G ピン千•予灣のなさ

せっぱ詰まって Under the gun, pieasuns晉
cornered ゝ
Seppa tsumatte © mxci enf @

Desperately hurrying in a sink-or-swim situation ©
襄
Listen yanks
©p
总peaも
A
❻ごめん、レポートの提出でせっぱ詰まってて、とても行け nx豆
ていしゅつ い

る状況じゃないんだ。

Goment repoto no teshutsu de seppa tsumattete, totemo ikeru
jokyoja nai n da.

❽えつ、そうなんだ。わかった。頑張ってね。

Ett, so nan da. Wakatta. Ganbatte ne.

Q Sorry, Гт under the gun with the deadline totemo-nai = absolutely

for this report, and there's no way I can not~

go.

❽ Oh, really? OK. Good luck.

2 〇ぎりぎりまで頑張ったけど、もうだめ。

Girigiri made ganbatta kedo, mo dame.
❽いいよ、いいよ。あまりせっぱ詰まってやっても、いいも

のできないよ。

Iyo, Jyo. Amari seppa tsumatteyattemo, Tmono dekinaiyo.

Q I gave it my best, right up to the limit, but : ★ amari 〜temo...nai =
I'm all in.
even if~f not...
❽ That's OK. The results aren't good if you
rush too much. у

105

J Tight spots

44

Arubaito oyatou n desu ka.
❽ええcお客さんの数が増えて、一人では手が回らなくなっ

たんです。

Ё. Okyakusan no kazu даfuete, hitori dewa te да
mawaranakunatta n desu.

Q Are you hiring a part-time worker? yatoi/= hire

© Yes. Now that 1 have more customers,
I'm no Ionger able to do it all by myself.

2❹新しいカーテンは買いましたか。

Atarashikaten wa kaimashita ka.

❽いえ、まだです。今、仕事がすごく忙しくて、家のことま

で手が回らないんですC
て まわ

/e, mada desu. Ima, shigoto да sugoku isogashikute, ie no koto
made te да mawaranai n desu.

〇 Did you buy the new curtains? ★ fcaten = curtain

© No, not yet. I'm so busy at work these
days that I can't manage the house as
well.

106

ビン千•簿のなさ SvrpriSJSoQ襄

身動きがとれないUp to one's ears 〇
@
み うご
c3
Miugoki да torenai 0
03
Overwhelmed, mentally at wit's end. 32ゝ•

Listen^| Tglu 丁

❹週末、どこかおいしいものを食べに行かない?
しゅうまっ た し、

Shumatsu, dokoka oishimono 〇 tabe ni ikanai?

❽ごめん。いま、忙しくて身動きとれない状態なんだс
いそが みうご じょうたい

Gomen. Ima, isogashikute miugoki torenaijotai nan da.

Q Do you want to go somewhere for dokoka = dokoka ni；

delicious food over the weekend? somewhere

© Sorry. Гт so busy right now that I'm
just up to my ears.

Inferesl

2❹そんなにいろいろ抱かか えてたら、あ新たらしいことには手て が'回爲らな
いでしょ?

Sonnani iroiro kakaetetara, atarashTkoto niwa te ga mawaranai
desho?

❽確かに。身動きとれないよ。
たし みうご
Tashika ni. Miugoki torenaiyo.

〇 With so many things on your plate, isn't it kakaeru = hold or face
impossible to take on something new?
Arwefy
❽ You're right. I am overwhelmed.

107

Tsurakatta to omou kedo, yoku ganbatta ne.
❽うん〇まあ、どうにかこうにか立ち直れたよ。

Un. Ma, donika konika tachinaoreta yo.

Q I'm sure it was hard, but you gave it tachinaoru = recover； get

your all. over something

❽ Yeah. Somehow I have managed to get
back on my feet.

2❻息子さん、立派になりましたね。
むすこ リつば

Musukosan, rippa ni narimashita ne.

❽どうにかこうにか、人を頼らないで、自分のことは自分で

できるようになりました。

Donika konika, hito 〇 tayoranaide, jibun no koto wajibun de
dekiru yoni narimashita.

Q Your son has turned out very well. rippa(na) = fine； splendid

❽ Somehow he has become able to fend Hito 〇 tayoru = rely on
for himself without relying on others.
others

108

〇 ビン千・苹静のなさ

泣きたくなる To feel like crying © Emxecarseumreen t、-

な

Nakitakunaru

Feeling so overwhelmed that one wants to cry out.

@

な —T ks

Honto ni mo! Nakitakunaru yo.

❽どうしたの? そんなにこわい顔して。

Doshita no?Sonnani kowai kao shite.

Q Really, I've had it! It makes me want to cry. kowai = scary； fierce
❽ You look so upset. What's the matter?

2❹会社は倒産したけど、どうにかこうにかやってます。大丈

夫です。

Kaisha wa tosan shita kedo, donika konika yattemasu. Daijobu
desu.
❽よかった。でも、いきなり贍だなんて呼きたくなるよね。
Yokatta. Demo, ikinari tosan da nante, nakitakunaru yo ne.

〇 ・rhe company went bankrupt but Гт tdsan(suru) = to go
somehow getting by. It's OK.
bankrupt
© That's good. But suddenly hearing about
the bankruptcy just makes me want to cry.

孑.op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People*» ■■■■■■ <«|251

I Fall tree catch much wind

を There is an expression deru kugi wa utareru which literary means a
nail that stands up will be pounded down. As you can see from this

$ expression, you will get a blame if you stand out too much in Japan.
Normally, people avoid standing out and try to blend in with others.

109

Hatred / Displeasure 46

何それ? What's that?
What do you mean?
! なに

Nani sore?

Used to show doubts, surprise and disappointments towards the
remarks of the other person

Listen ❹また税金が上がるんだって。

SpU,

ぜいきん あ

Mata zekin да agaru n datte.

❽何ねに それ? この間、上げたばっかりじゃない。
あいだ あ

Nani sore? Kono aida, ageta bakkarija nai.

Q I hear that the tax is going up again. ~ta bakkari = ~ta bakari-,

❽ What do you mean? It just went up the ^ave(0П*У)Just~

other day.

z❻仕事が遅いって? 何それ?こんなに一生懸命やってる
E しざと おそ
ねに いっしょうけんめい

のに。

Shigoto да osoi tte? Nani sore? Konnani isshokenmeyatteru

noni.

❽ほんとだよね。

Honto da yo ne.

Q Гт slow with my work? Whafs that? isshdkenme = for one's life；

Don*t they see me working this hard? (very) hard

❽ No kidding. You can say that again.

110

«3

イラ っと する Pet peeves, annoyed

Iratto suru

Used to express when one is annoyed at something, or feel irritated
and unpleasant

isten^H

❻最近、イラっとすること多〈ない?

Saikin, iratto suru koto oku nai?

❽何それ? 私が何か問題あるみたいじゃない。
疥泄’、 わたしなに もんだい

Nani sore? Watashi да nanika mondai aru mitaija nai.

Q Don't you feel annoyed and irritated a -mitai = like lool like ~；
lot recently?
seem sound ~
❽ What's that supposed to mean? It
sou nds as if I had some problem.

8❹あのアルバイトはちょっと失礼なところがありますね。
しつれい
Ano arubaito wa chotto shitsure na tokoro да arimasu ne.

❽へえ。田中さんでも人の態度にイラっとすること、あるん
たなか ひと たいど ーー——

だね。

He. ■Tanaka-san demo hito no taido ni iratto suru koto, aru n da
ne.

Q That part time worker is rude at times isn't tokoro = a part or an area

he?

❽ Ohhh….So even Mr. Tanaka does have a
pet peeve with people's attitudes at times,
too.

Hatred / Displeasure

よく言う You can talk, look who's talking,
don't make me laugh
Yoku iu

Used to express the feeling of being offended and wanting to refute
to what someone said.

Listen ❹〈メールについて〉

总ptakq どうしていつもすぐ返事をくれないの!
〈M@ru nitsuite)
Doshite itsumo sugu henji 〇 kurenai no!

❽よく言うよ。こっちのセリフだよ。
Yoku iu yo. Kocchi no serifu da yo.

Q (about the e-mail> serifu = words； one's line

Why are you always so slow at answering
my emails?

❽ You're a fine one to talk. Thafs my line.

2❺ぼくの責任だって?よく言うよ。何も知らないくせに。
… せきにん --------- 冨----- なに し

Boku no sekinin datte?Yoku iuyo. Nani mo shiranai kuseni.

❽だって、そうでしょ。

Datte, so desho.

Q My responsibility? Don't make me laugh. datte = because； the reason

You don't even know anything. why is

❽ Face it, isn't that true?

112

勘弁 Pardon, put up with,
tolerate
かんべん

Kanben

Used to express the feeling of discomfort toward the speech and
action of others, wishing they would stop doing it.

1❹毎晩遅くまで飲んで…。勘弁してよ。こっちは子供の世話
まいばんおそ の かんべん こども せわ

で大変なんだから。
たいへん

Maiban osoku made nonde.... Kanben shiteyo. Kocchi wa

kodomo no sewa de taihen nan da kara.

❽ごめん、ごめん。

Gomen, gomen.

❹ You drink till late every night---. Give me a sewa = care
break, Гт having my handful with raising

the kids.

❽ Гт sorry, Гт really sorry.

2❻またぼくが掃除するの? 忙しいのに勘弁してほしいな°

Mata boku да soji suru no? Isogashinoni kanben shitehoshTna.
❽よく言うよ。この前さぼったでしょ。

い まえ

Yoku iuyo. Konomae sabottadesho.

Q I have to clean up again?丨 wish you'd give saboru = skip； slack off

me a break, I'm busy.

❽ Listen to you. You skipped cleaning the
other day, didn't you?

Hatred / Displeasure 金

これはないよね。やっぱり問題だよ。
---------------------- もんだい

{Daijin no mondai hatsugen no nyusu 〇 mite)

Kore wa naiyo ne. Yappari mondai dayo.

❽そうだね。

So da ne.

Q (after watching the news about the yappari = just as I thought；
minister's controversial remark) He
shouldn't have said that. Those words after all
are really wrong.

❽ Yes, I think so, too.

2❻彼、いきなり「明日から来なくていい」って言われたんだって。
かれ あした こ い

Kare, ikinari nAshita kara konakute Г tte iwareta n datte.

❽えー、ひどい。それはないんじゃない。

£e, hidoi. Sore wa nai nja nai.

〇 He was told all of a sudden, that he ★ ikinari = abruptly； suddenly

wouldn't have to come from tomorrow.

❽ Thafs not fair! Who in their right mind

could do such a thing?

うっとうしい G

UttoshT 一Disgusting, be bothered

It is an expression used to express the feeling of being annoyed at
something troublesome

Listen
Speak^

❹このコマーシャル、うっとうしいねс ec r»»お
Kono komasharu, uttoshi ne. ま

❽ほんと。さっきから何回もやってるよ。
なんかい
Honto. Sakki kara nankai mo yatteru yo.

〇 ・rhis commercial is so annoying, it really komasharu = commercial
bothers me.

Q It sure is. They've been doing it over
and over.

2❹もうほっといて。あれこれ言われても、うっとうしいだけс

Mo hottoite. Are kore iwaretemo, uttoshi dake.

❽それはないでしょ。心配して言ってるのに。
しんばい い

Sore wa nai desho. Shinpai shite itteru noni.

❻ All right, leave me alone. Ifs annoying ★ hottoite = leave alone；
to hear you say this and that.
none of your business； don't
❽ Are you serious? I'm saying it because Г
紀9 me( shortened form of
m worried about you.
hotteoite

I Avoid conflict and argument I
115
Japanese people are known as submissive. Even when they disagree

:for political and social reasons,汁 is unusual for them to bring up their

opinion with their seniors. In old days, people used to say just follow

the authorities and it seems this philosophy still remains. It is more

common for them to whinge to their close circles only.

«Ю 8 報》・ ET 0 «W 0 昨皿 3 ЧШ) «SK№ 耐》* ・ 昨

Hatred / Displeasure

日S The Worst Case,
Saiaku Woe is me

It is used to express a heart that is lamenting over some very bad
situation or content.

❹ Woe is me, that I have to work together issho ni = together with
with such a person. ★ -kara = so~； Used to

❽ Well, well. It*s only for a short time. abbreviate words that follow.

窓❻最??饶悪龙 。あ雨め降ふ ってきたのに、か傘さ持も ってこなかったし、財さい布ふ も
忘れて来ちゃった〇

Saiaku. Amefuttekita noni, kasa motte konakatta shi, saifu mo
wasurete kichatta.

〇ついてないね。

Tsuiteinai ne.

〇 This is bad. It*s raining now, and 1 forgot tsuiteinai = unlucky； out of
to bring my umbrella, and to top it all
off, I forgot my wallet. luck

❽ It's your unlucky day.

116

孵

〜(の)ほうがまし It's better than

〜(No) ho да mashi

Used to give another example in comparison to something while
stating that though it is similarly not good, it is still better. This
works to emphasize one's low evaluation or feelings of dislike.

1❹彼は結婚相手としてどう思う?

Kare wa kekkon aite toshite do omou?
❽ない、ない。彼と結婚するくらいならずっと独身のほうが

まし。

Nai, nai. Kare to kekkon suru kurai nara zutto dokushin no ho ga
mashi.

Q What do you think of him as a marriage A nara В = better В than

partner? A

❽ Oh no, never. It's better to stay single than
to marry him.

2❹最悪。こんな成績が記録に残るなら、出場しなかったほう

がましだったな。

Saiaku. Konna seseki да kiroku ni nokoru nara, shutsujo
shinakatta ho ga mashi datta na.
❽そんなことないよ。
Sonna koto naiyo.

Q Ifs the worst case. If this is the result that shutsujd(suru) = to
would be left on record, I wish I hadn't
participated. participate

❽ No, that's not so.

117

Hatred / Displeasure め

50

話にならない To be out of the question,
far from acceptable
Hanashi ni naranai

(1) Unable to exchange thoughts.
(2) Something is too terrible to have any

room for consideration.

Listen^B

❹社長は人の意見を聞くつもりなんかないからね。話になら

ないよ。

Shacho wa hito no iken 〇 kiku tsumori папка nai kara ne.
Hanashi ni naranai yo.
❽そうなんだよね。
So nan da уо пе.

❹ The president never lends his ear to iken = opinion
others' opinion. So it is out of a question
to try talking to him.

❽ 1 know that's true.

2❹き求ゅう人じん広こうこ告く を出だ したけど、応おう募ぼ してきた人ひと はみんな、だめ。

全然話にならなかった。

ぜんぜんはなし

Kyujin кдкоки 〇 dashita kedo, obo shite kita hito wa minna,
dame. Zenzen hanashi ni naranakatta.
❽そうなんだ。

So nan da.

❹丨 advertised a job opening, but all the :ヽ kyujin =job offer
:ゴ 〇^〇 (suru) = to apply (for)
people who applied were no good. There
was no room for consideration, it was that
bad.

❽ Is that so?

118

G

©ありえない No Way, cannot believe,
impossible
Arienai

Used to show feeling of discomfort, after seeing or hearing
something utterly unacceptable.

Listen

gp監ね

❹このシャツ、どう? お父さんに。
とう
Kono shatsu, do? Otosan ni.

❽ありえない。色もデザインも全然違うと思う。
---------------------- いろ ぜんぜんちが おも

Arienai. Iro mo dezain mo zenzen chigau to omou.

Q What do you think of this shirt? Ifs for dad. chigau = distinct from

❽ No way. Both the color and the design don't what one is expecting
suite him.

2❹このき給ゅうり料ょう、ありえないよね。これだけほ働たらいて。

Kono куйгуд, arienaiу〇 ne. Koredake hataraite.

❽ほんと、話にならない。一緒にやめようか。
はなし いっしょ

Honto, hanashi ni naranai. Isshoniуатеуд ka.

❹丨 can't believe the amount of payment I've : * koredake = this much；
just received, after working so much!
so much； so many
❽Me neither. It's out of the question. Shall we
quit together?

昨 op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People*» 271ヽ

I Being patient when they are dissatisfied |
i
Many Japanese people dont express their dissatisfaction and they
don't even say 计 loud. This is to avoid conflict, however, it may cause
further conflict and complication.

囂^

119

Hatred / Displeasure

ふざけないで Don't be ridiculous,
no jesting with me,
Fuzakenaide stop messing around

Used to express feeling of discomfort toward the other person's
attitude or behavior, which betrays your expectation.

Listen 相談もなしに勝手に留学するって決めて、「学費と生活費をよろ
Speak, しく」だなんて、ふざけないでって言いたい。

Sodan mo nashi ni katte ni ryugaku suru tte kimetef "Gakuni to
sekatsuhi oyoroshiku"da nante, fuzakenaide tte Ttai.

I'd like to tell him to stop messing around gakuhi = academic fees
sekatsuhi = living expenses
with me. What does it mean by “I'm
thanking you in advance for the academic
fees and living expenses", when he
selfishly decided to study abroad without
consuiting me.

2❹せっかく何時間もかけて作ったのに、何の言葉もないなん

て、ふざけないでより

Sekkaku nanjikan mo kakete tsukutta noni, nan no kotoba mo nai
nante, fuzakenaide yo.
❽ごめん、ごめん、おいしかったよ。ほんと。

Gomen, gomen, oishikattayo. Honto.

❹ Don't be so mean. You can say a word : ★ sekkaku-noni = with
or two of appreciation, knowing I made
this with considerable effort and time, considerable effort (trouble)

❽ I'm sorry. It was delicious, really.

120

G

最低 The Worst, disgusting

Saite

Used to strongly express the negative evaluation and discomfort
toward something.

peak上!

❽ふざけないでよ。今まで貸した分、全然返してないじゃな

い。もう、最低!
Fuzakenaide yo. Imamade kashita bun, zenzen kaeshite naija
nai. Mo, saite!

Q Sorry to ask you, but can you lend me ★ zenzen-nai = never-；

some money again? not~at all

❽ Are you out of your mind? You never
return the money 1 lend you before. You're
so disgusting!

2❹うちの部長、最低。また社長にゴマすってた。
ふちょう さいてい しゃちょう

Uchi no bucho, saite. Mata shacho ni дота sutteta.

❽また? そういう人だよ、あの人は。
ひと ひと
Mata?Sdiu hito da уо, апо hito wa.

0 Му manager is horrible. He was acting дота 〇 suru (an idiom)
obsequiously to the company's president
again. : = brown-nose

❽ Again? That guy--- he's just that kind of
person.

8
121

Anger

ムカッと来る To get annoyed

<

Mukatto kuru

Expresses that the speaker is disgusted by someone's speech and
behavior.

Listen^B

❻あんなにガミガミ言われたら、誰でも厶カッと来ますよ。
Annanigamigami iwaretara, dare demo mukatto kimasuyo.

❽そうだね。
So da ne.

〇 Anyone would go into a tantrum when gamigami = a manner of
getting nagged like that.
speaking when someone
❽ True.
nags or complains

aggressively

窓❹厶カッと来ることがあると、よくバッティングセンターに
行くんだ。'

Mukatto kuru koto да аги to, уоки battingu senta ni iku n da.
❽それ、いいね。

Sore, T ne.

Q When I feel disgusted, I often go to a 噸 ~koto да aru to = when I ~

batting cage.

❽ That's a good idea.

むかつく ・ Be pissed off :

Mukatsuku

Expresses an instantaneous anger.

Listen
5РЦ

❹今の店員、むかつくなあсすごく失礼な言い方だよС
いま てんいん しつれい い かた

Ima no ten'in, mukatsuku na. Sugoku shitsure na ikata dayo.

❽私もムカッと来た。客に言うセリフじゃないよね。
わたし 奮 きゃく し、

Watashi mo mukatto kita. Kyaku ni iu serifuja naiyo ne.

〇 That sales clerk pisses me off. He shitsure(na) = rude；
sounded very rude.
impolite
© I felt the same. It was an inappropriate
way of communicating with customers.

2❹私がドラえもんに似てるって? むかつく。
わたし に -----------------

Watashi да Doraemon ni niteru tte? Mukatsuku.

❽自分のほうこそ、ゴリラみたいな顔してるのにね。

Jibun no ho koso, gorira mitai na kao shiteru noni ne.

Q He said 1 looked like Doraemon? 1 am ★ ~koso = an expression to
emphasize something in
pissed off. particular.

❽ He shouldn't have talked like that when ★ ~kao 〇 suru = has a face like
he has a face like a gorilla.
~ ； has a look of ~

Kono keyakusho, ddiu koto desu ka. Yakusoku да chigaimasu.
❽確認いたします。

Kakunin itashimasu.

Q Whafs going on with this contract -itashimasu = a polite way
document? This is not what we agreed
upon. of saying ''to do

❽ I will confirm it.

2❹いったいどういうことでしょうか。きちんとわかるように

説明してください。

Ittai ddiu koto desho ka. Kichinto wakaru yoni setsume shite
kudasai.
❽わかりました。
Wakarimashita.

•• ittai = an expression of

Q What on earth is going on? Please explain emphasis

properly so that 1 can understand.

❽ Okay.

124

a 履り

頭に来る Get mad

あたま く

Atama ni kuru

Expresses a feeling of anger. More colloquial than hara ga tatsu.

Listen Qもう、本当に頭に来ちゃう、うちの親。
&

SpeaL

ほんとうあたま き おや

Mo, honto ni atama ni kichauf uchi no oya.

❽どうしたの? いつも仲がいいのに。

Doshita no? Itsumo пака да Тnoni.

Q Oh, I got really mad at my parents. uchino = my family's ； my
naka = relationship
❽ Whafs wrong? You always get along well
with them.

2❹わ私たがしか勝っ手て に決き めたって、それ、どういうこと? そんなふ

うに言われると頭に来るC
い あたま く

Watashi да katte ni kimeta tte, sore, ddiu koto?Sonnafuni

iwareru to atama ni kuru.

❽だって、そうなんだもの。 ©證г

Datte, so nan da mono. ラ
&
Q You insist I took it on myself? What do katte ni = without asking «
you mean? I am getting mad.
es
© Because that was what happened. Irimr

营a

125

L Anger

かんかん Being extremely mad

Kankan

Expresses that the speaker is enraged by someone's speech and
behavior.

Listen
^peak^

あの二人、練習をさぼったみたいで、コーチがかんかんに怒っ

てました。

Anofutari, renshu 〇 sabotta mitai def kochi да kankan ni
okottemashita.

The coach was extremely mad as they :* saboru = skip
seemed to have skipped training.

2留年したら、親がかんかんになって。学費は自分で出すことに

なりました。

Ryunen shitara, оуа да kankan ni natte. Gakuhi wa jibun de dasu
koto ni narimashita.

My parents are extremely mad as I repeated ★ ryunen(suru) = to repeat a
a school year. Now I have to pay my own
school fees. school year

・ 〇^ 50 Hints for Understanding Jcipcinese People»»»曲

I Expression using body parts - head 1

There are many expressions using atama (head). Atama ni kuru (furious),
atama да 7 (clever), atama да kireru (smart), atama да katai (stubborn)
and so on. Atama is used to express not only physical actions, but also
physiological state. There are many expressions using head in Japanese.

«И» 4ВЯ» «№» 0 0 «Я» «НЕ» ею» «НЮ <ЯЯ№ в№» «В» 昨 ・ «〇»«ЙЯ» ЯП» «№» «Я» ЮЯ» «К» «Я№ «ИВ «И№ 9в№ Ж№» «№»

126

a

腹が立つ Be upset

はら た

Hara да tatsu

Expresses a feeling of anger. A more formal or written form of
atama ni kuru that can even be used in proper writing.

Lis&ten ❹うちの親、かんかん。自治会費を宴会に使うって聞いて。
总peak<

Uchi no oya, kankan. Jichikaihi 〇 enkai ni tsukau tte kite.

❽えーつ、それは腹が立つ.なあ。もっと大事なことに使って
はら た たいじ っか

欲しいよ。

Ett, sore wa hara ga tatsu nd. Motto daiji na koto ni tsukatte
hoshTyo.

〇 My parents are furious. Somebody told danna = a colloquial
them that local community association
is going to use our membership fee for expression for husband.

a banquet. jichikai =local community

❽ Can4 believe it. That makes me upset. association

They should spare it for something ~hi = an expense for ~
more important. en/ca/= banquet

8❹あんなふうに言われたら腹も立ちま丈よ。
い はら た
Anna funi iwaretara hara mo tachimasu yo.

❽そうですね、あれはちょっと失礼ですよね。
しつれい
So desu ne, are wa chotto shitsure desu yo ne.

❹ When they spoke to you like that, it*s annafuni = like that, in that
natural that you are upset.
way
❽ Yes, that was a bit too rude.

127

Anger

しゃくにさわる Get on one's nerves,
feel annoyed
Shaku ni sawaru

Expresses that you are upset by something unpleasant.

Lis伽.

❹若い彼女のほうが先に合格して、ちょっとしゃくにさわった。
Wakai kanojo no ho да saki ni gokaku shite, chotto shaku ni
sawatta.

❽ま、咨、褻ればいいんじゃない。
Maf tsugi, ganbareba Tnja nai.

Q She, who is younger than me, passed saki ni = ahead
the exam ahead of me. It got on my
nerves a bit.

❽ Well, you can try your best next time.

2❻人前であんなことを言われたら、あなたじゃなくてもしゃ
ひとまえ い ---------

くにさわるよ。

Hitomae de anna koto 〇 iwaretara, anataJa nakutemo shaku ni

sawaru yo.

〇でしょう?

Desho?

❹ When you were told like that in public, hitomae de: in public, in
anyone would feel annoyed.
front of other people
❽ You think so?
deshd? = you think so?

；Used to ask someone's
approval.

128

【L態り

カチンと来る Feel offensive

Kachin to kuru

An unpleasant feeling when someone's speech and behavior get on
your nerves.

Listen ❹さっき課長にばかにされること言われて、カチンと来た。
&

Speak^

力' ちょう い

Sakki kacho ni baka ni sareru koto iwarete, kachin to kita.

❽いつも上から目線で、しゃくにさわるよね。

Itsumo ue kara mesen de, shaku ni sawaruyo ne.

❹ I felt offended being treated as a fool baka ni suru = treat as a fool

by the manager. » 哦 Ue kara mesen (idiom) = to

© He is always bossy and gets on our behave bossy

nerves.

2❻「こんなレポート、小学生でも書けるだろう」って言われたよ。

"Коппа repoto, shogakuse demo kakeru darof/ tte iwareta yo.
❽そんな言い方されたら、誰だってカチンと来るよね。

Sonna ikata saretara, dare datte kachin to kuru уо ne.

❹ He said, "Even an elementary school dare datte = anybody
kid can write this report.”

❽ Anybody would feel offended being
told like that.

129

Anger

まったく For God's sake

Mattaku

Expresses amazement about someone's speech and behavior.

Listen

1^peak^

◎まったく・！ 何度言ったらわかるんだろう?
Mattaku! Nando ittara wakaru n dard?

〇しっこく言うしかないよ。

Shitsukoku iu shika naiyo.

Q For God's sake! How many times should shitsukoku = with patience

I tell them?

❽ You have to be patient.

2何も言わずに帰っちゃうなんて、まったく勝手だなあ。
なに い かえ かって

Nani mo iwazu ni kaecchau nante, mattaku katte da na.

・・
He went home without saying anything. He is ： ★ katte(na) = selfish

unbelievably selfish.

臺・op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People******#29

I Expression using body parts - abdomen |

Hara (abdomen) is used to express physical but also emotional state. ド
There are many expressions using hara are used to express feelings
and at1•计udes, such as hara да tatsu (get angry), hara 〇 kimeru (make
up someones mind), hara 〇 и/аги (being frank).

|

130

a

冗談じゃない No way

じょうだん

Jodan ja nai

Expresses feeling that something is ridiculous.

Listen ❹形だけでも一言彼女に謝ったら?

沖・S

Katachi dake demo hitokoto kanojo ni ayamattara?

❽冗談じゃないcなぜ私が謝らないといけないんですか。
じょうだん わたしあやま

Jodanja nai. Naze watashi да ayamaranai to ikenai n desu ka.

❹ Why don't you give her a formal word of katachi dake demo = out
apology?
of a sake for formality
❽ No way. Why should 1 apologize to her?

2❹また値上げなんて、冗談じゃない。
ねあ _じょうだん

Mata neage nante, jodan ja nai.

❽まったくだよ。ついこの間上がったばかりなのに。

Mattaku dayo. Tsui kono aida agatta bakari nanoni.

❹ They raised the price, again? No way! : ★ tsui = only a bit
★ kono aida = not so long ago
のI agree. They increased the price only
some time ago.

131

L Anger 57

ふざけるな Stop your nonsense

Fuzakeru na

Expresses deep resentment or complaint against irresponsible
attitude or behavior of the other.

Listen

❻もう一度、ここで働きたいだって?ふざけるな!何度

も無断欠勤したくせに。

Mo ichido, koko de hatarakitai datte? Fuzakeru na! Nando mo
mudan kekkin shita kuseni.
❽すみません。
Sumimasen.

Q You want to work here again? Stop your mudan = without notice
nonsense! You were absent so many
times without excuse. ~kuse帀=although； even

© I am sorry. though； Used with a feeling

of disapproval or discontent.

2❻そういう甘い考えの人には「ふざけるな」って言いたいで
あま かんが ひと ---------------------- い

すね。

Soiu amai kangae no hito niwa iiFuzakeruna,/ tte Ttai desu ne.

❽そうですか。

So desu ka.

Q To those who are optimistic 1 want to a amai = being naTve；

say, "Stop your nonsense.” optimistic

© Is that so.

132

辭

許せない Unforgivable

Yurusenai

Expresses a feeling of justice when you witness something you
cannot overlook and forgive.

■ Lis+еп^И

❹女性に対してそんなことを言うなんて、許せない!
じょせい たい い ------------------

Jose ni taishite sonna koto 〇 iu nante, yurusenai!

❽ほんとだよね。

Honto da yo ne.

〇 He said that to a woman? Unforgivable! Jose = woman； female
❽ 1 agree.

2❹そんな不公平な話、絶対に許せない。
ふこうへい はなし ぜったい --------------

Sonnafukohe na hanashi, zettai niyurusenai.

❽ほんと。「ふざけるな!」って言いたい。
い
Honto. llFuzakeruna!f/ tte Ttai.

❹ Ifs absolutely unforgivable! Thafs too fukdhe = unfair

unfair.

❽ True. I want to say, "Stop your nonsense.”

・ 〇^ 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People* 終 301«««

? —J I

I Many expressions using onomatopoeia I

Phenomimes (mimetic word), such as mukcrt十〇 kuru (being annoyed) is
widely used to express someone's feelings. Onomatopoeia such as kachin
to kuru (get angry) is used often, too.

0 <«s» me «ss» «яя» <ss№ «ss» «кею «ж» «в» ийх» «ж» «в» «на» «юк «яи» «ж» <яя» «и» «к»

133

м Disappointment /
Discouragement
58

❹少しは給料が上がると思っていたのに、全然上がらなくて、

がっくり。

Sukoshi wa куйгуб да agaru to omotteita noni, zenzen
agaranakute, gakkuri.
❽そう…。元気出して。
So.... Genkidashite.

〇 I thought I would receive a small pay zenzen^nai = not ~ at all
rise, but I didn't and I am depressed.

❽ Really? Cheer up.

2❹大切な家族を亡くして、皆がっくりしてました°

Taisetsu na kazoku 〇 nakushitef mina gakkuri shitemashita.
❽気の毒にね。

Kinodoku ni ne.

Q They have lost a special family member ★ nakusu = means lost

and they are all depressed. someone

❽ Poor thing. kinodoku = poor thi ng

134

Listen wi

❹彼女の様子、どうだった?
Kanojo noyosu, do datta?

❽かなり落ち込んでたね〇合格する自信あったみたいで。

Kanari ochikondeta ne. Gokaku surujishin atta mitai de.

❹ How was she? jishin = confidenee

© Very depressed, she was confident she
would pass the exam.

2❹なんか落ち込んでる?
おこ
Nanka ochikonderu?

❽まあ、ちょっとね。がっくり手ちゃって。

chotto ne. Gakkuri kichatte.

Q Are you feeling down? : папка. Express
❽ Yeah, a bit depressed. 问罟 feelings without

muchmeaning in it.

畫昨 op 50 Hinfs for Understanding Japanese People. 311皿暑

I Easily depressed |

As Japanese people have difficulty expressing their emotions in a
straightforward manner, it may be the case that pessimists outnumber
optimists. In particular, people from younger generations are not used
to being scolded by their seniors, leading to a rise of those who grow
easily depressed even after only being slightly cautioned.

IJ

135

M Disappointment / 59
Discouragement

力が出ない Don't have the
strength for something
ちから で

Chikara ga denai

Used when someone has no motivation due to pre-existing hurdles.

Listen

瓠

❹どうしたの? 元気ないね。

Do shita no?Genki nai ne.

❽いやなことが続いて、力出なくて。
っづ ちからで

lya na koto да tsuzuite, chikara denakute.

〇 Whafs going on? You look down. iyanakoto = unpleasant things；
❽ I have been unlucky lately and I don't
fn this context, it is expressed
have strength for anything. as "lucky -

2❹雨ばかり続くと、どうも力が出ないなあ。
あめ っづ ちから で

Ame bakari tsuzuku to, domo chikara да denai na.

❽私も。早く晴れてほしい。

Watashi mo. Hayaku harete hoshi.

Q It has been raining for several days bakari = shows something

and I don*t have much energy. is happening all the time

© Me neither. I hope it clears up soon. ddmo 〜=I don't know why,

but ~ ； somehow； for some

reason

121 B1LSS

rn
鸟1

Listen ❹箭があった第を占0に錨だめだって春われて学
Зреак^

Jishin да atta kikaku 〇joshi ni zenzen dame datte iwarete
hekonjatta.
❽よくあることだよ。

Yoku aru koto dayo.

〇 My boss told me my project is no use kikaku = project
and I am feeling down.

❽ That happens all the time.

2❹どうしたの?まだ凹んでるの?

Do shita no? Mada hekonderu no?
❽うん、なんか力出なくて。

ちからで

Unf папка chikara denakute.

Q Whafs up? Are you feeling blue? * nanka = somehow； there is

❽ Yeah, somehow I don't have energy- no particular reasoning

簷・op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People32j^

I Body-related expressions： kokoro (mind, heart) |

There are many expressions that use kokoro (mind, heart), such as
kokorozuyoi (feel reassured), kokorogakeru (keep in mind), kokoro no
komo卄a (cordial), kokoro да odoru (exciting). Kokoro is often used to
express feelings or moods.

137

м Disappointment /
Discouragement

Listen

迄p&edkg

❻あーあゝやんなっちゃうなあ〇連休なのに、 蟻しなけれ

ばならないなんて。

Aa, yannacchau nd. Renkyu nanoni, shigoto shinakereba naranai
nante.
❽そうなんだ。かわいそうに。
So nan da. Kawaiso ni.

Q Oh dear, 1 am getting sick of this. It is a yannaru = S\ck of

public holiday and 1 have to work. something

〇 Really? Poor thing. : ★ kawaisd = poor thing

2❹あーあ。私ってなんてばかなんだろう。
—わたし
Да. Watashi tte nante baka nan dard.

❽どうしたの?
Do shita no?

❹ Oh dear, how silly of me. : * Nante- = How-
© What happened?

138

C9 BILSS

心が折れる Feeling in despair

こころ お

Kokoro да oreru

Used to express a state of mine where you can't go on because you
have lost support or come across hardship.

].❹あーあ、まただめ。何度も面接で不合格になると、心が折

れそうになるよ。

Aa mata dame. Nando mo mensetsu defugokaku ni naru to,
kokoro ga oreso ni naru yo.
❽わかるよ、その気持ち。
Wakaruyo, sono kimochi.

❹ Oh dear, no good. 1 failed the interview fugdkaku = fail； rejection
again and 1 am in despair.

❽ 1 know your feelings.

叢;❹よく頑張ったね。えらいよ。

Yoku ganbatta ne. Eraiyo.

❽心が折れそうになったときは、好きな曲を聴いて元気をも
~ーー-------------- す きよく き げんき

らいました。

Kokoro ga oreso ni natta toki wa, suki na kyoku 〇 kite genk! 〇
moraimashita.

❹ You have done it so well. You should be ★ erai = be proud of someone
kyoku = song (music)
proud of yourself.

❽ When I am feeling in despair, I listen to
my favorite music to cheer myself up.

139

kA Disappointment /
,v* Discouragement

どうでもいい 潔驚也嗣

Dodemo 7

(1) Used to express when something else is more important.
(2) Used to express that you are not interested.

Listen^H

❻お金なんてどうでもいい。それより体を大事にしないと。
Okane nante dodemo L Soreyori karada 〇 daiji ni shinai to.

❽わかったよ。
Wakatta уо.

Q I don't care about money, taking care of ★ daiji ni suru = take care of
your health is more important.

❽ OK, I know.

2 〇何かいい方法があればいいね。
なに ほうほう
Nanika 1hoho да areba I ne.

❽もう、どうでもいいよ。私は関係ないから。
わたしかんけい
Mo, dodemo Tyo. Watashi wa капке nai kara.

Q I wish there is a solution to this. ~(ni)wa kankenai = It's

© I don't care anymore, it's nothing to do nothing to do with-
with me.

140

mm

もうだめだ I am done for

Mo dame da

Used when someone comes across
hardship and feels trapped.

Listen

❹彼女も参加できないって。
Kanojo mo sanka dekinai tte.

❽そうか。じゃ、もうだめだ。人数が足りないから別の日に

しよう。

So ka. Ja, mo dame da. Ninzu ga tarinai kara betsu no hi ni shiyo.

〇 She said she can*t make it either. tarinai = not en〇ugh； come

❽ I see. Thafs it. There aren't enough short
people, lefs try it again on another day.

2❹もうだめだ、間に合わないよ。
まあ
Mo dame da, ma ni awanaiyo.

❽もう、形はどうでもいいから、とにかく時間に間に合わせて。
かたち じかん ま あ

Mo, katachi wa dodemo ikara, tonikakujikan ni ma ni awasete.

Q I am done for, we don't have en011gh time. ★ ma ni awanai = can't make
❽ OK, it doesn't matter how it looks now,
it, not enough time
just finish it on time, regardless.
tonikaku = anyway； at any

rate； regardless

141

Disappointment /
Discouragement

がっかり Disappointed

Gakkari

Used to express disappointment, as your wish wasn't fulfilled.

Tisten

1^Speak

❹逼ったより賺の弊が遷かったみたいで、鶴、如如

していました。

Omotta yori shiken no deki да warukatta mitai de, kare, gakkari
shiteimashita.
❽そうなんだ。
So nan da.

Q He was disappointed because the deki = outcome
outcome of the exam was worse than
he has expected.

❽ 1 see.

йまじめに勉強するって言ったじゃない。がっかりさせないでよ。
べんきょう い

Majime ni benkyd suru tie ittaja nai. Gakkari sasenaide yo.

You said you will study hard. Don*t majimeni = seriously；
disappoint me.
earnestly

142

§1281 ®

しょんぼり(する) Looking miserable Mger

Shonbori(suru)

Used to express someone is feeling down, sad and miserable.

Listen そんなにしょんぼりして。

晶ak<

J.❻どうしたの?

Do shita no?Sonnani shonbori shite.

❽彼女にふられちゃって。

Kanojo nifurarechatte.

❹ What's up? You look blue. furu = turn down； dump a
❽ My girlfriend dumped me.
partner

2❹せっかく楽しみにしてたのに、がっかり。 Resignaf n住
たの o-
Sekkaku tanoshimi ni shiteta noni, gakkari.
❽そんなにしょんぼりしないで。'

Sonnani shonbori shinaide.

Q 1 was looking forward to it, (and it got :★ tanoshimi ni suru = look
cancelled) 1 am so sad.
forward something
❽ Pull yourself together.

亶ミ

厂 ・到・|op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People*» ■■■■■■ ty

I A trend toward seeking the personal or private

Until recently, Japanese people socialized in spaces together with
strangers, such as drinking in taverns and pubs with no partitions or
bathing in large public baths. However, the number of stores with
individual, partitioned tables where groups can drink privately and
lodging establishments with private hot springs inside rooms have been
increasing. More people are seeking individual or private spaces for
]relaxation.

143

N Regret / Reflection

Listen ❹もっと早くやればよかったって、ずっとくよくよしていま

总p&eaも した。

Motto hayaku yareba yokatta tte, zutto kuyokuyo shiteimashita.
❽過ぎたことだから、しょうがないよ。

す

Sugita koto dakara, shoganaiyo.

Q I was moping about it for so long, sugita koto = something in

thinking that I should've done it earlier. the past

❽ It's in the past, so there's nothing you
can do.

2❹あまりくよくよしないほうがいいですよ。時が解決します

から。

Amari kuyokuyo shinai ho да Tdesuyo. Toki да kaiketsu shimasu
kara.
❽そうですね。
So desu ne.

❹ You shouldn't mope about it too much. kaiketsu(suru) = to fix ； to
Time will fix it.
resolve
❽ You're right.

144

〜んじゃなかった Shouldn't have 〜

〜N ja nakatta

An expression of regret over something that was done.

叟❹あーあ、あの時とき 、あんなこと言い う—ん—じゃなかった- 。
Аа, апо tokif аппа koto iu nja nakatta.

❽もう気にしないほうがいいよ。くよくよしてもしかたない

から。

Mo ki ni shinai ho ga iyo. Kuyokuyo shitemo shikatanai kara.

❹ Oh, I shouldn't have said that back ki ni suru = worry
then. shikatanai = can't be helped

© You should n't keep worrying about it.
There's no point in moping.

2❹あれ? 雨が降ってきた。

Are? Ame gafuttekita.
❽うそ!洗濯物干してくるんじゃなかった!

Uso! Sentakumono hoshite kuru nja nakatta!

〇 Huh? It's raining. are? = a phrase used when

❽ No way! I shouldn't have hung my surprised, doubting somethingf
clothes out to dry! or noticing something

★ hosu = hang (to dry)

*〇^ 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People*«»»34］昨

I —J I
I Avoiding causing trouble to others I

Japanese people have a strong tendency to avoid causing trouble to
others. This is why they will apologize for causing trouble over even
minor things. For example, apologetic announcements will be made on
public transportation due to delays as short as two or three minutes.

N Regret / Reflection 49^

64

〜ばよかった Should've 〜

Ba yokatta

A phrase used to show regret over a mistake made when doing or
not doing something in the past.

❹こんなにたくさんの人に会うんだったら、名刺を持って来
ればよかった。

Konnani takusan no hito ni au n dattara, meshi 〇 motte kureba
yokatta.
❽ああ、持ってこなかったんだ。

も

Aa, motte konakatta n da.

〇 I should've brought my business cards meshi = busi ness card

if I was going to meet this many people
today.

❽ Oh, so you didn't bring them.

Й❹そんなに体調が悪いなら、無理して来ないで、休めばよかっ

土のに。

Sonnani taicho да warui nara, muri shite konaide, yasumeba
yokatta noni.
❽そうですね。
So desu ne..

❹ If you're feeling that unwell, you should : ★ muri shite ~ = force oneself
have rested instead of forcing yourself.
to ~ ~ by constraint
© You're right.

146

still

しまった! Oh no!

Shimatta! /俗И用
кр
A phase used when noticing that
you did something wrong or forgot
sometrung to do.

Listen
&

Speak^

❹しまった!電話するのを忘れたс
---------------------- でんわ わす

Shimatta! Denwa suru no 〇 wasureta.

❽材まだよ。まだに自うよ。

Daijobu da yo. Mada ma ni au yo.

〇 Oh no! I forgot to call. : * ma ni au = be in time
It's fine. You still have time.

2❹しまったし 飛行機じゃなくて新幹線にすればよかった。 ©

Shimatta! Hikokija nakute shinkansen ni sureba yokatta.
❽今さら言ってもしょうがないよ〇

Imasara ittemo shoganaiyo.

〇 Oh no! I should've taken the ★ imasara = at this point in time；
shinkansen, not an airplane.
Used to express feelings of "It may
❽ It's too late to say that now. be different if you were earlier, but
it's too late now."

shdganai = it can't be helped ；

there's nothing that can be done

147

N I Regret / Reflection

悪かった My fault, sorry

わる

Warukatta

A phrase used to admit fault and apologize. Primarily used among
individuals close to one another.

Listen

1Speak^

❻悪かったですね、こんなにお待たせしてしまって。
------------------ ま

Warukatta desu ne, konnani omatase shite shimatte.

❽いいえ。気にしないでください。

/е. Ki ni shinaide kudasai.

❻ Sorry for making you wait for so long. ki ni suru = worry
❽ No, don't worry about it.

2❹ごめん、悪かった、悪かった!こんなに時間かかるとは
わる わる じかん

思わなかった。

おも

Gomen, warukatta, warukatta! Konnanijikan kakaru towa

omowanakatta.

❽もう!いつもじゃない。

Мд! Itsumoja nai.

〇 Sorry, my fault! I didn't think it would md = Used to express
take this long.
feeling of dissatisfaction or
❽ Oh, you always do this!
a ston ishment.

私のせい My fault, because of me sSDIwastirec

わたし ま
上
Watashi no se
®

An expression used to blame yourself. Anger

^Listen ❹すみません、丛のせいで、こんなことになってしまって。
kSpeak^
わたし

Sumimasen, watashi no se de, konna koto ni natte shimatte.

❽いえ、気にしないでください。私も悪かったです。
き わたしわる
/ez ki ni shinaide kudasai. Watashi mo warukatta desu.

Q Sorry that everything turned out like konna koto = this situation
this because of me.

❽ Oh, don't worry about it. It was my fault
too.

2❹本当にごめん〇全部僕のせい。
ほんとう ぜんぶ--------------

Honto ni gomen. Zenbu boku no se.

❽そうよ、わかってる?

Soyo, wakatteru?

• •

Q Гт really sorry. It's all my fault. :* zenbu = all

❽ It is. Do you understand that?

曹・op 50 Hints for Understanding Japanese People. ■ 35■■■■・疏 j.

I Strong sense of remorse |

Japanese people have a strong sense of self-reproach, tending to

blame themselves and feel stressed when things do not go well. While

people in the West may be conscious of God due to religious standards,

Japanese people are said to see things entirely from the perspective of

their relationship to other people, leading them to be constantly aware

of how they are viewed by others. I

t

149

N Regret / Reflection

66

〜のに (Al)though, If only,
should have
〜Noni

An expression to describe feelings of dissatisfaction and
disappointment over something not done by someone.

❹言ってくれれば手伝ってあげたのに。今ごろ言っても、も

う遅いよ。

Itte kurereba tetsudatte ageta noni. Imagoro ittemo, mo osoiyo.
❽すみません。

Sumimasen.

❻ I would've helped if only you had said tetsadau = help
something. It's too late if you're bringing
it up now.

❽ I'm sorry.

2❹ちゃんと話せばよかったのに。そうすれば、誤解が解けた

かもしれないのに。

Chanto hanasebayokatta noni. So sureba, gokai да toketa
kamoshirenai noni.

❽はい…。

Hai....

Q You should have said something earlier. gokai(suru)=

If you had, this misunderstanding might misunderstanding

have been cleared up. ; ★ tokeru = clear up； solve

❽Yes….

150