Hi everyone! Thank you for visiting Maggie’s room.
Feel free to leave a message (Even just say Hello! 👋 )
I don’t do translations, check your long writing or help your homework for school here but I can answer one or two simple Japanese questions.
Love you all! 🐶❤️
195 Comments
Good evening maggie. The following sentence makes sense: 魔獣と交わることで根源を模索する魔術師もいたのかどうか
I was in doubt after seeing this sentence because I don’t know if it should be かどうか or か at the end.
Hello Matheus,
I wouldn’t leave this sentence with どうか
いたのかどうか+ わからない/不明である
If you want to show your surprised feelings
いたのか… works.
If you meant “I wonder if there was a magician ~” then, you can say いたのだろうか.
Good evening Maggie. I came across a sentence and didn’t understand part of it. The sentence is as follows: 明治時代の終わりにかけて英語亡国論を唱える人たちがいた.
I didn’t understand the part: 英語亡国論. Can you explain this part to me?
When I put it on Google Translate, it was translated as: theory of the exile of the English language, but I don’t understand how it got to that translation.
Hi Thiago
英語 = English language
亡国 = collapse of a country →国がなくなる / 滅びる こと the country will perish/be ruined
論 = theory
the theory that the English language would lead to the collapse of the country.
Good afternoon Maggie. I looked up the definition of 後半 and got 前後二つに分けた、あとのほうの半分。
I didn’t understand the 前後二つに分けた part. Can you explain each part to me?
Hi Mario
If it is talking about the story (books, movies, etc.) 前後二つに分けた divided into two parts, the first part and the second(later) part
Good night Maggie. Can you tell me if the following sentence sounds natural in Japanese: 聖女様が中傷や殲滅なんてする訳ない+Extras?
Hi Mutuio
I guess for a dramatic games or anime, yes. (or 聖女様が中傷したりや殲滅なんてする訳ない)
中傷 means “slander” (to damage someone’s reputation).
殲滅 annihilation (in other word 皆殺し）
Is that what you wanted to say?
Hello Maggie,
どうよ?
I’m trying to understand what she says here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g5jNuGxyz4
あんたみたいに用意周到な男が失敗するなんて**おにょウケる**んですけど
せっかく言い訳あるなら聞いてあげようってのに
“It’s so funny to me that a man as well-prepared as you would fail.
If you have an excuse, I’d listen to it.”
The word in **___** is not understandable at all to me. Is おにょける a slang used by young people? I know ウケるんです means “it’s funny” but おにょウケるんです ?
Thank you Sensei!
Hi Gaspatcher
Is it from ポケモン?
I think the character meant to say “鬼ウケル” but it came out おにょウケる” in a cute way.
鬼(original meaning is “demon”) is a slang word it means “very/extremely” like メチャ.
Ok I think that’s the case. I can’t follow kids slang, it’s too complicated haha!
☺️
Yes its from ポケモン. Sorry, I didn’t see your question.
OK 👍
It does sound kind of cute おにょウケる 😆
Good night Maggie. I found the following sentence: 特定の人種や民族を支持するという話ではありません。
I would like to understand the function of という話. I looked it up on a few sites and I still don’t understand.
Hi Luigi
The literal meaning of 〜という話 is “the story of ~”, quoting what comes before (民族を支持する）
But you would just translate it “about”
It is not (a story) about supporting specific races or ethnicities.
Thanks
Boa tarde Maggie. eu gostaria de saber a função de か (depois de なんたる) nesta frase: いいでしょう。齢を重ねた私が王とはなんたるかあなた達に指導してさしあげましょう。
Bom dia Pedro
か significa “que”
王とはなにか →(mais formal)王とはなんたるか = que um rei é
(I hope my Portuguese makes sense 😆）
Related lesson ~か/かどうか Click here
Thanks for the answer Maggie, but I thought the “what” was the function of なんたる, because when I looked it up, I found that なんたる means What (something) is like.
If I understood your lesson correctly, the function of か in this sentence would be to make the sentence have an interrogative tone, like: What is a king is like?
OK, I will try answering you in English.
Yes, なんたる means “what” ( I thought that what I meant by “que” in my previous message. 😅) and it has mainly two ways of using.
１） What ~! (interjection/exclamatory words) : Expressing one’s emotion
The same as なんて but it is more formal
なんてことだ = It’s unbelievable /Oh My God!! (Expressing one’s surprise)
→なんたることか！
2)The one you asked me is “what” as a relative pronoun
Nounはなんたるか = What ~ is / What ~ means
王とはなんであるか（ということ）を指導する
To teach what the king is (or what the king is supposed to be)
礼儀とはなんたるかを教えてあげなくてはいけない。
= We have to teach them what the manner is.
Hello, Maggie-sensei. How are you?
My question is about: ‘これは何を買えば読めるのでしょうか?’
I believe it roughly translates to: ‘What should I buy so I can read this?’
I know ‘えば’ can mean ‘if’ or ‘when,’ , but it doesn’t seem to fit those translations. I think it may be used to express the idea of ‘should.’ Perhaps it’s a shortened form of ‘買えばいい’, but I’m not sure.
Thank you in advance.
Hello luno. I’m good. Lunoも元気？
何を買えば is a condition for the following sentence 読める to be able to read
What should I buy to (in order to) read this?
Hi sensei,
This link does not work anymore https://twitter.com/MaggieSensei
Do you know anyway to view your tweets without [log in to twitter?]
When I search google I can only see your old tweets
いつも ども ありがとう。
Hi soleyman
I checked it myself with other browser. You are right. Unless you don’t log in, you can’t see other people’s tweets.
(FYI Patreon ありがとうx 10 tier members can get Monthly Tweets (PDF file with all my tweets lessons with an audio file every month.)
Hello Maggie,
How are you doing? I don’t know how is your summer in Japan but here in Europe, it’s a burning hell! I would like to go to Sweden for some days to get some fresh air! It’s not much, but I noticed lately I’m reading faster (I can “cut” the words faster in-live instead of reading the whole line then process to cut each word to have the sentence makes sense), so I wanted to share that with you (even though this is a little improvement)
Now question time to my sensei. In the sentence 「全部俺に教えてくれれば！」, I understand he says “If only you told me everything” but in the official translation he says “All you had to do was tell me!”
I understand sometimes the translation adapts to the language, but I would like to know the literal translation of the Japanese version.
To give you some context,
お前の毎日が少しでも良くなるように、どんな小さな努力でもしたのに！
そのための友達だろ！
全部俺に教えてくれれば！
Thank you Maggie!
Hi Gaspatcher
First of all, I am happy to hear that you can read faster now. It is an important skill to understand the context without reading every single word.
It has been very hot in Japan, too.Going to Sweden sounds like a great idea.
The translation is correct.
If only you told me everything/All you had to do was tell me!
Or you can say “If you had told me everything.”
I think you know but the speaker added the sentence last but 全部俺に教えてくれれば is a condition
The right order is ~れば〜のに
So let me rephrase it for you to see the structure better.
全部俺に教えてくれればお前の毎日が少しでも良くなるように、どんな小さな努力でもしたのに！
If you had told me everything, I would have made even a small effort to make your everyday life a little better!
Thank you so much! Makes more sense now! I didn’t understand why there was a condition and he stops like that… With the restructuration, it’s much more understandable. Is this order natural when speaking? Or is it because he speaks out words without structuring them before, but the listener can still understand (not me)
My original question actually was for the 全部. Was it the subject All (you had to do) or the object (tell everything). It seems both are acceptable, so again, we can understand this sentence in many ways, daro?
If only you told me everything! (object) 全部(を)?
All you had to do was tell me! (subject) 全部(は)?
Maybe I’m too focused on the details, but that kind of stuff bothers me hahaha!
1) Is this order natural when speaking?
Using the inversion method allows for changing the order of sentences, adding important information at the end to leave a stronger impression. You usually use this method in writing （especially lyrics)
In spoken language, people use the inversion method not just to create an impact but also when they just add something important.
2) 全部 is an object. 全部 ( = 全てのことを)教えてくれれば
Thank youuuu!
You’re welcome! ☺️
Hello Maggie,
I couldn’t find a lesson about that but what does the 分 mean after a verb?
なんで他の人が頑張った分をわたしが無駄遣いしてしまうの？
Is it to show some extent or something like that?
Also, I wrote a question in the 〜よう lesson (https://maggiesensei.com/2012/04/03/request-lesson-%E3%82%88%E3%81%86you/) but I’m not sure if it has been approved.
Thank you Maggie-sensei!
Hi again, Gaspatcher
This 分 indicate the “portion” or “share” of effort that other people have put in.
Hi again, Gaspatcher
This 分 indicate the “portion” or “share” of effort that other people have put in. z
The literal translation is “Why do I end up wasting the portion of effort that other people have put in?” which means, “Why do I end up wasting other people’s efforts?”
Thank you Maggie! You’re always so kind!
You’re very welcome! :)
Hello Maggie sensei. Your lessons are amazing, you put so much work into them!
As a teacher of English, I totally agree that textbooks are full of boring grammar rules. Making a lesson interesting is what all schools around the world should do. I wonder when they will realise and change methods? I’m so glad your site exists! It helped me a lot in the past and it’s helping me now too. THANK YOU for everything!! ^__^
Hi madridimi
Thank you so much for your comment. Your kind words made my day. I am sure you are an amazing English teacher. Rest assured, I will do my best to keep making more Japanese lessons that will help you in your journey to learn Japanese.
Love,
Maggie
Good afternoon Maggie. I would like to know the meaning of やろ in the following sentence: これ絶対今年のfesでやる気やろと思ってたのに……ｗ
Is this an expression attached to やる気 or does it have a standalone meaning?
Hi Mario,
やろ is a very casual speech and it is originally from Kansai dialect.
It means だろう
やる気やろと思ってた ←やる気(なん)だろうと思っていたのに
Good afternoon Maggie. I would like you to translate the following sentence: 間隔が狭いところは人が集まるのを避けるべきです。
I translate as: You should avoid gathering people when the gap is narrow. But I’m not sure if it’s right.
Hi Mario
I wonder what kind of place they are talking about with 間隔が狭い in the context but you should change the subject. Not “you” but “people”. Your translation means “人を集める”
People should avoid gathering in a narrow (spaced) area.
a few days ago I left a comment in the discussion dedicated to hazu (maybe my comment got lost because I didn’t get the answer, so I’ll rewrite it here if I don’t disturb)
Is the following sentence correct? Xのものだったはずの帽子…
why instead of はずだった is written だったはず ? I’m confused
—–
but there is some problem with the blog? I can’t send comments normally…the error message often comes out
Hi floccio
I’m so sorry that I haven’t answered your question. I remembered that I saw your message but it slipped my mind while answering to other person’s question.
I wonder why you get the error message often. 🤔
(If you leave a comment for the first time, I have to approve it before it appears on the blog. So until I approve your comment, you won’t see it. Even if it’s your second time commenting, but you use a different email address, I still need to approve it before it becomes visible.)
Anyway, let me answer your question here.
X のものだったはずの帽子 = the hat which was supposed to belong to X
I guess you can use はずだった if you finish the sentence with it.
それはXの帽子のはずだった。
It was supposed to be X’s hat.
Good night Maggie. I came across a sentence and I don’t understand a part of it.
The sentence is as follows: どんな理由からにしろ何も言わずに仕事を辞めるのは無責任すぎる。
I don’t understand the following part: どんな理由からにしろ. Can you explain each part of that part?
Hi Patrick
Sure. First ~にしろ means にしても →(more conversational) でも (even though/even if/regardless )
どんな理由からにしろ →どんな理由でも for whatever reason
Thanks for the reply Maggie. But what about the から? Does it have a function or do you think it was a mistake and that I should remove it?
~という理由から仕事を辞めた
Since 理由 already has a meaning of “reason”, it may look redundant but から indicates a reason.
You can also say ~という理由で仕事を辞めた
And if you want to rephrase it with にしろ
どんな理由にしろ〜 as well.
Hello maggie sensei,
Thank you as always.
I have a question
How do you say “risky choice in Japanese”
There are some option I have thought as below
1. 際どい選択肢
２．危険な選択肢
３．リスクがある選択肢
４．危うい選択肢
Or do you have any other idea to answer the question?
Hi Nanpa
They are all good but I would change 4 to 危ない
And you say 選択肢 when you have options. You can just say 選択.
Hi Nanpa
They are all good but I would change 4 to 危ない
And you say 選択肢 when you have options. You can just say 選択.
(Or if you are talking about decision 決断)
こんにちは、マギー先生!
単語の質問があります。(時々、辞書が全然役に立たないなぁ^^;）
__ “To have a cow” is an expression that means “to become very angry.”
上の文の “expression” は日本語で何と言うんですか？
「表現」はちょっと違うなぁって思います。「言い回し」や「慣用句」が合っていると思いますが、確信はありません。
マギー先生はどう思いますか？
いつもありがとうございます。
こんにちは、Sora!
どれでも大丈夫です。
もとの英語が”expression”だから「表現」でもいいと思います。
Ex. 〜という表現があります。
Ex. 〜という表現の意味は〜です。
不自然ではありません。表現の代わりに「言い回し」も使います。
元の英語とは少し違いますが、
もし idiomという言い方にするならば慣用句
to have a cowはことわざではないのでこの場合は使いませんが、proverbならば諺（ことわざ）を使います。
ありがとうございました！
Hi Maggie-sensei,
Thank you very much as always.
I have a question about the verb tetsudau 手伝う.
If I want to say: Thank you very much helping me. I need to make sure to add -kurete.
手 て 伝 つだ ってくれてありがとう ございます.
Or another example:
Thank you for teaching me Japanese.
日本語を教えてくれてありがとう.
But if I was talking to someone about my husband and want to say “My husband helps me a lot with the chores around the house.”
Or
“My husband tries to help me and teach me Japanese when he has time.”
How do I construct these sentences and do I still need to add kureru?
Thank you so much.
Hi Mini House
You can express your appreciation with くれる
So if you meant to say your husband did something “for you”, you use くれる
“My husband helps me a lot with the chores around the house.”
→主人が家事をよく手伝ってくれる
“My husband tries to help me and teach me Japanese when he has time.”
主人が時間がある時は、手伝ってくれるし、日本語を教えてくれる
Good night Maggie. I came across a sentence and didn’t understand a part of it. The sentence is as follows: 今度の台風では最悪の事態は避けられたにしても、被害は甚大だ。
I didn’t understand the role of the で particle in this sentence.
Hi Satorou
で in that sentence means “in” (in this typhoon)
By attaching は, you show the contrast. We could avoid the worst case in this typhoon (but maybe not in other typhoons (in the past or in the future)
Hi Maggie-sensei.
Sorry to bother you but I think there might be a problem with the comments on your website. For example, I left a comment on your latest lesson 2 days ago but I do not see my comment. I know that you replied to it because it said so in the “Recent comments” section but when I look I don’t see your reply either. When I look at Maggie’s Room, the latest post I can see is Mini House on May 19, but I know someone else made a post since then but I can’t see it either.
It had been the case for a few weeks now. I checked on a different computer and on my phone and I can’t see it either. I’m wondering if something happened? I’m not sure if this message will be posted once I press submit or if I will see your reply but I wanted to let you know in case you know what is happening.
Hello Luna
Thank you for informing me about the commenting issues. It appears that there may be a glitch of some sort. The site has experienced some problems in the past few months, so it could be related to that. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I hope you can read this comment.
***
Update:
I tried something. Your comment should appear now. Let me know if it doesn’t.
I can see all the comments now! You fixed it!
Thank you! :)
やった〜！！(*^^*)
Thank YOU for telling me about the comments, too!!
Hello maggie sensei.
Please can you tell me the difference between nichi and hi as i saw they can both mean “day”?thank you
Hello Yenicall
OK,
にち (= nichi) is a counter for days
From 2 ~ 10 days you use the special counter (2 days = ふつか, 3 days みっか = mikka, etc) but after 11 days, you say number + にち ( = nichi)
11にち ( 11 days)
12にち ( 12 days)
19にち ( 10 days)
ひ (= hi) is used to refer to a day
It is a nice day today
今日はいい日です。
= きょうはいいひです。
= Kyou wa ii hi desu.
(You can’t say にち= nichi)
Hi Maggie-sensei,
Thank you for all your wonderful lessons as always.
I am struggling with a few phrases and jut wanted to check if they sound correct and natural in Japanese?
The more Japanese I study, the more confused I get.
日本語勉強すればするほど、わからなくなる。
Is your baby sleeping well?
赤ちゃんよく寝ますか？
Our little baby really does not like wearing his shoes.
あかちゃんわほんとに靴がはいるきらいいです。
I guess all children develop differently.
子どものはそれぞれは立つ違うと思います。
Hello Mini House
１）日本語勉強すればするほど、わからなくなる。
Missing a particle after 日本語
Two possibilities
日本語を (object marker) or if it is a topic 日本語は
２）赤ちゃんよく寝ますか？
For conversation, you can say that. For writing add a particle
→赤ちゃんは、よく寝ますか？
3) 〜靴をはくのがきらいです。
4) 子供の成長のしかたはみな違うと思います。
Maggie-sensei,
いつもありがとうございます。
Is this sentence correct? I want to say: My name is House. I am very sorry I am late. I am here to pick up my daughter.
こんにちは。ハウスともうします。遅くなりました、申し訳ありません。娘大迎欲しいです。
And also, how do I say: “I would like to pick up my daughter earlier today at 1 PM.”
Thank you very much.
Hi Mini
元気でしたか？
OK, let me help you.
こんにちは。ハウスともうします。遅くなりました、申し訳ありません。娘大迎欲しいです。
→こんにちは、ハウスともうします。遅くなって申し訳ありません。娘を迎（むか）えにきました。
I would like to pick up my daughter earlier today at 1 PM.”
→今日は、早めに１時に娘を迎えに行きたいのですが。
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my questions, Maggie-sensei.
That helped a lot – I very much appreciate it – thank you!
You’re very welcome ❤️
Hello maggie sensei,
Can you please tell me how the “masen ka” form used to make invitations should be translate? I get a little bit confused. For exemple in the following sentence: bangohan o tabemasen ka? I have seen some explanations telling it can be translated as “won’t you eat?” And some instead translating it as ” would you like to eat?”. What is the correct translation?
Also what is the différence between “masen ka” and “mashou ka”? Thanks in advance
Hi Yenicall
I already answered your question. Please check your previous comment.
Hello maggie sensei,
I am confused about the use and translation of “masen ka” when making an invitation. For exemple in the following sentence : bangohan o tabemasen ka? I’ve seen some translating it as won’t you eat? And some translating it as will you (like to) eat? What is the correct translation?
Also can you tell me the difference between mashou, mashou ka and masen ka when used to make invitations? Thank you in advance
Hello Yenicall
OK, many people (especially when they have started to learn Japanese) seem to have a problem understanding the nuance difference between mashou, mashou ka masen ka, so I will make a lesson sometime.
1) masen ka?
Ex. Tabemasen ka? = It could be 1) You are not going to eat? or 2) Would you like to eat? (invitation) (invitation) depending on the context and the intonation.
For example someone wouldn’t eat something, you ask これ、食べませんか？ = Kore tabemasen ka? = You are not going to eat this?
But if you offer some food to someone, you also say これ、食べませんか？ = Kore tabemasen ka? = Would you like to eat this?
2) mashou
It means Let’s ~
So imagine the food is already served in front of you and you tell someone at the table,
So, Ex. さあ、食べましょう！ ＝Saa, tabemashou! = Let’s eat.
3) mashou ka?
Again it changes the meaning depending on the context
(1) Do you want me to do something for you?
Ex. 手伝いましょうか？ = Tetsudaimashou ka? = Do you need my help? / May I help you?
(2) Shall we do ~ ?
Ex. そろそろいきましょうか？ = Sorosoro ikimashou ka? = Shall we go now? (But you may see the translation Let’s go)
Hello Maggie Sensei,
I want to ask you about one word here,
What is the meaning of 中途半端男
If I say “A half hearted man” would it be correct.
Hello ホットサンド
Yes you can translate that.
中途半端男 It refers to a man who lacks dedication to a task, or who does things in a half-hearted or incomplete way.
Good afternoon Maggie. I had some doubts about a phrase I found. The sentence is as follows: 発言の自由は政府支配の新しい触手によって年々むしばまれつつある。
1 – What is the function of つつある?
2 – Is 発言 only for written things? or just for spoken things?
3 – What does むしばむ mean?
4 – This word is not in the sentence, but I would like to know the meaning of: がっつく. I had a little trouble understanding.
Hi Sora
1. Verb+ つつある = (literal expression) be in the process of doing something (expressing the on-going change)
2. 発言 is for spoken thing
3. むしばむ = to erode (passive form) むしばまれる to be eroded （To be affected by something negative)
4. がっつく = eating like a pig. It can be used to express someone greedy
Thanks for the reply Maggie. But I was left with a doubt. What is the difference between Verb + ている and Verb + つつある.
Hi Sora
つつある focusing on the process of doing something (on-going change) towards completion. It is used in a formal speech or writing.
Ex. 戦争が終わりつつある。The war is coming to an end
If you just express what one is doing or the current state, you use ている
Ex. テレビがついている = The TV is on. (current state/condition) →You can’t say テレビがつきつつある
Ex. 手紙を書いている = I am writing a letter. (The action is happening right now and it focusing on the current action) →You can’t say 書きつつある
Hi sensei
1) Is the following sentence correct/natural?
What is the difference betw と する and に する
「貨物船」とは、貨物 を 輸送 する 船舶です。
Kamotsusen is a vessel that carries cargo
ライオン は にく を えさ と する。
Lions feed on meat
鯨くじら は プランクトン を えさ と する。
Whales feed on plankton
パンダ は ささ を えさ に する。
Pandas feed on bamboo grass
2) As for Hen is it pronounce as medori or mendori or ..,?
( google translate = mesudori )
雄鶏 おんどり Rooster
雌鶏 めんどり Hen
Thanks
Hi soleyman
1) You can say both えさとする and えさにする
にする is more conversational and とする is more formal.
2) 雌鶏 can be read めどり or めんどり. (Originally めどり but I would say it is more common to say めんどり in conversation.)
Good morning Maggie. I would like her help to understand the following sentence: 泥棒は盗むのが商売 、たとえそれが人の心だとしてもね。
I understand the たとえ~ても structure, but why use とする?
Hi Berserk
たとえ〜ても and たとえ〜としても mean the same. としても emphasizes hypothetical situation more.
Good night Maggie. I would like to know what to put after 精神 in this sentence (が?は?を?): チベットの苦痛に耐えるのは不可能ですがチベットの人々のあがないの精神 見守るべきものです。
I didn’t understand what you meant
Sorry. I might have cut the first part.
You can just use は after 精神
(Sorry the first part of my previous message was missing so it could be confusing.)
Let me answer again.
精神＜は＞見守るべきものです。
Hello maggie. I found this sentence: 中止命令に従わない場合は、5万円以下の罰金が科せられます。
The translation read: In case of non-compliance with the suspension order, a fine of up to 50,000 yen will be imposed.
I would like to know why 科せられます is in potential form and not just passive and negative.
Hello Leonardo
科せられます is a passive form.
The basic form is 科す or 科する
The passive form is either 科される or 科せられる
Hi everyone! Sorry that the site has been down and some of your recent comments were gone. I think I answered all your questions but if you haven’t read them yet, please ask me the questions again. I’ll be happy to answer your questions. Have a great weekend! いい週末を！🐶
Welcome back!
I had a question about the word 感じ, and I saw your answer. I learned something very interesting from your answer. First, this is what you said:
日本語で返事をということなので日本語で答えますね。
そうですね、感じは、気持ちだけではなく、会話で「〜という感じ /(説明）+ こんな感じ」を加えることで直接的な言い方を和らげる時にも使います。
この二つの文章をつなげてみると一領域につき5回各6分露出で写真を撮影して30分(A) という感じで時間の許す限り観測を繰り返します。
最初の部分（A)で手順を説明してそのように観測を繰り返すように説明しています。
..という感じでどうでしょう？
The reason why I asked you to reply in Japanese is that I want to stop learning Japanese by using English. I am trying to connect Japanese language direct to the world and direct to my own thoughts/impressions etc., without English getting in the way.
This is where the 「直接的な言い方を和らげる」 is important. In fact, a scientist was explaining a procedure to some students. I forgot to take that into account. In trying to make sense of what he said, I was putting myself in the position of the listener, and that was my mistake. When I put myself in the position of the scientist, talking to students, then I got closer to what I would be thinking/feeling (感じ?!) in that situation. When I did that, then the purpose of 「こんな感じで」starts to make more sense at a more intuitive level .. without the English translation.
I think that answers your last question?
私の日本語の説明で理解してもらえればうれしいです。
Good afternoon Maggie. I found the following sentence and had difficulty getting a part of it and would like your help if possible.
The sentence is as follows: それは氷のような砂糖菓子。
触れれば冷たさに指先が凍り、
舐めれば甘さに舌が痺れゆく。
まさに至宝と慕うにふさわしい―――
I can’t understand the part: 痺れゆく. Can you explain to me?
Hi Matheus
痺れゆく is a written language and it means 痺れていく going numb
thank you
どういたしまして 😊
Hi Matheus
痺れゆく is a written language and it means 痺れていく going numb
(ていく→ゆく） expresses the change, getting, going, becoming ~
Hi! Maggie sensei, I’m wondering about this sentence…..
会いたかった なあ Does this mean “I’ve been wanting to meet you for long time”? and still looking forward to see you, right? Also what is the meaning of なあ? Someone told me that it’s like to show strong feeling of really wanted to meet. Is it? or actually it’s just suffix of the sentence, no emotional.
Hi Luck
会いたかったなあ I wish I could have seen you/him/her/them.
So you wanted to see someone but you missed the chance/you couldn’t.
By attaching な/なあ you can add the feelings (in this case regret)
Please check my lesson on な/なあ. Link is this https://bit.ly/3TOe1BD
Good night Maggie. I came across a sentence and would like to know if it is grammatically correct. The sentence is as follows: 私はこの怪物の弱点をついに見つけました。その神経もいつも以上に高ぶっております。
Hello Pedro
The first sentence is correct but the second sentence is not natural.
Hello Maggie-sensei!
I have a simple question. If my dog is 7 years old, I can say 犬は七歳です, right? But what if my dog is only 7 months old? Do I say 犬は七月歳です?
こんにちは、Luna
7 months old is just 7ヶ月
You can also add 生後=せいご before 7ヶ月
（生後=せいご）7ヶ月
This makes sense! Thanks!
Anytime! :)
サイトの修理のため、1週間前のメッセージが消えてしまいました。全てのメッセージに返事を出しましてがもし読んでいなかったらまたいつでもメッセージを入れてくださいね。
Hi Maggie, What is the difference between 角かど and 角かく ?
Got the following example sentences from websites; all of them is かど right??
とおり の 角 に たって いた。
I stood at the corner of the street
角 に おおきな 目印 が あります。
There is a big sign at the corner
角 で ひだり に 曲まがる。
Turn left at the corner
すいぎゅう は おおきな 角 を もって いる。
Buffaloes have big horns
すぐ 角、あかい の みせ です。
It’s the red shop just at the corner
Thank you せんせい
ps google translate it as tsuno
Hi soleyman!
角 = かど = corner
角 = つの = horn
So from your example sentence only
すいぎゅう は おおきな 角 を もって いる。
Buffaloes have big horns
is ”つの = horn”
すぐ 角、あかい の みせ です。 →I think it missing の （すぐ角のあかいみせです。）
ハロー、マギー先生！
Do you know if there is a difference between using に and で with the verb 保存する？
I would’ve guessed で、 but when I looked up native example sentences on Weblio, I saw examples using both に and で!
例 ファイルをディスクに保存する。
冷暗所で保存して下さい。
I can understand why に would be used. に often implies a destination or directionality. Basically, 「ディスクに保存する」implies that the disk is the destination of the file, or that the file is being moved to the disk in order to save it.
But で also makes sense, as it marks the location of an action such as in a 冷暗ところ。
Does this mean that both of these particles are interchangeable, and I can use either one?
Can 「冷暗所で保存して下さい」 also be 「冷暗所に保存して下さい」？
If so, is there a difference in nuance? For example, do these two sentences
画像をスマホに保存
画像をスマホで保存
mean the exact same thing?
ありがとうございます！
Sora
Hi Sora
Good. You figure out the function of に.
冷暗所（れいあんしょ）に保存して下さい
冷暗所で保存してください。
You can use them both. The difference is
に implies the object you put in 冷暗所 is somewhere else but you move it/them into the cold and dark place (ex. refrigerator)
And you use で when you indicate the place where you keep/conserve something.
画像をスマホに保存 (the file was somewhere else or even in the same cellphone, from where the pictures are to the file in the cellphone)
画像をスマホで保存 (You save the pictures “with” (tool) your cellphone.)
なるほど！とても分かりやすい説明です！
いつもありがとう、マギー先生！
どういたしまして💖
Hello sensei,
i must admit i forget the basic counting in japanese, can you please check whether it is right or not?
鉛筆が9本あります
鉛筆が9個あります
鉛筆が９つあります
鉛筆が1000あります
箸が9膳あります
箸が9個あります
箸が９つあります
箸が1000あります
車が9台あります
車が9個あります
車が９つあります
車が1000あります
Hi Alex
鉛筆 →本
箸 →膳 （ 箸２本で１膳）
車 →台
hello sensei
so in here you cannot use another form? you cannot use 個? i hear that 個 can be used to anything.
You can not use 個 with everything.
You use it with small items and if it is something small but is obviously long, you use 本
So 鉛筆一個, 箸一個、車一個 are not natural.
thank you very much sensei
No problem! :)
Hello Sensei,
Thank you as always
Can you please check this sentence?
I see how He is an inspiration to you. Your mindset towards life are really similar with him.
あなたは彼に霊感されることを私が理解しました。あなたと彼の人生に対する考え方がよく酷似していいます。
Hello ビーフレンダン
霊感 is something more spiritual (Ex. being psychic)
How about 彼がどれだけあなたに刺激を与えているのか (or 刺激を与える存在なのか) わかります。
We just say インスピレーション as well.
→（あなたが）どれだけ彼からインスピレーションを受けているかわかります。
The second sentence is fine but I would change よく酷似 (よく & 酷似 are redundant) to よく似ています。
Hello sensei,
i agree with you and want to add some point.
if i change 霊感 with 触発 will it be correct ?
あなたは彼に触発されることを私が理解しました
Yes, it sounds more literal but you can say 触発
But I would say あなたが彼に触発された （or if it is still going on →されている）ことがわかります。
Thank you very much sensei, love
🐶💖💖💖
Sorry Maggie. I forgot to put the phrase. The phrase is this: ガキはガキらしくよ、ニカーッと笑っていこうや。
Good night Maggie teacher
I would like to clear up some doubts regarding the following sentence:
Why is らしく in adverbial form? and why is よ in the middle of the sentence and not at the end? What is the function of the や at the end of the sentence?
This is a rough male speech
1) It is similar to さ・さあ (子供は子供らしくさあ） →rough ガキはガキらしくよ・よう
2) The last や is another rough way to say よ (→This よ is to encourage someone to do something. It is not rough like the one in 1).
笑っていこうよ →(rough) 笑っていこうよ
マギー先生、こんにちは！
3年前、私初めてで東京にいきました。すごく楽しかったです！
もう一回行こうの予定がありましたが、そのすぐ後はcovid-19の件が始めました。
今の状況はどうですか？観光客などは戻りましたですか？もう安全ですか？
早く行きたいな～
こんにちは ルナ
日本の今ですか？ コロナはまだありますが、他の国と同じぐらい安全だと思います。
海外からの観光客の方々も増えてきています。円が安いからお買い物や食事もお得かもしれませんよ。
Good morning Maggie, I found a phrase and would like to understand something.
The sentence is as follows: あれもこれも、色々と興味深いものが目の前に現れる。
I would like to know the role of と (after 色々) in this sentence?
Hello Jack
色々と This と has a function as an adverb and it modifies a verb, 色々と現れる
Hello Maggie-sensei.
Could you tell me what じゃんじゃんやっちゃう means?
I see じゃんじゃん means continuously, but I’m not sure what this expression means.
Hi Miki
じゃんじゃん is onomatopoeia to express doing something heavily, vigorously, keep doing something a lot.
じゃんじゃんやっちゃう = Keep doing something more and more
じゃんじゃん飲んで = Keep drinking a lot!
Hello Sensei,
My previous post got deleted by the maintenance
I need your help to check the sentence
My locker is far away from my English classes. That is the reason why I carry all my books with me. Is it going to rain hard or just a drizzle?
私のロッカーは英語の教室まで遠く離れています。すべての本を持ち歩いているのはその理由があるからです。今日は大雨が降るのかそれとも小雨が降るのでしょうか？
Hi Alex
Sorry. I answered your question but the message was gone.
すべての本を持ち歩いているのはその理由があるからです。
→だからすべての本を持ち歩いています
今日は大雨が降るのかそれとも小雨が降るのでしょうか？
→OK (Or 大雨（土砂降り）になるのか 〜）
you are the best, please help me again to check the sentences in the future.
thanks a lot
🐶💖💖💖
Good night Maggie. I came across a sentence and would like to know if it is right.
The phrase is this: 私たちはこれまで明日のことを皆はなしてきたから、さて、現実に戻って、今日のことを話そう
I had doubts if the kanji 皆 should be removed or if it is fulfilling some function
Hello i will answer on maggie sensei behalf.
it has function as adverb, it can mean
1. everyone 2. All
just translate it one by one
私たちはこれまで明日のことを皆はなしてきたから、
Because we all have talked the matter about tomorrow until now,
さて、現実に戻って、今日のことを話そう
for now, let’s go back to reality and talk about today
in sentence one you can see i translate 皆 as “all” and 私たち as “we”
@ビーフレンダン
Thank you for helping Brock.
Hi Sensei !
Thank you so much for everything you do for us, I’m studying and hope I’ll pass the JLPT this year and your website is so useful, I feel so grateful for everything you put here!
Best regards from France !
Hi Magou
Thank YOU for your kind message.
JLPTがんばってくださいね。私もレッスンがんばって作ります。😊
Hello, maggie sensei
thank you as always.
日本語を英語に翻訳してみますが下記の文章に何か変なところがあったかさっとみっていただけないでしょうか。
イラストはあまり良すぎない限り料金を出しません。
If the illustration is not really good I will not pay the fee.
Hi ビーフレンダン
わかりました。自然な言い方に変えてみましょう。
→イラストがよくなければ料金を払いません。
〜限りは、 as long asという意味になります。
（何か不自然なところがないかさっと*みていただかけないでしょうか？）
FYI さっと quickly / ざっと = roughly
thank you very much sensei
You’re very welcome!
Hello, Maggie.
Japanese has been an interest of mine for some time and while some may suspect it is my interest in Japanese media, like anime and manga, which sparked my interest. Such interests came later to me in life while my interest in the language was pre-existing.
It wasn’t until an old friend of mine suggested an educational video game series called “Learn Japanese to Survive” that I really started picking up the basics of the language and encouraged me to practice outside of the game. Now I feel like I have all of the Hiragana characters memories though my Katakana and Kanji could use some work. Though I am able to recognize some Kanji characters as well.
Besides Japanese, I’ve also enrolled in a beginner’s Spanish course as well so I feel confident that I could potentially read and write in that language at an early early level too. However, when it comes to speaking and hearing, as well as writing or reading for the case of Japanese, I feel slow.
It took me awhile before I feel like I could say I achieved mastery in the English language, my native tongue, and even then I still am prone to forgetfulness of certain grammar rules. Like those matter anymore in English speaking countries. lol The reason I believe for my difficulties in learning English and other languages like Spanish and Japanese is because I was a special needs student. I am a slow learner. So I guess I am writing this message to you to ask… do you know anyone willing to work with me in one-on-one sessions until I could attend a fluent level? I don’t have much money so my budget is limited, but I would forever be appreciative of you if you could point me in the direction of someone who could help teach me.
ありがとう
Hi Aliyah
It is a great idea to work on your speaking and taking a class on line. That way you can improve your Japanese. There are many Japanese on-line schools. Google “On line Japanese lesson”. The price is not that expensive, I believe. I hope it fits your budget.
And if you still can’t find a good teacher, write to me
through an email on the following page.
http://142.93.68.150/about-us/
こんにちは、マギー先生
サイトは復旧して戻ってきてくれて良かったです。
少しご質問があります。
1. 「雨が降りそうな天気」と「雨が降りだしそうな天気」、両方の言い方があるのですがどう違いますか
２．「街灯にぶつかりそうになった女性」と「街灯にぶつかりそうになる女性」はどう違いますか
英語で説明しづらい場合は日本語で説明してくれると幸いです。
よろしくお願いします
こんにちはビーフレンダン
サイトがダウンしてしまったせいでいくつかの前のコメントが消えていたらごめんなさい。
１.
(1) 雨が降りそうな天気
(2) 雨が降りだしそうな天気
So if you looking up the sky and it is cloudy, you say (1) but you won’t probably say (2)
If you see the sky is getting really dark and it looks like it’s gonna rain any minute, you say (2) because 降り出す has a meaning of “It is about to rain”
2.
(3) 「街灯にぶつかりそうになった女性」
(4) 「街灯にぶつかりそうになる女性」
If you are describing what has just happened more vividly, I would say (3) is more natural.
承知いたしました。感謝いたします。
お役に立てたらうれしいです。☺️
Hi everyone!
サイトがしばらくダウンしていてご心配をおかけしました。
Now I am back!!
お帰りなさい！ :)
ただいま〜、ルナ💓
Hello sensei, Thank you as always
can i ask you about something i don’t really understand in this sentence?
人手不足や気候変動など日本企業の経営のリスク開示 (３面きょうのことば）が海外勢に比べ遅れている。
What i don’t understand
1. ３面きょうのことば
2. 海外勢の勢の意味？
ちなみにこちらの文は日本の新聞から抜粋されました。
よろしくお願いします
Hi, ビーフレンダン
1. The newspaper has several pages. The front page is called 一面 and ３面 technically means “the third page” but it refers to the social news page.
So you probably got the article from 日経新聞 but it refers to the section called きょうのことば where they explained a trend word of the day on the third page.
2. 勢 means “companies, entities, group” so 海外勢 means “foreign companies” in this context.
先生すごい
優しいだけではなく賢いです。
ありがとうございます
いえいえ、日本の新聞で勉強をしているビーフレンダンが賢いのですよ〜😉
Hello sensei, thank a always
I wonder how you say “Japanese Native Resident”
日本に駐在する外国人ではなく純粋に最初から日本に生まれ育ている人のことです。
”日本の駐在者”があっていますか？
よろしくお願いします
こんにちは Beef Rendang
駐在というと通常、会社から他の国に仕事をするために派遣された人のことを指します。
在日＋国籍＋人
という言い方がありますが、日本に住んでいますが、日本で生まれた人とは限らないので
「日本で生まれ育った」と説明をつけた方がいいかもしれませんね。
在日+ Nationality + 人 （Ex.在日
いつもありがとうございます。本当にたすかりました。感謝いたします。
どういたしまして💖
せんせい、こんにちは！
好きなポケモン教えてください！:D
こんにちはルナ！
やっぱりピカチュウが好きです💕 イーブイもかわいいです。
ルナの好きなポケモンは？
そうですか！：）
私には、ウパーが好き！いつも幸せな顔をしている！
ウパーもかわいい〜〜💕
確かにいつも幸せな顔をしていますね。😊
ルナも幸せな1日を過ごしてください。
Good night Maggie. I have doubts about two sentences and I would like you to answer these doubts.
The first sentence is: アラビア語を独習したいのですが良い参考書を教えてください。I would like to know the が function in this sentence.
The second sentence is: 台湾はグルメも良し、観光も良し、ショッピングも良しと、魅力たっぷりの観光地だ。I would like to know the function of と in this sentence.
Hi Mutuio
1) が has many different functions but this が is just to connect the sentence. “so”/”and”
You often leave the sentence with が without finishing it.
Vたいのですが + (what should I do/Do you have any advice?/ Can you help me?, etc.)
2) と in that sentence is to give examples and quote them.
I think you know the pattern AというB B which is A
You sometimes omit という/といった
〜ショッピングもよしと（いった(ように）)、魅力たっぷりの〜
Hello sensei,
Thanks as always
can i ask you what is the meaning (まんざら)
女の子の服もまんざらじゃなさそうだし。
tried dictionary but nothing make sense.
Hi Beef Rendang
まんざらでもない is a vague Japanese expression and it means “not so bad/ not totally bad and actually something is good” ./someone seems kind of satisfied or happy with something.
女の子の服もまんざらじゃなさそうだし
I don’t know the situation but
It seems like the girl’s outfits are not so bad.or The person who is wearing girl’s outfits seems to like wearing them.
Ah, thank you much sensei
The reason i got confused is because in some site i found an explanation that say まんざら＝必ずしも。
The scene is the tomboy girl is trying the dress, She is usually using boy clothes and when she tried to try skirt, She said to herself (女の子の服もまんざらじゃなさそうだし)
ありがとうございます。
まんざら is not exactly the same as 必ずしも.
You often use まんざらじゃない/ まんざらでもない in the situation like you expect someone would be unhappy with something but actually they actually kind of like it.
So in your example sentence, you assume the girl would hate that skirt because she was complaining or she usually hates wearing a skirt.
But once she puts it on, she looks rather happy with it. Though she is not saying anything, you can see she is thinking “Hey, this is not that bad. I actually like it.”
right, really appreciate for the help
My pleasure! :)
Maggie-sensei,
Happy New Year! 今年もよろしくお願いします。
I find your blog extremely helpful and one of the most useful out there. Thank you for all your work and effort.
I wondered if you could create a lesson on
こじんめんだん at Japanese kindergartens. It’s something that I am really struggling with.
Any phrases/vocabulary similar to the below would be super appreciated!
*My child has been toilet-trained.
*She goes to the potty by herself at home, but cannot go by herself outside the house.
*She speaks English at home and can only say a few single Japanese words.
*How is she doing at school.
*Ways to talk about one’s child: She is stubborn/independent/sociable/scared of strangers/quiet/very active at home.
*She holds food in her mouth./ I am worried about choking hazards.
and so on.
Thank you so much.
Hi Mini
I’m happy to hear you find this site useful.
OK, let me help you.
*My child has been toilet-trained.
うちの子*は、トイレのしつけができています。/オムツがとれました。
= Uchi no ko wa toire no shitsuke ga dekite imasu./ omutsu ga toremashita.
*She goes to the potty by herself at home, but cannot go by herself outside the house.
家では一人でトイレに行けますが、家の外では一人で行けません。
Ie dewa hitori de toire ni ikemaseuga, ie no soto dewa hitori de ikemasen.
*She speaks English at home and can only say a few single Japanese words.
家では英語を話していますので1) 日本語は一言、二言しか話しません。/ 2) 日本語はほとんど話せません。(2) She barely speaks Japanese.)
= Iedewa eigo wo shnashite imasu node 1) nihongo wa hitokoto futakoto shika hanasemasen / 2) Nihongo ưa Hotondo hanasemasen .
*How is she doing at school?
娘は、幼稚園ではどんな感じですか？/ちゃんとやっていますか？
= Musume wa youchien de wa donna kanji desu ka? / Chanto yatte imasu ka?
*Ways to talk about one’s child: 1) She is stubborn/2) independent/3) sociable/4 ) scared of strangers/ 5) quiet/ 6) very active at home.
1) （娘は）頑固（がんこ）です。/ 2) 自立心があります。/ 3) 人懐っこいです。/ 人見知りしません/ 4) 人見知りをします 5) 大人しいです/ 6) 家ではとても活発です。
=1) (Musume wa) ganko desu./ 2) Jiritsushin ga arimasu. /3) Hitonatsukkoi desu. / Hitomishiri shimasen ./ 4) Hitomishiri wo shimasu 5) Otonashii desu 6) Ie de wa totemo kappatsu desu
*She holds food in her mouth./ I am worried about choking hazards.
and so on.
口の中に食べ物を入れます。/喉につかえないか心配です。（窒息（ちそうく）しないか心配です）
= Kuchi no naka ni tabemono wo iremasu / Nodo ni tsukaenai ka shinpai desu. (Or Chissoku shinai ka shinpai desu)
Hello,
What should I answer to this message?
“フォロバ頂きありがとうございます”
Thanks!
Hi Topaz
So this person followed you first and you follow him/her back, right?
Did you say thank you for following before? If not, you can say
こちらこそフォローありがとうございます。And you can continue これからもよろしくお願いします。
Maggie-sensei,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
This is very helpful.
Huge fan of your blog – thank you!
You’re very welcome,Mini.
こじんめんだん、がんばって！
Hello! I have a question about one grammar aspect, because my 先生 told me one thing and my workbook keeps mistaking those two (well, maybe the workbook is wrong)
「思っていたより」と 「期待していたより」の違いはなんですか。
先生 told me that 「思っていたより」is used when the outcome is better than expected, for example このケーキは思っていたよりおいしかった。 (You expected it to taste bad)
And 「期待していたより」is used when the outcome is worse than you expected, for example 試験の点数は期待していたより悪かった。
Is this right? Because when I searched in the internet, the opinions vary a lot and I don’t know anymore :((
Hi Alioth
Very good questions.
Technically
思う = to think
期待する = to expect
And they both can be translated “to think” but 期待する means “to hope” and it is used for something one is looking forward to.
So your teacher is right. The outcome should be good when you use 期待したより ~
You can say このケーキは思っていたよりおいしかった/おいしくなかった。 but it sound unnatural to say このケーキは期待していたよりおいしかった。
If it is a negative sentence, you can say
このケーキは期待していたよりおいしくなかった
I will give you other verbs that are often used in this pattern.
予想する = to fore
想像する= imagine
考える = to think (logically)
Among these verbs, only 期待する is used is used when the outcome is good.
新年明けましておめでとうマギー先生！
No matter how many years pass, I always find myself visiting and revisiting your blog posts😂 Your quality is unrivaled.
I have a vocab question: how do you say the word “interchangeable” in Japanese?
e.g
”Jealous” and “envious” mean the exact same thing. They are interchangeable.
”Wanna” is interchangeable with “want to,” with the former being more casual.
I typically wouldn’t want to bother you with words I can just look up in the dictionary, but I just can’t seem to find it.
On jisho, 「同意語」and 「同義語」show up, but being interchangeable is a bit different from being synonyms. For example, “while” and “during” are synonyms, but they aren’t interchangeable.
e.g
While I was sleeping, an earthquake happened.
During I was sleeping, an earthquake happened. ❌
The word that always comes up on DeepL is 「互換性」
e.g
”Wanna “は “want to “と互換性があります。
However, when I look up example sentences, it’s used with computers and devices and is translated as “compatible.”
Thank you as always!
Hi Sora
I’m happy to hear you have been visiting this site for many years. :)
OK, the most common way to say “A and B are interchangeable” in Japanese is
AはBに言い換えることができます
（You also say 置き換えることができる)
Oh, I see! It’s been driving me crazy, so thank you so much!!
Anytime! :)
Hello Maggie Sensei, Happy New Year and Wish you be Blessed with Good Health and Fortune
This the first question on this year.
1. What is the meaning of 僻む(ひがむ）
2. What is the meaning of 振り回す in the sentence (彼女はいつも友達に振り回されていてイライラする)
3. Are they have a same meaning : 取り繕う・決め込む・偽装
Thank you very much
Happy New Year! 明けましておめでとうございます！ いい年になりますように🙏
1. to have an inferiority complex feeling jealous of someone.
2. 振り回す to involve someone into something for one’s own convenience in a selfish manner.
For example, her friend says, “Let’s go out tomorrow and do something.” And though you were busy you arranged your schedule to go out with her. Then she said she changed her mind and she doesn’t want to go out anymore. So you rearrange your schedule. Then she said you should meet her somewhere instead. In this kind of situation you are 振り回されている.
3. No, they are different.
取り繕う to mend something/keep up with lies
決め込む persist in doing something/make up one’s mind
偽装 disguise
3.
sensei thank to explain in detailed manner. 改めてあけましておめでとうございます。
どういたしまして❤️
みなさん、明けましておめでとうございます！
今年もよろしくお願いします！
Happy New Year, everyone! 🐶
Happy new year sensei
Happy New Year, Emerald❤️