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Yeah, out of all possible words and phrases they went with しょうがない... Even "whatever" comes close enough. For languages as far apart as Japanese and English, the
by Legogris 6y ago
Yeah, out of all possible words and phrases they went with しょうがない... Even "whatever" comes close enough. For languages as far apart as Japanese and English, there is no shortage of words that will lose their nuances in translation - to what extent can be argued, but language definitely is tied to culture.
I think お疲れ様 is the phrase/word I miss the most in English, and I often catch myself wanting to say it to a non-Japanese speaker.
Conversely, "interesting" is a word I have been feeling a lack for in Japanese. As in "That's interesting" after hearing something.
- lhorie 6y ago> As in "That's interesting" Isn't "naruhodo" close enough? It's often translated as "I see", but the acknowledging filler variation is usually just "un", whereas naruhodo expresses a mild level of surprise.
- Legogris 6y agoDepending on context it can be! But consider something like "Isn't it really interesting how X went down?". なるほど is also pretty casual, and can also imply to me new information. I don't want to imply I find it amusing or something positive - it might be something sad or atrocious (面白い is out). I don't want to imply I want to learn more or am deeply invested in it (興味ぶかい also out). That pretty much exhausts the available options when I've asked Japanese friends.
- asutekku 6y agoそうですか/そうでしょうか with a change in tone is pretty much what you’re looking for. I know it directly translates to “is that so”, but the meaning is more or less the same.