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1500 questions
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2 answers

Use of になります in the context of time

While attempting to translate the sentence "It will soon be two years since I started learning Japanese", I started wondering how になります works in the context of time. Ignoring any other translation errors, is になります the correct word to use at the end…
heuristicus
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Meaning and usage of ~としたことが

I came across the expression ~としたことが, for example: 私としたことが I'm trying to figure out the meaning and usage of this phrase, but I can't find any English resources that explain it. What does this mean?
japaphile_call911
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Does the letter "C" attract any superstition?

I've heard that the number four attracts superstition because of its similarity with the word for death. For example, yon is used instead of shi in some circumstances, and sometimes the number 4, along with some other numbers is avoided. Does the…
Golden Cuy
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Combining に/で particles with 等【など】(or other "etc." stand-ins)

I was recently trying to make an open-ended enumeration of places in a construction that would require the use of a に particle. E.g.: AやBに行こう or even: A[and the like]に行こう Preferably using a stronger indicator of open-endedness, such as 等 (to me…
Dave
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Adverbial Nouns and Temporal Nouns

I'm wondering about the difference between adverbs, adverbial nouns, and temporal nouns.* I know that adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. They usually tell amount, weight, time, distance, etc. So here are my questions: Does that…
newyorkaru
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11
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Is there any difference between そこで and それで?

I know that they can both mean "so, therefore, because of that" etc., so what is the difference when I use them with that meaning?
Draken
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11
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3 answers

What does する mean when it does not mean "do"? （血のにおいがする）

What does する mean when it does not mean "do"? Like: あなたも血のにおいがするな
Pacerier
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How would one convey the concept of "vouching" in Japanese?

Update: There seems to be some controversy here as to whether or not there really is a difference between vouching and guaranteeing, which impacts how it is translated. Please see the discussion I started on English L&U about this, where I believe…
Questioner
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What is usually written at the end of a slides presentation to imply "Thanks for listening"?

I've seen this phrase a couple of times but couldn't read the Kanji so I don't remember it. Otherwise, what phrase would be good to include in the last slide to imply "Thanks for listening!"? For example, after giving a presentation about project…
wallyqs
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Should I use keigo in this situation:

I work in an American subsidiary of a Japanese company.　I met a few Japanese colleagues while working at the home office on an exchange. Do I need to use Keigo for: Colleague A: 1 year younger in age than me and joined the company at a later time.…
pingish
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3 answers

「探してくる」には「見つける」という意味は含まれますか？

今まで、「探す」には「見つけようとする」という意味しかないと思っていました。辞書が挙げる語義にも、現代において一般的な用法（下記1.と2.）では「見つけようとする」以上の意味は含まれていません。 1. 必要なものや失ったものを見つけようとする。「安い下宿を―す」 2. ものを見つけるためにかき回す。「押し入れを―す」 3. 中にある物を表し出す。「このふる里の女の前にてだにつつみ侍るものを，さる所にて才―しいで侍らむよ」〈紫式部日記〉 4.…
ento
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6 answers

アニメと漫画で日本語を勉強することについて (On learning Japanese from anime/manga)

最近、漫画好きな外国人が増えたので、日本のアニメや漫画で日本語を勉強する外国人も多くなっています。アニメの日本語が日常の会話であまり使わないので、アニメで日本語を勉強することで日本語をちゃんと学べると思いますか。 (Many foreigners have been learning Japanese through manga and anime due to its popularity outside of Japan. Due to the fact that many phrases…
Ken Li
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Is a computer displaying "インストールしています" correct? Weird?

I just noticed that Windows is using "…をインストールしています" while installing something. The use of "〜います" by a computer strikes me as slightly weird, like too literal a translation leading to overdone anthropomorphism. I often see "インストール中" or something…
deceze
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What was the Japanese word for "clockwise" (時計回り) before clocks were commonplace?

In English, before clocks were commonplace, the word "clockwise" was obviously not in common use. Instead, the closest alternative to "clockwise" was the now-archaic word "deasil", and its antonym was "widdershins" (or, perhaps, people just used…
senshin
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What is the difference between 語{かた}る and 話{はな}す?

What is the difference between 語{かた}る and 話{はな}す? I know that I can say #1, but it's correct to say #2? If it's ok, sentence 1 and 2 have the same meaning? 1.私{わたし}は日本語{にほんご}を話{はな}す。 2.私{わたし}は日本語{にほんご}を語{かた}る。
zdo
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