What does "DOUMO" mean?
Originally the word "どうも「DOUMO」" is an "emphasis adverb."
DOUMO is used as an emphasis adverb for "Word of thanks, the apology, and the greeting of the appreciation etc.", and it is used in other various scenes.
"Doumo" is used as one sentence very frequently, and means something which makes the communication smoother.
The very popular Japanese word that you can use for almost all the situations.
The word is "どうも[Doumo]".
Word DOUMO has 5 meanings.
- DOUMO for a greeting.
- DOUMO for thanks.
- DOUMO for emphasis.
- DOUMO for omission of sentence.
- DOUMO with the meaning of "Somehow" "For some reason"
1. DOUMO for a greeting.
When a person and a person met accidentally somewhere, this "DOUMO" is used.
Or as a greeting to the person whom you met after a long time.
In the Japanese sentence, expression is different by the male and a female.Sex |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
English |
|---|---|---|
| Male |
|
Oh, hi ! How are you? |
ああ、どうも～! |
Oh, hi ! (Nice to see you again!) (Long time no see!) |
|
| Female | あら、どうも！お元気ですか？ yah ! doumo ! ogenki desuka ? |
Oh, hi ! How are you? |
まあ、どうも！ |
Oh, hi ! (Nice to see you again!) (Long time no see!) |
|
| male and female | あ、どうも！ a, doumo! |
Oh, hi ! /Hello ! |
The end of a word of these "DOUMO" lengthens lightly.
These "DOUMO" is a general, light greeting.
It is not polite to use DOUMO in a formal scene
You should use the following expressions in a formal scene.
English |
Japanese |
|---|---|
| It's been a long time. It's been so long. |
おひさしぶりです。 [o-hisashiburi desu] |
| ご無沙汰しております。 [gobusata shite orimasu] |
2. DOUMO for thanks.
The meaning of this "DOUMO" is simple and lucid.
This DOUMO has the meaning "very, very much, really".
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Thank you very much. | どうも。 doumo. |
| Thank you very much indeed. | どうも どうも。 doumo doumo. |
| I cannot thank you more. | 本当にどうもありがとう。 hontou ni doumo arigatou. |
3. DOUMO for emphasis.
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| I'm very sorry. |
どうも すみません。 doumo sumimasen. |
| Thank you very much. | どうもありがとうございます。 doumo arigatou gozaimasu. |
| How kind of you. | ご親切にどうも。 go-shinsetsu ni doumo. |
| Thank you very much for your reply. | お返事どうもありがとうございます。 o-henji doumo arigatoh gozaimasu. |
4.DOUMO for omission of sentence.
The inside of parenthesis of the following sentences is omitted sentence.
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|---|---|
I'm glad you like it. |
[ 気に入ってくれて] どうも [ ありがとう ]。 |
[=I appreciated your help the other day.] |
先日はどうも [お世話になりました]。 senjitsu wa doumo [o-sewa ni narimashita] |
| I had a great time the other day. | 先日はどうも（楽しい時間をありがとう）。 senjitsu wa doumo [ tanoshii jikan wo arigatoh]. |
| Oh, You're welcome. | いやいや、どうも。 iya iya, doumo. |
Probably you cannot understand these.
It is because these are mysterious expressions peculiar to Japanese people.
When those who receive a greeting understand the situation, Japanese people do not speak about the contents concretely.
For this reason, gratitude is substituted by "DOUMO (thank you)" often.
5. DOUMO with the meaning of "Somehow" "For some reason"
This DOUMO is used when that reason cannot be explained clearly.
English |
Japanese & Pronunciation |
|
|---|---|---|
Intuitive; Somehow; |
Somehow I don't like him. | どうも私は彼が好きでない。 doumo watashi wa kare ga suki denai. |
| Somehow I felt uncomfortable in the room. | その部屋はどうも居心地が悪かった。 sono heya wa doumo igokochi ga warukatta. |
|
| There is something wrong with this PC. | このパソコンはどうも調子が悪いな。 kono pasokon wa doumo choshi ga waruina. |
|
| There is something funny about her. | 彼女はどうも変な人だ。 kanojo wa doumo hen na hito da. |
|
| Expectation | It's likely to rain.
It looks like rain. |
どうも雨になりそうだ。 doumo ame ni narisouda. |
| It does seem to be his doing. | どうもあいつのしわざらしい。 doumo aitsu no shiwaza rashii. |
|
| It seems that you were lying. | 君はどうも嘘をついていたように思われる。 kimi wa doumo uso wo tsuite ita yoh ni omowareru. |
|
"Are we late?" "I'm afraid so. / I suppose so." |
" 私たちは遅刻になっちゃうかな？" "どうもそのようだね" |
Japanese ultimate vague word "DOUMO DOUMO"
This DOUMO is "an ambiguous apology" peculiar to Japanese people.
"I'm really sorry I've kept you waiting so long."
In English, such an apology is necessary.
But, the Japanese says only "DOUNO DOUMO" to an intimate friend.
When it stands alone, "doumo" is an abbreviation for either "doumo arigatou" or "doumo sumimasen." Japanese people have a tendency which is going to express or solve the cause and things vaguely.
"Doumo" is not impolite word, but not extremely polite either.
But, note that you are not encouraged to use "Doumo" as a sentence to your boss.
The Japanese is the race which respects the harmony with the surrounding.
Japanese's disposition may be the cause which makes Japanese the more difficult language.
By Hararie
Tokyo Time
