Japanese vague expression of Recent Article

What does "II DESU" mean?

To begin with, word "II DESU" is used in the meaning of both the affirmative and the denial.

And, it is a phrase used over many topics like permission, agreement, the proposal, the recommendation, the opinion, information, the denial, anger, and the rejection, etc.

And, the following expressions are chiefly used.

1. いいですよ。[II DESU YO]:（permission, approval, proposal, recommendation, and advice）

2. いいですね。[II DESU NE]: (agreement)

3. いいですか？[II DESU KA?]: (asking for permission(confirms))

4. ...たら いいですか？[...TARA II DESU KA?]: (asking for opinion and information)

5. いいです。/ もういいです。[II DESU/Mooo IIDESU]: (Refusal, rejection, and anger)

 

1. "II DESU YO" for permission, approval, proposal, recommendation, and advice.

This II DESU YO form is "Sure you can...".
It's an adjective which means "good," "fine," "okay," etc.
"...temo" means something like "if (someone) were to...."

Accordingly, adding "ii desu" makes it "if (someone) were to (do something) it would be okay," "it's okay if (someone does something)," etc.
And, almost all forms of this "II DESU" are "II DESU YO".

 

Permission Example:

English	Japanese
You can use my PC.	私 の パソコン を 使って いい です よ。 watashi no PC wo tsukatte ii desu yo.
You can watch TV after you've finished your homework.	宿題 を やったら テレビ を 見て いい（です）よ。 shukudai wo yattara terebi wo mite ii desu yo.
You can use my dictionary.	私 の 辞書 を 使って いい です よ。 watashi no jisho o tsukatte ii desu yo.
<Note>: "II DESU(YO)" is a polite form. If you say to your family and friend, you should use "II YO", because "II DESU(YO)" is a polite form.

Approval Example:

English	Japanese
Would you mind sending this package by mail? Okay.	この 包み を 郵便 で 送って もらえません か？ kono tsutsumi wo yuubin de okutte moraemasen ka? いい です よ。 ii desu yo.
Would you take me home? With pleasure.	家 まで 送って もらえます か？ ie(uchi) made okutte moraemasu ka? いい です よ。 ii desu yo.
Would you call a taxi for me? Certainly.	タクシー を 呼んで もらえます か？ takushii wo yonde moraemasu ka? いい です よ。 ii desu yo.
Answer if your answer is "YES" when you undertake something as "II DESU YO".

 

Proposal and recommendation: Example:

English	Japanese
Keeping regular hours is good for your health.	早寝 早起き は 健康 に いい です よ。 hayane hayaoki wa kenkou ni ii desu yo.
This sweater fits you very well.	この セーター は あなた に ちょうど いい です よ。 kono seetah wa anata ni choudo ii desu yo.
The mountain air would help you get better.	山 の 空気 は あなた の 健康 回復 に いい です よ。 yama no kuuki wa anata no kenkou kaifuku ni ii desu yo.
This "II DESU YO" means "good" or "better".

 

Advice Example:

English	Japanese
You shouldn't personal e-mail from the computers in the office.	知らない 人 から の メール は 開かない 方 が いい です よ。 shiranai hito kara no meeru wa hirakanai hou ga ii desu yo.
You should see a doctor for advice.	医者 に 相談 した 方 が いい です よ。 isha ni soudan shita hou ga ii desu yo.
Don't underestimate him.	彼 を 甘く 見ない 方 が いい です よ。 kare wo amaku minai hou ga ii desu yo.
The form "方がいいですよ[hou ga ii desu yo]" is often used for "II DESU YO" of advice. This is meaning "You shouldn't do.".

 

 

 

2. "II DESU NE, II DESU YO" for agreement.

This "II DESU NE" is an answer for agreement.

Example:

English	Japanese
I shall be pleased to go with you. Sure.	一緒 に 行きません か？ issho ni ikimasen ka? いい です ね。/いいですよ。 ii desu ne./ ii desu yo.
How about a drink before dinner? That's great!	夕食 前 に 一杯 どうです か？ yuushoku mae ni ippai doudesu ka? いい です ね。 ii desu ne.
Is this all right? Oh, Okay.	これ で いい です か？ kore de ii desu ka? ああ、いい です ね。/ああ、いい です よ。 aa, ii desu ne./ aa, ii desu yo.
Let's go for a swim in the pool tomorrow. OK./Yeah, let's.	明日 プール に 行かない？ ashita puuru ni ikanai? いい(です)ね。 ii (desu) ne.

 

3. "II DESU KA?" for permission.

These are "II DESU KA" when you ask for permission someone.
And, almost all forms of this "II DESU" are "II DESU KA ?".

Example:

English	Japanese
Can I borrow your fountain pen?	万年筆 を 借りて も いい です か？ mannenhitsu wo karite mo ii desuka?
Would you please help me?	手伝って もらって も いい です か？ tetsudatte moratte mo ii desu ka?
Would you mind if I ask you a favor?	お願いしてもいいですか？ onegai shite mo ii desu ka?
Are we allowed to take pictures here?	ここ で 写真 を 撮って も いい です か？ koko de shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?
<Note>: If your answer is "Yes", answers to these questions are all "II DESU YO".

 

Column: Ii n desuka vs Ii desu ka

Understand the difference between "Ii desu ka?" and "Ii n desu ka?"

Normally "ii desu ka?" is the standard expression for "is it OK?" Then, understand why "n" is skipped. This little "n" thing is difficult to explain, but "n" is often used to refer to something already talked about before. So, if you are asking for permission, "ii desu ka?"(first time) Because it's the first time you are mentioning it. As a result, the person whom you had asked for permission said "Yes, of course". You are surprise at the unexpected answer, and you asks it again. "Ii ndesuka?"("Really? Is THAT ok?") "n" is used for "Ii desuka?" of second time. In a word, "Ii n desuka" is "Ii n desuka of the confirmation" to "Unexpected result and answer". By the way, using "n" isn't rude.

 

 

4. "...TARA II DESU KA?" for opinion and information.

This "II DESU KA" is asking for opinion and information.
The meaning is "Where(When, What, etc.) should I ...?" or "What should I do...?".
The form is " .... tara idesuka?"

And use this when you have to cope with difficult situation.

 

Example:

English	Japanese
Which platform should I go to to get on the Shinkansen train?	新幹線 に 乗る には 何番線 に 行ったら いいです か？ shinkansen ni noru niwa nanbansen ni ittara ii desu ka?
Where should I buy shoes ?	どこ で 靴 を 買ったら いい です か？ doko de kutsu wo kattara ii desu ka?
When should I borrow the book ?	いつ 本 を 借りたら いい です か？ itsu hon wo karitara ii desu ka?
How should I eat this?	これ は どうやって 食べたら いい です か？ kore wa douyatte tabetara ii desu ka?
If I have late, what should I do ?	もし 時間 に 間に合わなかったら どうしたら いいですか？ moshi jikan ni maniawanakattara doushitara iidesu ka?
If I have troubled what should I do?	もし 困った こと が あったら どうしたら いい です か？ moshi komatta koto ga attara doushitara ii desu ka?
Reference: I think that form "Dou shitara ii desu ka?" is useful for you. In that case, talk your difficulty before phrase "Dou shitara ii desu ka?". As for your difficulty, if you can hardly talk Japanese, use easy Japanese words. In this way, "Watashi(=I), mayotta(=I'm lost), dou shitara ii desu ka?(=What should I do?)" "Watashi(=I), kyoto(=Kyoto), iku(=go/visit), dou shitara ii desu ka?(=What should I do?)" "Watashi(=I), takushii(=taxi), noru(=take), dou shitara ii desu ka?(=What should I do?)" Probably, the Japanese is able to understand it.

 

 

 

5. "II DESU, Mooo II DESU" for refusal, rejection, and anger.

This "II DESU" means the refusal.
Almost all Japanese people not use "NO".
Because Japan has the culture that values harmony, the Japanese doesn't use word "NO".
The Japanese think that word "NO" deteriorates the atmosphere of the scene.
Therefore, the Japanese often uses the phrase that shows refusals such as "Kekkou desu" and "Ii desu".

This "II DESU" is the following meanings.

• I'm not in the mood.
• I don't want it.
• I don't want to go.
• I'm reluctant.

"II DESU" is polite and used a lot for conveying a different and negative meaning.

Example:

English	Japanese
Can I be of any help? No, I got it.	手伝い ましょう か？ tetsudai mashou ka? いえ、いい です。 ie, ii desu.
How about some coffee? I don't want to drink.	コーヒー でも どう？ kohi demo dou? いい です。 ii desu.
I'd like you to come. Sorry, but I can't.	来て もらいたい んだけど。 kite morai tain dakedo. いい です。遠慮 して おきます。 ii desu. enryo shite okimasu.

 

Column: "Mooo ii desu/Mooo iidesu kara"

What does "Mooo II DESU/ Mooo II DESU KARA" mean?
If you hear people arguing, you may hear "ii desu!" yelled out by one of the arguers, with the "ii" strongly emphasized, said much louder than "desu". Sometimes you may hear a long mou before the ii. "mou ii desu !". ( "Enough already! just forget it!") The person who is shouting "Mooo II DESU" is very angry.

 

In spite of the same phrase, "IIDESU" is used in various scenes.
Probably you will be confused by these words.

If you are troubled by such a scene, please observe "expression of the Japanese's and behavior" carefully.

If they are nodding, it will be "Consent or approval."
If they are shaking their head, it will be "Refusal."

It is better to ask them their intention once again, when you cannot understand their feeling.

 

By Hararie

 

What does "sumimasen" mean?

Many Japanese people say it as "Suimasen".

Many people use "suimasen" though a formal pronunciation originally is "sumimasen".

It is because "suimasen" is pronounced easily for the Japanese.

"SUMIMASEN" has 3 meanings.

Since "Sumimasen" can be used in several different situations (when requesting something, when thanking someone etc.), listen carefully to what the context is.

1. SUMIMASEN for apology
2. SUMIMASEN for thanks
3. (CHOTTO)SUMIMASEN for "Calling and request (permission)"

 

1. SUMIMASEN for apology

Sumimasen is most often used as "pardon me" in Japan.

It is probably the most common phrase used to apologize.
The Japanese apologize far more frequently than American and European.

It is not too much to say that there is "Sumimasenn culture" in Japan.
Apologizing is considered a virtue in Japan.
This probably results from cultural differences between them.

Moreover, the Japanese often bows when apologizing.

 

The meaning of word "SUMIMASEN"
　-(I'm) sorry.
　-Pardon me.

 

 

 

 

 

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
Your dog's barking is too loud. I'm sorry.	"あなたの家の犬がほえてうるさいんですけど。" [anata no uchi no inu ga hoete urusaindesu kedo] すみません" [sumimasen]
I'm sorry I'm too late.	大変遅くなりました。すいません。 [taihen osokunarimashita. Suimasen]
I'm sorry to call you so late at night.	夜分遅くの電話ですいません。 [yabun osoku no denwa de suimasen]
I'm sorry for this noise.	騒がしくして すみません。 [sawagashikuksite sumimasen]
I'm sorry I have kept you waiting for a long time.	お待たせしてしまって すみません。 [omatase shitesimatte sumimasen]
I'm sorry for the mistake.	間違って すみません。 [machigatte sumimasen]
I'm sorry to trouble you.	ご迷惑をおかけして すみません" [gomeiwaku wo okake shite sumimasen]

<Note>:
If you are apologizing that something has been done, "Sumimasen deshita" can be used.

 

 

2. SUMIMASEN for thanks

The meaning of word "SUMIMASEN"

-Thank you

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
Please have a seat. "Oh! Thank you!"	どうぞ お座りください。 [douzo, osuwari kudasai.] あら、すいません！ [ara, suimasen!]

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
This is a little something. You're always so kind.	つまらないものですが [tsumaranai mono desuga] "いつもどうもすみません" [itsumo doumo sumimasen.]
Thank you for your help.	手伝ってもらって すみません [tetsudatte morattte sumimasen]

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
Thank you for being so helpful.	すみません、助かります [sumimasen, tasukarimasu]
Thank you for taking time out of your tight schedule.	お忙しい中、時間を割いていただいて すみません。 [oisogashii naka, jikan wo saite itadaite sumimasen]
I have no words to thank you.	ほんとにどうもすみません [honto ni doumo sumimasen]

<Note>:
"Honto ni doumo sumimasen" can be used to apologize, too.

 

 

3. (CHOTTO) SUMIMASEN for "calling and request (permission)"

Sumimasen often is used as "anoo...sumimasen" in combination with the hesitation noise "anoo...".

The meaning of word "SUMIMASEN"

　-Excuse me.
　-I beg your pardon.

 

a. When you want to go through in a crowd on a street.

"Excuse me, may I get through, please?"

"あの～すみません、ちょっと通してもらえますか？"
[anoo...sumimasen, chotto tooshite morae masuka?]

 

b. At the shop:

Customer: Sumimasen.(Excuse me.)
Shopkeeper: Hai, irasshaimase.(Yes, May I help you, sir?)

 

c.At the office:
anoo...Sumimasen.(Excuse me.) Mensetsu ni ukagattan desuga.(I'm here for an interview)

 

d. At the bar
Sumimasen.(Excuse me.) beer wo onegai shimasu.(May I have another glass of beer?)

 

This "SUMIMASEN" is used by various situations.

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
May I come in?	すみません、入っていいですか？ [sumimasen, haitte ii desuka?]
May I use the bathroom?	すみません、お手洗いをお借りしてもいいですか？ [sumimasen, otearai wo okari shitemo ii desuka?]
May I ask you a question?	すみません、ひとつ聞いてもいいですか[sumimasen, hitotsu kiitemo iidesuka?]
Can I borrow this book?	すみません、この本を借りていいですか[sumimasen, kono hon wo karite ii desuka?]
Do you mind if I smoke here?	すみません、ここでタバコを吸っていいでしょうか？[sumimasen, kokode tabako wo sutte ii deshou ka?]"

 

We(the Japanese) use the word "sumimasen" very frequently.
That will be because the word "sumimasen" is convenient word for us.
This "sumimasen" is very convenient word for Japanese people who likes "a soft expression."

 

By Hararie

 

 

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.

1. DOUMO for a greeting.
2. DOUMO for thanks.
3. DOUMO for emphasis.
4. DOUMO for omission of sentence.
5. 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	やあ、どうも！お元気ですか？ yah ! doumo ! ogenki desuka ?	Oh, hi ! How are you?
	いやあ、どうも！ Iyahh, doumo ! ああ、どうも～! Ah, doumoh!	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?
	あら！どうも！ ara! doumo! まあ、どうも！ mah, doumo !	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
What a nice house ! I'm glad you like it.	素敵なお宅ですね。 suteki na o-taku desune. [ 気に入ってくれて] どうも [ ありがとう ]。 [kini itte kurete] doumo [arigatoh].
Thank you very much for your kindness the other day. [=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？" watashi tachi wa chikoku ni nacchau kana ? "どうもそのようだね" doumo sono yoh dane.

 

 

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