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Res.8 |
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by
クエン酸
from
日本 2003/12/14 16:48:29
> Res. 6
Why? It is certainly worthwhile to explain Japanese language/culture to non-Japanese, as long as they are interested. The original poster’s question was not just to know direct translation of a Japanese word, but how to explain cultural backgrounds of a certain Japanese expression. It’s fun to learn something about foreign language/culture, and I believe it applies to Canadians, too. Do you think Japanese language/culture worthless? If so, why do you visit ”jpcanada.com”?
That said, I think one has to be careful in explaining Japanese language/culture, as it is often subtle and easily causes misunderstandings.
Anyhow, let me try to answer the original question.
”Otsukare” came from the word ”tsukare” which means tiredness. Roughly speaking, it implies ”After all the hard work which I appreciate, you must be tired now.” So it can be used when your colleague finishes something, often at the end of work hours. ”O” at the beginning of ”otsukare” is a prefix showing politeness and respect. Actually, we have an even more polite expression ”otsukare-sama”, which has the same meaning as ”otsukare” but is just more polite. In Japan, you are supposed to say ”otsukare-sama” to your boss or elders. ”Otsukare” would be OK for your close friends or colleagues. ”Sama” roughly corresponds to ”Mr.” or ”Ms.” in English. As a similar example, ”kyaku” means customer or guest, but it does not sound polite by itself. ”Okyaku” is slightly more polite, and ”Okyaku-sama”, meaning ”the respectable Mr. (or Ms.) customer”, is much more polite.
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