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watashi Vs. 'I' & 'you'
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 6:52 pm
by jeffbert
Another METROPOLIS question. Kenichi is trying to teach Tima to speak, but what does he really say? The subs have the conversation centering on Tima's misuse of 'I' & 'you' the 1st and 2nd person pronouns, but in Japanese, both are 'watashi'!
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 4:52 am
by wing area
I might be able to help? Where can I watch the clip? (Still haven't seen Metropolis! Bah...)
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:44 am
by jeffbert
I know of none; it is on DVD, though.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:05 am
by AprilSeven
This sounds like an F-man question (but I saw his computer was out of commission...)
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:07 am
by Dr. Jerk
I don't think F-Man would be able to help anyway. This question deals more with Japanese grammar, not so much Metropolis itself.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:34 am
by F-Man
From memory alone, i remember Kenichi says "Kimi wa watashi" ("You are I") followed by something something kimi ("Watashi wa kimi', I think). I'm almost certain "kimi" is one of the many variants of "you" in Japanese.
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:37 am
by wing area
"F-Man" wrote:I'm almost certain "kimi" is one of the many variants of "you" in Japanese.
It is. It's considered informal, typically used by men (who are speaking to someone of lower status).