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Asking meaning of word
Can someone explain me the difference between the two following sentences, which are both meant for asking the meaning of a word?
1) "Bicycle" ha nihongode nanto iu imi desu ka?
2) "Bycicle" ha nihongode nanto iimasu ka?
Can the reader also try to explain the meaning of "imi". Does this literally mean "meaning"?
2013년 7월 7일 오후 7:19
답변 · 4
1
As Tangoya-san pointed out, the first sentence doesn't sound natural. You could say instead:
Jitensha to iu no wa do- iu imi desu ka?
OR
Jitensha tte do- iu imi desu ka?
2013년 7월 8일
1
1) "Bicycle" ha nihongode nanto iu imi desu ka?
--> What's the meaning of "bicycle" in Japanese?
2) "Bycicle" ha nihongode nanto iimasu ka?
--> How do you/ they say "bicycle" in Japanese?
(Though it's not the direct translation, it can be translated as: How can I say "bicycle" in Japanese?)
2013년 7월 7일
The meaning of "imi" is meaning, so the former sentence is not really grammatical. The meaning of the English word "bicycle" does not change even in Japanese. A bicycle should mean a bicycle everywhere in the world. The second sentence is absolutely grammatical and idiomatic.
2013년 7월 7일
Yes, 'imi' means 'meaning'. That's why it is easy to remember the word since they are almost similar, right?->('imi' and 'meaning'). Also, please note that the word for 'is' is pronounce 'wa' even though it is written 'ha' in Hiragana. That's why while writing in English using 'wa' instead of 'ha' is a good practice...^_^
2013년 7월 7일
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