What does "Are" mean in Japanese

LittleKefalos · Post by **LittleKefalos** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 5:58 pm

Ok this may be a bit off topic, but since it is said in many anime what does "are" mean or for that matter "are are." I know it is some common saying, but not sure what means... any help is appreciated.

Rhyevaln · Post by **Rhyevaln** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 6:59 pm

あれ (a·re) pronounced in English as 'are-ray' or something

(friggin English)

As a demonstrative word it is part of the あ series that describes something away from both the speaker and the listener.

あの (a·no) ~ : that ~ (over there)
あれ (a·re) : that thing (over there)
あそこ (a·so·ko) : that place (over there)
あちら (a·chi·ra) : that way (you get the idea)
ああ (a~) :that way (it follows a pattern)

あれ - when asked as an implied question can be literally taken as "that thing over where?"

If you where talking to someone about something and they got a blank stare and said "over where?", you would assume that they are totally confused or lost. (saying "that thing over where" wouldn't be right because the subject would have already been implied, and thus omitted from subsiquent sentences, including the first response)

Usually, Kenshin (who says 'are' a lot), is unaware of the current happenings or why he's being targeted when saying 'are'. The closest English that I can think of is "huh?" or "OMGWTF"... the later is just my personal prefference cause it makes it funnier.

Other than that I a complete moron and claim to know nothing about colloquial Japanese.

danielwang · Post by **danielwang** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 9:48 pm

Rhyevaln;

Was that out of the textbook, or are you a linguistic prof?

Guessing from your interesting name, I would guess the latter. I'm hedging that you've got Esperanto, Elvish and Klingon music discs somewhere.

SS5_Majin_Bebi · Post by **SS5_Majin_Bebi** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 9:59 pm

danielwang wrote:Rhyevaln;

Was that out of the textbook, or are you a linguistic prof?

Guessing from your interesting name, I would guess the latter. I'm hedging that you've got Esperanto, Elvish and Klingon music discs somewhere.

The thing is, he's right. Arewa would be a "that thing..." statement, but just plain old "are?" attached to nothing is basically like saying "Huh?" or just a "...?...". Alot of people hear it as "ore" though, which creates a bit of confusion, lol.

LEIFey · Post by **LEIFey** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 10:30 pm

mebbe he means "ara." thats used in a lot of animes. it means "oh my."

Rhyevaln · Post by **Rhyevaln** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 10:39 pm

danielwang wrote:Rhyevaln;

Was that out of the textbook, or are you a linguistic prof?

Guessing from your interesting name, I would guess the latter. I'm hedging that you've got Esperanto, Elvish and Klingon music discs somewhere.

0.o あれ... As much as I am flattered that you think I am a lunguistics Professor, textbook my friend, textbook. Like G.I. Joe always says "Knowing is half the battle... "

In this case, "...where to look." Being なかま　１　by 牧野　果たさ　 (Nakama 1 by Makino Hatasa)

Aside from that, why would a Linguistics Prof. have Elvish and Klingon music cd's?

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 10:49 pm

I'm a linguistics student and prof-hopeful, but I'm not into Elvish or Esperanto

Though I also know those things offhand. And not due to linguistics, more just general Japanese knowledge.

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:05 pm

Rhyevaln wrote:In this case, "...where to look." Being ????1?by ??????? (Nakama 1 by Makino Hatasa)

Hey, they use that book here at <a href="http://www.tcnj.edu">The College</a>. (I had JAPN 101 last semester...)

LittleKefalos · Post by **LittleKefalos** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:07 pm

thanks that was all helpful.

Actually I was looking for ara (sorry my fault, sounded like are) thanks LEIFey, but it was certainly interesting learning about the other ones so thanks everyone, especially Rhyevaln.

Vlad86 · Post by **Vlad86** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 3:41 am

I want to learn Japanese (or at least to the point where I can read it, understand it, and carry out conversations with native speaking peoples).

I have a Japanese dictionary from Langenscheidt (another language I want to learn is German. Kind of a weird combo fo languages one desires to learn) a CD-ROM set: Instant Immersion Japanese Deluxe from Topics entertainment. Also it included 3 audio discs.
And finally, I have a text book called Japanese For Today. However, it might be a bit dated. (It was my dad's, and the book was printed in 1973. Yeah, 30 years might be a bit dated....)

So with what I have now, any suggestions for a good way to get started?
I already memorized (or, half memorized, as I can recognize, but not write down from memory) the Kata-kana and Hira-gana and select kanji (very few).

One sentence I can form from memory:

Watashi no machi shizuka desu. (My town is quiet)

Anata no machi shizuka desu ka? (Is your town quiet?)

(yep, pretty pathetic

)