Beginning Japanese for Professionals: Book 1

22 Grammar Notes 1-3-1 Negative Questions as Suggestions Negative questions are sometimes used to suggest or invite to do certain actions. Tabemasen ka Won’t you have some? or Why don’t we eat? Ikimasen ka. Won’t you go? or Shall we go? When accepting the invitation, it’s polite to say Doumo or Arigatou gozaimasu . When turning down the invitation, avoid saying no directly. It’s best to instead leave things ambiguous by saying chotto and sound hesitant by speaking slowly and elongating vowels. Kore tabemasen ka . Would you like to have some? Accepting: Arigatou gozaimasu. Ja, chotto itadakimasu . Thank you. I’ll have a little, then. Turning down: Iyaa, chottooo … Well…just … 1-3-2 Chotto : Impact Softener Chotto literally means ‘a little’. However, it is often used as an impact softener during a conversation when less-than favorable information is presented. For example, as explained in GN 1-3-1, it’s polite to just say chotto when rejecting an invitation or request, rather than saying no. The efforts to avoid an unpleasant or awkward situation is evidenced in the frequent use of chotto in Japanese communication. Here are some examples. • To get attention from others • To be humble: When accepting something offered: Ja, chotto itadakimasu. Then, I’ll take just a little. When asked if you know something well: Chotto wakarimasu kedo … I understand a little, but… • To soften impact: When making a request Suimasen. Chotto onegai-shimasu . Excuse me. Can I just ask a favor? When you do not know the answer to a question: Chotto wakarimasen nee . I just do not know. When you suggest taking a break, regardless of the actual length of the break: Chotto, yasumimasen ka? Shall we take a short break? 1-3-3 Aizuchi : How to be a Good Listener When you participate in a Japanese conversation you are expected to give frequent feedback and show that you are engaged. Feedback includes nodding, making facial expressions, and using short expressions such as hai , soo desu ka, aa and others.