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【No. 0545】Okagesama

Jun 15, 2016 12:40
Today, I'll talk about the phrase "okagesama," which is often used in Japan.

"Kage" means a shade of the great, such as Shinto or Buddhist deities, and the polite version "okagesama" is used as an appreciation word for other people's help.

Example: 「Okagesama de shoshin dekimasita.」 (Thanks to you, I got promoted.)

Such "okagesama" in the good sense is also used lightheartedly in various situations (even if your conversation partner actually don't help you), something like the following:

A: 「Genki desu ka?」("How are you doing?")

B: 「Okagesama de genki desu.」("Thanks to you, I'm fine.")

In fact, "okagesama" seems to be sometimes translated into "fortunately."

On the other hand, "okagesama" is also used in the sense of irony.

Example: 「Okagesama de shippai shimashita.」 "Thanks to you, I failed."
おかげさま

今日は、日本でよく使われるフレーズ「おかげさま」を紹介します。

「かげ」は、神仏などの偉大なものの「陰」を表しており、それを丁寧にした「おかげさま」は他人から受けた助力に対する感謝の言葉として使われます。

例:おかげさまで、昇進できました。

このような良い意味での「おかげさま」は、次の会話のようにとても気軽に(実際には相手は特に何もしていなくても)使われます。

A「元気ですか?」

B「おかげさまで元気です」

実際、「おかげさまで」は "fortunately" と翻訳されることがあります。

一方、「おかげさま」は皮肉の意味で使われることもあります。

例:おかげさまで、失敗しました。

Corrections (2)

No. 1 Peapod
  • Today, I'll talk about the phrase "okagesama," which is often used in Japan.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Example: 「Okagesama de shoshin dekimasita.」 (Thanks to you, I got promoted.)
  • Example: 「Okagesama de shoshin dekimasita.」 ("Thanks to you, I got promoted.")
  • Such "okagesama" in the good sense is also used lightheartedly in various situations (even if your conversation partner actually don't help you), something like the following:
  • Such "Okagesama", in the good sense, is also used lightheartedly in various situations (even if your conversation partner doesn't actually don't help you). It's something like the following:
  • A: 「Genki desu ka?」("How are you doing?")
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • B: 「Okagesama de genki desu.」("Thanks to you, I'm fine.")
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In fact, "okagesama" seems to be sometimes translated into "fortunately."
  • In fact, "okagesama" seems to be sometimes translated into "fortunately."

    This sentence is fine, but it can also be said like this: "In fact, "okagesama" seems to translated sometimes into 'fortunately.'"

  • On the other hand, "okagesama" is also used in the sense of irony.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Example: 「Okagesama de shippai shimashita.」 "Thanks to you, I failed."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

I didn't know this before now. Thanks a lot! Your entry is very informative!

Toru
Thank you very much for correcting my post!
I'm glad to hear you say that :)
No. 2 sabaideeka
  • Today, I'll talk about the phrase "okagesama," which is often used in Japan.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • "Kage" means a shade of the great, such as Shinto or Buddhist deities, and the polite version "okagesama" is used as an appreciation word for other people's help.
  • "Kage" means the shadow of great beings, such as Shinto or Buddhist deities, and the polite version "okagesama" is used as an appreciation word for other people's help.

    "the great" is a little vague, so I added "beings."

    Since each great being has only one shadow, "the" is better than "a."

  • Example: 「Okagesama de shoshin dekimasita.」 (Thanks to you, I got promoted.)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Such "okagesama" in the good sense is also used lightheartedly in various situations (even if your conversation partner actually don't help you), something like the following:
  • Such "okagesama" in the good sense is also used lightheartedly in various situations (even if your conversation partner hasn't actually helped you). It goes something like the following:
  • A: 「Genki desu ka?」("How are you doing?")
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • B: 「Okagesama de genki desu.」("Thanks to you, I'm fine.")
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In fact, "okagesama" seems to be sometimes translated into "fortunately."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • On the other hand, "okagesama" is also used in the sense of irony.
  • On the other hand, "okagesama" is also used with a sense of irony.
  • Example: 「Okagesama de shippai shimashita.」 "Thanks to you, I failed."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

Wonderful article! I've been wondering about this phrase for a while...

Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post!
I'm happy if my article can give information or be of any help (^^)

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