【No. 0581】The Moon Is Beautiful, Isn't It? (I Love You)

Jul 21, 2016 09:33

Today, I'd like to talk about the phrase "tuki ga kirei desune," which sometimes becomes a hot topic.

The literal meaning is "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?," but this phrase might include the meaning of "I love you."

It is said that a Japanese famous novelist and teacher Natsume Soseki said when he heard his student translated "I love you" into "ware kimi o aisu" (ware means I, kimi means you, and aisu means love):

"Japanese people don't use such an expression, you should say 'the moon is beautiful isn't it?'."

That is, he mentioned that Japanese can understand the true meaning, even if you don't use words of love.

This expression is often thought of as affectional, graceful, and beautiful.

However, it might not actually convey the meaning of "I love you," please be careful.

月が綺麗ですね

今日は、日本で時々話題になる「月が綺麗ですね」という言葉を紹介します。

文字通りの意味は「the moon is beautiful」ですが、「I love you」という意味を含むこともあります。

日本の有名な小説家である夏目漱石が英語教師をしていたとき、生徒が「I love you」を「我君ヲ愛ス」と訳したのを聞いて次のように言ったそうです。

「日本人はそんなことを言わない。月が綺麗ですね、とでもしておきなさい。」

つまり、直接的に愛の言葉を使わなくても、日本人には意味が伝わるだろうということです。

この表現は、情緒的で奥ゆかしく美しいとされています。

しかし、意味が伝わらない可能性も十分あるので、注意が必要です。

Corrections (3)

No. 1　Vector

• Today, I'd like to talk about the phrase "tuki ga kirei desune," which sometimes becomes a hot topic.
• Today, I'd like to talk about the phrase "tuki ga kirei desune," which can occasionally causmetimes pbecoplmes toa gehot very topassionatec.

• It is said that a Japanese famous novelist and teacher Natsume Soseki said when he heard his student translated "I love you" into "ware kimi o aisu" (ware means I, kimi means you, and aisu means love):
• It is said that a Japanese famous novelist and teacher Natsume Soseki said, when he heard his student translated "I love you" into "ware kimi o aisu" (ware means I, kimi means you, and aisu means love):

• "Japanese people don't use such an expression, you should say 'the moon is beautiful isn't it?'."
• "Japanese people would onever't use such an expression., Yyou should say 'the moon is beautiful isn't it?'."

• That is, he mentioned that Japanese can understand the true meaning, even if you don't use words of love.
• TBy that is, he meantioned that Japanese can understand the true meaning, even if you don't use words of love.

• This expression is often thought of as affectional, graceful, and beautiful.
• This expression is often thought of as affectionatel, graceful, and beautiful.

what a beautiful expression! I like it a lot. i heard that Japanese people are not so direct with affection compared to Western people. it's an interesting cultural difference, I think.

Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post!
Yes, Japanese people (especially citizens of Kyoto) don't express their feelings directly very much. I also think the cultural difference interesting :)

No. 2　Chris

• Today, I'd like to talk about the phrase "tuki ga kirei desune," which sometimes becomes a hot topic.
• Today, I'd like to talk about the phrase "tuki ga kirei desune," which sometimes become a popular topic of discussion.

  "hot topic" isn't necessarily wrong, but I don't think it's used much so it sounds a little off to me.

• The literal meaning is "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?," but this phrase might include the meaning of "I love you."
• The literal meaning is "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?," but this phrase can mean "I love you."

  I think this way is more natural

• It is said that a Japanese famous novelist and teacher Natsume Soseki said when he heard his student translated "I love you" into "ware kimi o aisu" (ware means I, kimi means you, and aisu means love):
• It is said that a famous Japanese novelist and teacher, Natsume Soseki, said this when he heard (that) his student (had) translated "I love you" into "ware kimi o aisu" (ware means I, kimi means you, and aisu means love):

• "Japanese people don't use such an expression, you should say 'the moon is beautiful isn't it?'."
• "Japanese people don't say things like that; you should say 'the moon is beautiful isn't it?'."

  "Japanese people would never use such an expression" is fine too, but I think this is a much more casual/natural way to say it

• That is, he mentioned that Japanese can understand the true meaning, even if you don't use words of love.
• That is, he mentioned that Japanese people can understand the true meaning, even if you don't use words [like/about/of] love.

  Since 'Japanese' can refer to either the people or the language in English, it's better to clarify which one is being talked about

Toru
Thank you very much for the corrections and helpful explanations!

No. 3　Irene / アイリン

• The literal meaning is "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?," but this phrase might include the meaning of "I love you."
• The literal meaning is "the moon is beautiful, isn't it?," but this phrase may also mean "I love you."

This is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing! I will remember what you said the next time I want to say "the moon is so beautiful". Such a sweet and romantic expression! ^_^

Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post!
Yes, I also think it's a romantic expression.
I hope you can use this expression in a perfect situation :)

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