【No. 1170】Tokoton (とことん - Thoroughly)
This term comes from the rhythmic stepping sound トコトントコトン (tokoton tokoton), which represents a Japanese dance.
There are two theories about the etymology of this sound -- one says that "toko" means "floor" and "ton" is an onomatopoeia that represents the stepping sound, and the other says that "tokoton" itself is the onomatopoeia.
Also, the reason why "tokoton" has come to have the current meaning is because the Japanese military song とことんやれ節 (tokoton yare bushi) had become popular in 1868.
Where やれ (yare) means "do it," and 節 (bushi) means "melody."
It's thought that since the discipline of the military was very strict, "tokoton yare" (tokoton do it) was considered as "do it thoroughly until the end."
物事の最後の最後や、徹底的に何かをすることを表す時、「とことん」という日本語を使うことがあります。
この言葉は、日本舞踊を表現する「トコトントコトン」というリズミカルな足拍子の音に由来します。
この足拍子には、「トコ」は「床」を意味し「トン」のみが擬音だとする説と、「トコトン」自体が擬音だとする説がありますが、正確なことはわかっていません。
そして、「トコトン」が現在の意味を持つようになった理由は、1868年に流行した軍歌「とことんやれ節」に由来します。
「やれ」は "do it," 「節」は "melody" を意味します。
軍の規律の厳しさから、「とことんやれ」が「最後まで徹底的にやれ」のような意味に捉えらたものと考えられます。
Corrections (1)
- Tokoton (とことん - Thoroughly)
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- When you want to express the end of things or doing something thoroughly, you can use the Japanese term とことん (tokoton).
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When you want to express the completion of things, or doing something thoroughly, you can use the Japanese term とことん (tokoton).
I think the word "completion|" suits better in this context.
- This term comes from the rhythmic stepping sound トコトントコトン (tokoton tokoton), which represents a Japanese dance.
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This term comes from the rhythmic stepping sound トコトントコトン (tokoton tokoton), which is a representation of the traditional Japanese dance.
I believe because of the wooden shoes they wear when dancing traditional Japanese dances. Is it?
- There are two theories about the etymology of this sound -- one says that "toko" means "floor" and "ton" is an onomatopoeia that represents the stepping sound, and the other says that "tokoton" itself is the onomatopoeia.
-
There are two theories about the etymology of this sound. One says that "toko" means "floor", and "ton" is an onomatopoeia which represents the stepping sound. The other says that "tokoton" itself is the onomatopoeia.
I got caught on it too, but in English sentence structure it is safer to not use things like: "--" ":" etc. Also, if you can spit one big sentence into 2 separate ones ALWAYS do it. ;) it will be a winning decision. The essence is to make the sentences as coherent and short as possible.
Let me know if you have questions here.
- Also, the reason why "tokoton" has come to have the current meaning is because the Japanese military song とことんやれ節 (tokoton yare bushi) had become popular in 1868.
- Also, the reason why "tokoton" has come to have the current meaning is that of the Japanese military song とことんやれ節 (tokoton yare bushi), which became popular in 1868.
- Where やれ (yare) means "do it," and 節 (bushi) means "melody."
- In this song やれ (yare) means "do it," and 節 (bushi) means "melody."
- It's thought that since the discipline of the military was very strict, "tokoton yare" (tokoton do it) was considered as "do it thoroughly until the end."
-
It is thought that, since the discipline of the military was very strict, "tokoton yare" (tokoton do it) was considered to mean "do it thoroughly until the end."
* try avoiding abbreviations as much as possible in academic writing, such as "It's" "We'll" "I'm" etc. Use instead the complete forms as "It is" "We will" "I am" etc.
* And, remember to pay attention to the right punctuation. I know it is very tricky. but you are doing good so far! just be more careful.
* Try using more verbs to explain things whenever you can.
Your English writing skills are amazing! Such a great sense of sentence composition, as well as grammar and words usage! You also have a very well put vocabulary, which is a great asset to have. Keep up with your consistent efforts!
Besides, I found it interesting reading your post. Japanese Onomatopoeias are my weak point!
Thank you for writing about it!
Thank you so much for the corrections and helpful comments!
I'm glad to hear you say that :)
> I believe because of the wooden shoes they wear when dancing traditional Japanese dances. Is it?
日本舞踊 (nihon buyō) is indeed a kind of traditional Japanese dances, but as far as I know, actors wear 足袋 (tabi - split-toe socks), not wooden shoes. Of course, socks don't make clear stepping sounds. Note that Japanese people tend to express various things by using onomatopoeia, even if it doesn't make a sound.
> I got caught on it too, but in English sentence structure it is safer to not use things like: "--" ":" etc. Also, if you can spit one big sentence into 2 separate ones ALWAYS do it. ;)
Thank you for the explanation, I understand well. :)
Please let me ask one question. If these listed elements were words (not sentences), would it be recommended to use "--" or ":" etc.? (E.g., "There are three types: A, B, and C.")