(No Translation Version) Most recent Japanese word that you've learned

Japanese Language
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Inspired by the ‘Most Recent Japanese word that you’ve learned?’ Thread, I decided to create the No Translation version of the thread, where only the definition of the word in Japanese is allowed. Why do this? After relying solely on monolingual dictionaries such as 大辞林(だいじりん) and 大辞泉(だいじせん) for a month now, I’ve found that I’m able to better conceptualize and understand new words, mainly because monolingual dictionaries are much more detailed than J-A dictionaries. And because the definitions in monolingual dictionaries basically explain the meaning of a word in detail, I basically get to learn its synonyms and new ways to express myself. So I hope we can all add some new words into each other’s vocabulary bank.

The easiest way to find the definition of a word in Japanese for me is to just enter the word in Google Search, and then use とは。For example, I’ll enter 「ガッシリ とは」 into the search engine and the definition will pop up from there.

I’ll start:

庇う (かばう）

他から害を受けないように守って、いたわる。

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Here’s one I just got in me book with a pretty easy to understand definition. More of an expression but whatever. It also doesn’t actually show up on any J-E dictionaries anyways!

虫の報せ (むしのしらせ)

なんとなく良くないことが起こりそうな気がすること。 予感がすること。

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That’s an excellent phrase. Thanks!

I’ll add another

打診(だしん)

前もって相手側の意向を知るためにその問題に触れて，相手の反応をみること

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I’ve found that I’m able to better conceptualize and understand new words

Consuming monolingual content after you learn the basics of a language is definitely a good idea, but it’s not very easy to get started with. I remember reading somewhere that language teachers who teach directly in the given language without translating had a positive effect on students’ learning. Sounds great in theory but you also run the risk of missing information because you couldn’t understand everything, especially if you’re not paying total attention.

Regarding the topic of the thread, I can drop this word:

大草原 (スラング意味)

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I don’t know what that means…

Possible Meaning

Having a hunch that something bad will happen? Sixth sense?

Anyway:

苦悩: 心の痛み。

So like… bringing up a strategy or plan? In a game?

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The way I read it, it’s more like getting a feel for someone by seeing how they respond to questions and such

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ウオシュレット - バイデッドがあるトイレです。

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「ウオッシュレット」じゃないんですか

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通暁 （つうぎょう）： ある物事についてたいへん詳しく知っていること。精通。

I’ve only seen it used with the above meaning, but it can also mean: 夜を通じて明け方に至ること。夜どおし。徹夜。

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This one’s pretty self-explanatory if you know the kanji, but I still think the Japanese translation is interesting!

【和製英語(わせいえいご)】

日本で英語の単語をつなぎ合わせたり変形させたりして、英語らしく作った語。「ゴールイン」「スキンシップ」「バックミラー」など。→和製語

My translation

English-like words made and used in Japan through the combination and modification etc. of existing English words.

There’s also this other definition which was quite tricky for me, especially the last sentence took me a while and many look-ups to understand :weary:

和製英語は、日本語の中で使われる和製外来語の一つで、日本で日本人により作られた、英語の言葉や英語に似ている言葉（固有名詞や商品名などを除く）である。英語圏では別表現をするために理解されなかったり、もしくは、全く異なった解釈をされたりする場合がある。

My translation

和製英語 is just one of many types of Japanese-made loanwords that are used within the Japanese language. Made in Japan by Japanese people using English and English-sounding words (Does not include proper nouns, brand names etc.). Because of the different expressions, these words are not always understood in English speaking countries and in some cases even have completely different meanings.

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