# Kanji **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570 "2007-07-20T18:09:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/21 "2007-07-21T08:35:50Z")
[slight hijack] So who is the comedian who does the bit about, “I wonder if trendy young Japanese guys get English words tatooed on themselves?” [/slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Gorgonzola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e480ec/32.png) [@Gorgonzola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgonzola)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/22 "2007-07-21T14:26:27Z")
The OP is not asking if this is an acceptable or appropriate thing to do. The question is about the best way to convey the meaning on the underside of his/her wrist. **treis** makes a very good point. What’s your objection to a little happy face, **Blized**? It precisely conveys what you want and is widely understood beyond the age of 3. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/23 "2007-07-21T14:32:24Z")
> [@jovan](#): > > これ、食べんの？ [QUOTE=Sleel] Or in my area: I’m assuming whatever it is is closer to the listener than the speaker, so I’m going with _sore_ as the indicator. それをたべるの。(_sore o taberu no_) The “no” is a casual question marker, so ? is optional here. “O” is more properly written “wo” but the w sound is basically gone in speech, though still nominally there in writing. For easier reading, I left it out. それをたべるなの？ (_sore o taberu na no?_) More like “Are you actually going to eat that” and has a feminine feeling. それ、食う？ (_sore kuu?_) If you want to sound like a guy. [/QUOTE] I guess I should elaborate on the meaning and context I’m going for. The phrase “You gonna eat that?” is being used by someone (me) who has finished his own food and is now hinting about to see if others are going to finish their own food in hopes of being able to have it himself. It does not indicate that I want to eat the koi. Oh, and I’m sorry for completely hijacking this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/24 "2007-07-21T15:22:59Z")
[QUOTE=Operation Ripper] Yeah, but I’m still right, no? [/QUOTE] [Moderating] Whether you are right or not about the subject is completely irrelevant. Your post as you phrased it was dead wrong. You know very well that the kind of response you posted is not acceptable in this forum. If you wanted to respond in those terms, you should have started a Pit thread and linked to it. You are well aware of this. I note that you have been the recipient of several other warnings by other moderators for insulting remarks outside the Pit in recent months. I would strongly suggest that you consider very carefully if your comments are appropriate for the forum you are in before posting in the future. A word to the wise. **Colibri** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/25 "2007-07-21T19:13:46Z")
[QUOTE=jovan] There used to be a town in Toyama called Jōhana, written 城端 (castle’s edge). It’s somewhat famous for its traditional crafts. How about 嬢花 or 嬢華 – also _jō-hana_ – which reads daughter/miss - flower. There’s less confusion, as the first character can only be read _jō_. [/QUOTE] Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu, Jovan san! ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/26 "2007-07-21T19:56:58Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] [Moderating]A word to the wise. **Colibri** General Questions Moderator [/QUOTE] Me? Wise? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/27 "2007-07-21T20:12:46Z")
[QUOTE=Operation Ripper] Me? Wise? [/QUOTE] Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/28 "2007-07-21T20:13:32Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] Your choice. [/QUOTE] Cryptic. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/29 "2007-07-21T20:31:58Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] [Moderator Warning] **Operation Ripper** , you’ve been around long enough to know that this kind of response is completely inappropriate for GQ. If you can’t restrain yourself better than that, you should refrain from posting anything at all. Do not do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator. [/QUOTE] Hey, congrats on the Moderator appointment!! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/30 "2007-07-21T22:06:41Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Hey, congrats on the Moderator appointment!! [/QUOTE] Thanks. I’m still getting the jackboots broken in. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/31 "2007-07-21T22:27:12Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] Thanks. I’m still getting the jackboots broken in. 🙂 [/QUOTE] And you’ll only need to change one letter of your username: _Kolibri_. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/32 "2007-07-22T02:04:51Z")
[QUOTE=jovan] As for the op, I’d like to suggest: ハ ピ ネ ス I know, I know, it’s not kanji… [/QUOTE] In case the OP was wondering about the meaning of **jovan** ’s little jest– It’s written in katakana, and it phonetically spells ha pi ne su ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/33 "2007-07-22T12:26:24Z")
[QUOTE=cckerberos] Some possibly better choices: 幸 幸福 喜 [/QUOTE] I’d agree with these. The kanji linked in the OP does not mean happiness. To answer the hijack question, I’d go with the question posed in the negative, “Aren’t you going to eat that?” それを食べない? which will better convey the idea you want to eat it if they don’t. The other choice would be to ask “Are you going to eat that as well?” それも食べる？ which may actually be better since it implies that they’ve eaten a certain amount and you are asking if they are then going to eat that as well. If not, you want it. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/34 "2007-07-23T02:22:42Z")
[QUOTE=TokyoPlayer] I’d agree with these. The kanji linked in the OP does not mean happiness. To answer the hijack question, I’d go with the question posed in the negative, “Aren’t you going to eat that?” それを食べない? which will better convey the idea you want to eat it if they don’t. The other choice would be to ask “Are you going to eat that as well?” それも食べる？ which may actually be better since it implies that they’ve eaten a certain amount and you are asking if they are then going to eat that as well. If not, you want it. [/QUOTE] Thanks for your reply. Quick question: is the question mark at the end required? ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/35 "2007-07-23T03:39:00Z")
[QUOTE=Dante] Thanks for your reply. Quick question: is the question mark at the end required? [/QUOTE] In all the examples and variations posted in this thread, yes. Otherwise, you end up with an affirmative or negative statement instead of a question. ---
**Author:** ![MrJackboots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MrJackboots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrJackboots)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/36 "2007-07-23T08:02:25Z")
[QUOTE=Dante] OK, now that all the Japanese speakers and writers are in the thread, how do you write “You gonna eat that?” in Japanese. See, cause I want to get a nice koi tattoo, and koi grow to fill their environment, and I’m fat. So it’s funny. See how funny it is? [/QUOTE] I brought this up to a Japanese-speaking friend, who thought about it and suggested (since the idea, usually, is to look something like traditional poetic forms) the following: 残食 頂戴? It’s two words in four characters, and literally it translates to “Leftover food, please?” (“Leftover food” is a bit of a constructed word, since 残物, “leftovers”, means extra scrap in general, be it ice cream or cement). He also suggested “残食貰おう” while he was drafting that up, but I have very little idea what it actually means; **TokyoPlayer** , could you lend a hand here? ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/37 "2007-07-23T08:50:34Z")
[QUOTE=MrJackboots] I brought this up to a Japanese-speaking friend, who thought about it and suggested (since the idea, usually, is to look something like traditional poetic forms) the following: 残食 頂戴? [/quote] I don’t like that one. First, it’s not poetic at all. 頂戴 is one of the more informal ways to ask someone for something. Second, 残食 is an _on-yomi_ compound and those are generally avoided in poetic forms and they sound a bit technical. It’s four kanji for sure, but it doesn’t read anything like four-character locutions, which were for the most part imported from Chinese. I don’t think it translates at all the original thought. This isn’t a dog asking for table scraps. _“You gonna eat that?”_ conveys (at least to me) the image of a glutton somewhat rudely peeking in your plate while you’re eating. There’s no notion of leftover, just a very general “that”. When translating, you have to take into consideration the very general nature of “that”, which is done by using either それ or これ depending on whether the object is closer to the speaker or listener. You also need to account for the informality conveyed by the contraction “gonna” and the dropping of “are” at the beginning of the sentence. You can achieve this by dropping particles and using vernacular forms for the verb “eat”. So you either get my original suggestion, or this variation, which might be slightly more natural: それ、食わんの？ > [@](#): > > He also suggested “残食貰おう” while he was drafting that up, but I have very little idea what it actually means; **TokyoPlayer** , could you lend a hand here? It can translate as “let’s have (receive) leftovers”, or, less literally, “how about I have your leftovers?” ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/38 "2007-07-23T13:46:25Z")
My Firefox is not showing any of the characters (I am switching from IE who did show them). Could anyone please help? And how do you write “So what if I can’t read Kanjis?” in Kanji ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/39 "2007-07-23T13:48:01Z")
[QUOTE=jovan] It can translate as “let’s have (receive) leftovers”, or, less literally, “how about I have your leftovers?” [/QUOTE] That may be the most accurate way of putting it. Does “残食貰おう” require a question mark? Also, we’re having a lovely discussion [over here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=429765) about this topic, for anyone who’s interested. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570/40 "2007-07-23T13:54:12Z")
[QUOTE=Sapo] And how do you write “So what if I can’t read Kanjis?” in Kanji [/QUOTE] Okay, that’s pretty funny. We could start a whole line of self-effacing kanji tattoos: “I’m under the impression this tattoo is complementary” “This tattoo could be gibberish for all I know.” “My culture is boring. Mind if I borrow yours?” Some of the people in this thread could make a nice sideline making tattoo flash. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanji/412570.md?page=3)