Language to avoid in Japanese?

[sixpacktr]

Tayo,

there are several that are rude, and several that are okay with close associates that would be considered rude with those you don't know well.

baka means fool. Don't use it with people you don't know. You CAN call a friend a baka, but you have to say it nicely, so that they know you are joking around.

yaro is another rude way of saying 'him' or 'you'. So is 'anta' (a rude way of saying 'anata', or you). To be really rude, go the route of 'teimei'.

'Oi' is a way of saying 'hey'. Not good, unless, again, you are with close associates.

So, if you're looking to start a fight, begin with 'Oi! Teimei yaro, nani yatterun da!' (Hey, you!, What the he!! are you doing?).

But I digress.

As a general rule, familiar language can be construed as rude in the wrong setting. Remember to 'politinize' things with 'kudasai', 'onegai shimasu', etc., and you'll be fine.

If you want more detailed help on what would and wouldn't be appropriate, drop me a line. I'd be happy to help.

[TheJosmo]

Normally, you want to make sure you are not too blunt or direct. Instead of saying "I don't want this," you would say, "This is a little..." Words like "chotto" and "ga" are staples of polite Japanese, as well as general polite endings, pronouns, and verbs.
Less polite Japanese is used between family members and close friends.

As far as "baka" goes, I once said in class, "Takusan no terebi wo miru to, atama ga baka ni narimasu." Or, when you watch a lot of TV, your head becomes stupid. My sensei told me that using "baka" is only appropriate in joking, which I clearly was. Sarcasm is not very well understood in Japan, but is becoming popular in the younger Japanese.

[Tayo]

Ah, I see. It's like using the word "stupid" as a direct insult, rather than using it in a less direct way. So, I was asking earlier, I'm curious, is 四月のばか appropriate? I was told that's what April Fool is in Japanese. By the way, you can use kana and kanji, actually I'd like it better if you did.

[TheJosmo]

すみません, I didn't have access to my handy word processor at the moment. If I don't have it, my computer refuses to type in Japanese.
Anyway, I think the use in April Fool's day is okay, but I'm still not exactly sure. For the most part, "baka" seems like something to avoid in polite conversation.

[Tayo]

Oh yes, sure, of course. It's not like I'd be really using it or anything for that sense.

Also, sixpacktr, I know all about the grammar vocab and such because I've been studying it on my own for the past 2 years, but for quite a while I've been worried about what the church's standards are on Japanese since it's very different from English. Though, something has really bothered me. Mainly, the music I like and such. The songs don't have bad messages or anything but it's mainly like usage of pronouns such as 君, etc, and regular verb forms. (Like maybe 聞く rather than 聞きます). I know I wouldn't really speak like that in actual conversations, but I just want to know if it's ok? I feel as if the lyrics aren't exactly bad, but maybe the use pronouns or so that are considered not polite. I just fear that I'll have to stop listening to them because it's like the only type of music I like.

[sixpacktr]

Well, you wouldn't use 'kimi' with someone you wouldn't know, again unless you want to insult them. For the most part, you will be cut a lot of slack as a gaijin in what you say, at least when it comes to verb endings, etc. In church, people talk regular Japanese, just like everywhere else, but you will find during prayers that it isn't just honorific language that is used but almost a high honorific (lots of '-sama', 'de gozaimasu', 'irrashaimasu', etc.). That all comes with practice, but I didn't worry that much about it.

Anyway, anything other than 'anata' when referring to the person you're talking to (not anta, kimi, omae, etc) or 'watakushi' (not 'ore', although 'boku' can be used, but is more a male child's way of referring to himself) you may want to steer clear of.

[Tayo]

Yes, I know... But what I've been trying to ask about does not deal with actual conversation, but like in songs.

[ADoyle90815]

It's also considered polite to bow to someone in Japan. Just saying.