Language to avoid in Japanese?

Tayo · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:32 PM

I've studied Japanese on my own for that past two years, and I've also taken a look at a Japanese version of the Book of Mormon that I have. I'd like to know if anyone knows what kind of language I should avoid in Japanese. It is quite different than English in that they don't exactly have curse words, but some words or phrases that can range from being very polite to very rude, and well, that's basically what curse words are in English, very rude words. If it's not too much, can someone who is a native or maybe even gone to Japan on his/her mission tell me what kind of language I should avoid? You don't have to say exact words, but maybe what kinds. Thank you!

pam · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:35 PM

I don't know Japanese at all..but curious..why would you want to avoid any words in the Book of Mormon? Perhaps I don't completely understand your question.

Tayo · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:37 PM

Sorry if I was unclear. I meant, in real life, not the Book of Mormon of course. I want to avoid bad language in Japanese. I don't know what the standards for the church are in the Japanese language.

pam · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:38 PM

Thanks for clarifying. You brought up the Book of Mormon so I assumed that's what you were referring to.

cougarfan · #5 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 02:11 PM

The best way to avoid bad language is to ask a native. Some words that are not all that bad in English are terrible in Japanese, like Baka (fool). That is like a big swear word in Japanese but just a negative one in English. And don't use the lower forms to someone you are not familiar with or it is like talking down to them. Or even some of the really low forms like Ore instead of using Anata or Kimi. You hear it a lot but it is really low so don't even think about using it. A lot of the guys use it on each other but I wouldn't.
Some of the other swear words I won't mention here. But if you make friends over there they will be happy to tell you the words to be careful of. Sometimes they won't but in general they will.
Oh and don't say "Boo!" to someone. They will just crack up laughing. That is the sound they use to mimic a fart.

Hmmm, can I say that word here? I guess I just did.

Tayo · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 04:24 PM

Wow, I'm really confused about "baka", I hear it all the time in normal use, even when not being used as an insult. It can mean "fool". Like in April Fool's Day, Shigatsu no Baka. I guess I would like to speak to a native then. I think I need a lot of clarifying, but thanks for your explanation though. I talk politely in Japanese anyway.

cougarfan · #7 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tayo

Wow, I'm really confused about "baka", I hear it all the time in normal use, even when not being used as an insult. It can mean "fool". Like in April Fool's Day, Shigatsu no Baka. I guess I would like to speak to a native then. I think I need a lot of clarifying, but thanks for your explanation though. I talk politely in Japanese anyway.

I was told when I was there it was best not to call any one a baka because it was worse than saying fool. You wouldn't call someone a fool over here in normal every day english, but Baka was supposed to be even worse when I was there. Maybe it is not so bad now. It has been a long time since I was last there so things change.

Ganbette ne!

firehotemily · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:22 PM

okay to avoid saying any really rude words in japanese try just to use polite form in your speaking, i don't know why you'd really want to use baka around anyone your trying to get to join the church lol.
EUdict | words or actions designed to avoid embarassment or ridicule | English-Japanese dictionary

those are some words you might wanna avoid.

The Nihongo Bin | Insulting Japanese
that's also a place you can look at for insults or other words you don't wanna use

just as said before, don't use anata it's kindof saying "hey you, i don't care who you are, but yeah you" lol

By the way if you talk like the book of mormon is written you'll be looked at weird because it's hard to understand.

and even if you mess up and accidentally insult someone, remember you are a gaijin you can get away with alot more than actual japanese people. and you can always say your sorry.

BenRaines · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:49 PM

I would think that if you didn't learn the words you should not say it would be hard to say them.

Growing up I went to school with lots of kids from Mexico, their parents working in California, some of the kids thought it was funny to teach them the curse words since they didn't know what they meant.

If you don't learn them you don't have to worry about avoiding them.

Ben Raines

beefche · #10 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tayo

Wow, I'm really confused about "baka", I hear it all the time in normal use, even when not being used as an insult. It can mean "fool". Like in April Fool's Day, Shigatsu no Baka. I guess I would like to speak to a native then. I think I need a lot of clarifying, but thanks for your explanation though. I talk politely in Japanese anyway.

I'm confused. If you speak Japanese and hear things, I'm can only assume that you are speaking to either natives or someone who knows Japanese pretty well. Can't you ask one of them your questions regarding grammar and polite language?