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Aug 03rd 2011 19:26
Hello, friends!
I feel a little bit ashamed to ask this easy question...
Well, I'm not sure where to put the word "just" correctly in a sentence.

Example:
A: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is just a word to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so.

B: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is a word just to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so.

Which do you think is correct or sounds more natural?
Thanks :)
Lightning
Thank you for your correction!
Aug 03rd 2011 19:50
  • I feel a little bit ashamed to ask this easy question...

  • I feel a little bit ashamed/embarrassed to asking this easy question...

 
  • B: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is a word just to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so.

  • B: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is a word just to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so. To me, this one is more natural.

 
It would also sound more natural just to say "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is a word used to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning or discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so."
Aug 03rd 2011 19:41 Bread
“

  • B: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is a word just to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so. To me, this one is more natural.

”
This must be a difference between US/British English, because B sounds pretty unnatural to me.
Aug 03rd 2011 20:00 Lightning
Possibly. :-) With the person below saying it sounds quite unfriendly, to me it doesn't sound that unfriendly, more just stating something.
Aug 03rd 2011 23:15 龍
Frankly, I'm a little bit confused about that opposite answers.
But it's okay. I'm gland to hear many opinions!
Thank you very much :)
Bread
Aug 03rd 2011 19:39
"A" is the natural way to say it. The same as you can use ただの～の言葉 in Japanese. I think one of the reasons people don't like it is that it sounds like 害人.
Aug 03rd 2011 23:01 龍
害人?　haha, You create a very funny term!
You must be fluent in Japanese and know much about kanji.
Thank you very much.
jkwl90
Aug 03rd 2011 19:43
A should be used in this case. It focuses on the idea that Gaijin "has no special meaning" and is simply a word.

In B's case, ""Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is a word just to describe non-Japanese people." gives people the feeling that this word "Gaijin" is purposely made for describing non-Japanese people. Therefore, giving this unfriendly tone that you do not want.

Hope its clearer to you now. ^^
and hope I didn't confused you. ><
Aug 03rd 2011 23:02 龍
I see. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your correction!
Aug 03rd 2011 20:07
  • A: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is just a word to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some dislike being called so.

  • "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is just a word to describe a non-Japanese person and has no special meaning or any discriminatory intent, but some people hate to be called so.

 
i think A and i made some few changes in the sentence to a more comprehensive meaning. and it sounds more native :)
Aug 03rd 2011 23:02 龍
Many thanks!
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Hello, friends! I feel a little bit ashamed to ask this easy question... Well, I'm not sure where to put the word "just" correctly in a sentence. Example: A: "Gaijin" or "gaikokujin" is just a word to describe non-Japanese people and has no special meaning like discriminatory intent, but some


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