--- In [email protected], celtkin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Kamui, Thank you so much. Yes, this was a huge help. Your suggestion > "for/to true friend" is the best one for the inscription. What dictates > whether "ni" or "e" is used?
You're so welcome. Roughly speaking, "ni" and "e" correspond to the English prepositions "to" and "for" respectively. If you say "shin-yuu ni", it means (again roughly speaking) "(I'll give this) to my best friend", while "shin-yuu e" means "(This is) for my best friend". I think "e" is a little more appropriate than "ni" in your case. > Also, can you tell me, is it appropriate to use the > word "keiai" ? The dictionary says "respect and affection" and I > was going to sign a note with the word. If you want to use the word, say "keiai-suru tomo e". "Keiai" is usually used as a verb with "-suru" added. > I'm amazed at how many words there are for seemingly the same > thing, but if one steps outside of the dictionary and into how > they are all used the variance is huge! I know what you mean. I think it will be very helpful for learners of a foreign language (e.g. Japanese) if there is a dictionary that lists a lot of good examples that illustrate how the word or phrase is used. Are you (or any other members) interested in making such a dictionary? If you are, I'm more than willing to help. Kamui ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $4.98 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/Q7_YsB/neXJAA/yQLSAA/9rHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Japanese_Language/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
