When I teach Japanese, I realize that it’s hard for me to translate into Japanese or English.
I’d like to introduce three words to you.
I’m sorry
![](https://youtonihongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sorry_soft.jpg)
If you’re learning Japanese, you may translate “I’m sorry” to “ごめんなさい”.
However, “I’m sorry” and “ごめんなさい” are not always the same word.
When I talk about a bad experience, some students say to me ごめんなさい.
They literally translate “I’m sorry”, but ごめんさい is all about apologizing.
We don’t say ごめんなさい for bad situations.
がんばって(ganbatte)
![](https://youtonihongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/oueng.png)
がんばる means “To keep trying and endure even in the face of difficulties.”
がんばって is a request form of がんばる.
(ex)
A. あした テストが あるんだ。 I have an exam tomorrow.
B. がんばって!
Some people translate がんばって to “Good luck”.
In my opinion, がんばって is more like “Do your best” or I hope you will do well.”
Good luck is “good” + “luck”, so it’s like a coincident.
However, がんばって is all about his/her effort.
もったいない(mottainai)
![](https://youtonihongo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1840725-409x530.png)
Some people translate もったいない to “waste”, but I don’t agree with it.
When we are not fully utilizing the value of things, we would say もったいない.
It sounds like “waste”, but in my opinion, もったいない is more like a feeling word.
Like, I respect food, so I’m sorry for food.
Interestingly, if your friend has a very good boyfriend or girlfriend, you might say “あなたにはもったいない” as a joke.
It means he or she is too good for you.
*I don’t recommend you say it.
When you learn languages, it’s important to understand the word’s nuance.
When I teach Japanese, I’ll teach you situations when we use the words.
If you’re interested in learning Japanese, please feel free to contact me.
↓You can also learn Japanese on my Instagram.