Sage-Tips

What does Sona mean in Japanese?

“Sonna” is often used when describing something with a negative or unfavorable nuance, similar to the expression “I would never do something like that“.

How do you respond to a compliment in Japanese?

According to the common logic of Japanese etiquette, when someone pays you a compliment the best response is to say “Sonna koto arimasen.” If you’ve ever read even the first page of a Japanese phrase book, though, you’ll notice that this is very different from the standard way to say thank you, arigatou gozaimasu.

Is Nihongo Jouzu an insult?

“Nihongo jouzu desu ne?” roughly means “you speak Japanese well,” so it’s generally said to people who are noticeably second-language speakers of Japanese. Though it’s technically compliment, it can feel backhanded or patronizing since it implies you don’t sound fluent.

How do you respond when someone compliments you in Japanese?

You may have heard there’s only one proper phrase to use, but that’s not true. According to the common logic of Japanese etiquette, when someone pays you a compliment the best response is to say “Sonna koto arimasen.”

What are some of the best compliments in Japan?

I agree that in Japan, the best compliments are often the ones not being said to you. However, there is at least one compliment that is if being said to you by a Japanese is more likely a genuine compliment and not just out of politeness. “You are like a Japanese” (no not about your physical appearance).

What does sonna koto arimasen mean in Japanese?

That’s because sonna koto arimasen doesn’t mean “Thank you,” it means “That’s not true,” or “Not at all.” Humility has always been seen as a virtue in Japanese society, and so classical manners dictate that praise is something to be deflected, lest you look prideful or overly keen to fish for compliments.

How do you respond to thank you in Japanese?

There are many ways to respond to the word “thank you” in Japanese. The standard reply is “どう致しまして” (dou itashimasite), a formal way to reply to “arigatou gozaimasu” or “ doumo arigatou gozaimashita.” Even a simple ” いいえ” (iie) which usually means “no” can be used.