Following last week’s lesson, here is another lesson with movie dialogues. If you recognize the scenes from the lines, you must be a movie junkie!
* Sukatto shita zo! (That hit the spot!) – Pulp Fiction
“Sukatto” is one of the onomatopoeic expressions. It describes elevated mood after solving a problem or nuisance. It also expresses “feeling satisfied” or “feeling refreshed”. Long ago, Coca-Cola created the phrase “Sukatto sawayaka koka-koora” to advertise the product, which meant “total refreshment.” The phrase became popular, and a part of the language in Japan as representing Coca-Cola. “~ zo” is a sentence-ending particle, and is used to emphasize. It is mainly used in male speech.
* Donna koto ga attemo hanarenai wa. (I am with you no matter what.) – Rocky IV
“Hanarenai” is a negative form of the verb “hanareru (to separate)”. “~ wa” is a sentence-ending particle. It is used only by women (This line was by Talia Shire), and expresses the speaker’s volition or intimacy.
* Yoku aru koto yo. Ki ni shinaide. (It happens. Take it easy.) – Scream
“Yoku aru koto” means, “things often happen”. “~ yo” is a sentence-ending particle, and expresses the speaker’s emotion or strong feelings. “Ki ni shinai” is negative form of the phrase “ki ni suru (to worry, to be nervous)”.
* Wakatta. (Got it.) – Sixth Sense
“Wakatta” is informal past tense of the verb “wakaru (to understand)”. With rising intonation, it can be used as a question in informal speech (“You got it?”).
* Ii zo! (Way to go!) – Speed
“Ii” is an adjective, and means “good”. “~ zo” is a sentence-ending particle, and is used for emphasis, mainly by men.
* Yamete! (Cut it out!) – Star Wars: Return of Jedi
“Yamete” is the ~ te form of the verb “yameru (to stop)”. The ~ te form can be used for a request in informal speech. This form is often used by female speakers.
* Akirameru na. (Never let go.) – Titanic
“Akirameru” is the verb “to give up”. “~ na” is informal negative imperative used only by men (This line was by Leonard Dicaprio). Female speakers normally say “akiramenaide” with using the negative form of the verb.
* Suppokashi? (He stood you up?) – You’ve Got Mail
“Suppokashi” is the noun form of the verb “suppokasu (to neglect, to let somebody down)”. “Machibouke” is another word to express “to stand somebody up”.
* Mou iya da. (I’m sick and tired of it.) – Zero Effect
“Iyana” is an adjective, and means “unpleasant, nasty, or to get tired of”. “Mou” means, “any more, any longer”.
* Wakaru n da. (I can feel it.) – 2001: A Space Odyssey
“Wakaru” is the verb “to understand”. “~ n da” is a simple sentence-ending phrase, and has an explanatory or confirmatory function. Since there is no English equivalent, it often isn’t translated.
Choose the appropriate English translation. The answers are below.
| (1) Iyoiyo da. | (2) Yarisugi kana. |
| (3) Owatta. | (4) Ki o tsukero! |
| (5) Ogori da. | (6) Shikata ga nai. |
| (7) Tsuini kita wa. | (8) Hazukashikunai no. |
| (9) Iisugita wa. | (10) Yatte kureru ka. |
| (11) Sukatto shita zo! | (12) Donna koto ga attemo hanarenai wa. |
| (13) Yoku aru koto yo. Ki ni shinaide. | (14) Wakatta. |
| (15) Ii zo! | (16) Yamete! |
| (17) Akirameru na. | (18) Suppokashi? |
| (19) Mou iya da. | (20) Wakaru n da. |
Translations
| (a) Are you game? | (b) Was that over the top? |
| (c) I’m sick and tired of it. | (d) I am with you no matter what. |
| (e) Watch out! | (f) I can’t help it. |
| (g) I can feel it. | (h) Cut it out! |
| (i) I was out of line. | (j) He stood you up? |
| (k) That hit the spot! | (l) I’m through. |
| (m) The drinks are on the house. | (n) I made it. |
| (o) This is it. | (p) It happens. Take it easy. |
| (q) Way to go! | (r) Never let go. |
| (s) Got it. | (t) Shame on you! |
The Answers
| (1) – (o) | (2) – (b) | (3) – (l) | (4) – (e) |
| (5) – (m) | (6) – (f) | (7) – (n) | (8) – (t) |
| (9) – (i) | (10) – (a) | (11)- (k) | (12)- (d) |
| (13) – (p) | (14) – (s) | (15) – (q) | (16) – (h) |
| (17) – (r) | (18) – (j) | (19) – (c) | (20) – (g) |
