Kerenmi (けれん味)

Jun 2, 2017 07:52
How many compliments do you have?

Of course, I think that there are various types of compliments in every language.

Today I'd like to introduce Japanese one of them, "kerenmi ga nai" (けれん味がない), which is high-toned and is difficult to use even for us.

"Kerenmi" comes from a Kabuki term, and it means to call a bluff or to play dumb.

Therefore, "kerenmi ga nai" (there is no 'kerenmi') means that there is no pretense, bluff, and lie -- that refers to sincerity.

Basically this term is used as a compliment, but note that it could be used with a negative connotation, for example in the media world where bluffs and lies are needed.
けれん味

皆さんは、人を褒めるときの言葉のバリエーションをどれくらい持っているでしょうか?

当然、あらゆる言語でさまざまな形の褒め言葉があると思います。

今日は、そんな中から日本人でもなかなか使えない、少し格調の高い日本語の褒め言葉「けれん味がない」を紹介します。

「けれん味」は歌舞伎用語に由来し、はったりをきかせたり、ごまかしたりすることを意味します。

すなわち、「けれん味がない」とは、人からよく見られようとするわざとらしさや、はったり、ごまかしがないことを意味します。

基本的には褒め言葉として使われますが、はったりやごまかしが必要なメディア業界などでは、悪い意味で使われることもあることに注意して下さい。
No. 1 Bori's correction
  • Kerenmi (けれん味)
  • Kerenmi (けれん味)
  • How many compliments do you have?
  • How many compliments have you gotten/received?
  • Of course, I think that there are various types of compliments in every language.
  • Of course, I think that there are various/many types of compliments in every language.
  • Today I'd like to introduce Japanese one of them, "kerenmi ga nai" (けれん味がない), which is high-toned and is difficult to use even for us.
  • Today, I'd like to introduce one we use in Japanese, "kerenmi ga nai" (けれん味がない), which is somewhat high class and is difficult to use even for us.
  • "Kerenmi" comes from a Kabuki term, and it means to call a bluff or to play dumb.
  • "Kerenmi" comes from Kabuki, it means to call a bluff or to play dumb.
  • Therefore, "kerenmi ga nai" (there is no 'kerenmi') means that there is no pretense, bluff, and lie -- that refers to sincerity.
  • Therefore, "kerenmi ga nai" (there is no 'kerenmi') means that there is no pretense, bluff, and/or lie -- which refers to being sincere.
  • Basically this term is used as a compliment, but note that it could be used with a negative connotation, for example in the media world where bluffs and lies are needed.
  • Basically this term is used as a compliment, but note that it could be used in a negative connotation, for example in the world of media where bluffs and lies are needed.
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post! :)
No. 2 Dave's correction
  • Today I'd like to introduce Japanese one of them, "kerenmi ga nai" (けれん味がない), which is high-toned and is difficult to use even for us.
  • Today I'd like to introduce Japanese one of them, "kerenmi ga nai" (けれん味がない), which is (somewhat?) high-toned and is difficult to use even for us.
     high-toned --> (somewhat?) high-toned - I only did this based on Bori's correction. I did a google translate and it didn't have anything related to this part of your sentence.

    I like the sound of your original "high-toned" over "high class" . They are close in meaning but have, to me, a bit of a difference in emphasis. I haven't a clue what your intention is though.
  • Basically this term is used as a compliment, but note that it could be used with a negative connotation, for example in the media world where bluffs and lies are needed.
  • Basically this term is used as a compliment, but note that it could be used with a negative connotation, for example in the media world where bluffs and lies are needed.
     I like your original. To my ear "media world" sounds more natural than "world of media" but that is a good option too.
I liked Bori's suggestion too.
Toru
Thank you so much always for correcting my post! :)

> high-toned...
This part is related to "格調の高い" (or 格調が高い). I think that I can use "graceful" or "elegant" instead of "high-toned."
Dave
Both of your alternatives have a visual/emotional feeling that high-toned doesn't. For what it's work I like them.
Dave
By the way (btw), as another example of the type of word choices you make your English is probably richer than 90%+ of natural English speakers. Probably even higher than that.
Toru
Oh, I'm really glad to hear you say that, thank you (^^)
BACK