Tips for Avoiding Awkward Expressions

Table of Contents

1. Tips for Avoiding Awkward Expressions
2. 泳およぎしましょう
3. 頭痛ずつうが痛いたい
4. コーヒーを作つくる
5. 雨あめが降ふり終おわる
6. Summary
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Tips for Avoiding Awkward Expressions

We’ve received several questions from learners asking, “Why can’t we use expressions like ○○?”

Every language has expressions and idioms that are fixed or restricted by specific word combinations, and Japanese is no exception. Using these expressions incorrectly can sometimes sound unnatural.

To avoid this awkwardness, let’s explore together how to use natural Japanese expressions correctly.

泳およぎしましょう

Question: “泳およぎ” is a noun, so why can’t we say “泳およぎ する” or “泳およぎしましょう”?

“First, let’s consider nouns that can be paired with “する”. For example, “宿題しゅくだい” (homework), “勉強べんきょう” (study), “テニス” (tennis), “花見はなみ” (flower viewing), and “運動うんどう” (exercise) represent actions. Since these nouns alone cannot function as verbs, the verb 「する」 needs to be added.

On the other hand, “泳およぎ” comes from the verb “泳およぐ”. Because “泳およぐ” is already a complete verb, expressions like “泳およぐ” or “泳およぎましょう” are the correct and natural forms to use.

頭痛ずつうが痛いたい

Question: Why is it incorrect to repeat words with the same meaning, like in ”頭痛ずつうが痛いたい”, but acceptable in phrases like ”歌うたを歌うたう” or ”踊おどりを踊おどる”?

This is because ”頭痛ずつう” (headache) already contains the meaning of ”頭あたまが痛いたい” (head hurts), so saying ”頭あたまが痛いたいが痛いたい” (head hurts hurts) becomes redundant. Therefore, the correct expression is ”頭痛ずつうがする” (to have a headache).

On the other hand, ”歌うた” (song) and ”踊おどり” (dance) are nouns and do not carry a verb-like meaning by themselves. Because of this, you need to pair ”歌うた” with verbs like ”聞きく” (to listen), ”歌うたう” (to sing), or ”まねする” (to copy). In phrases like ”歌うたう” (to sing) or ”踊おどる” (to dance), the noun and verb share the same kanji, but the meaning is not duplicated.

コーヒーを作つくる

Question: Why can’t you say “コーヒーを作つくる” in Japanese?

The Japanese word “作つくる” (to make) means “to use materials, ingredients, or raw substances and apply effort to create something tangible.”

For example, when referring to a beverage similar to coffee, you can say “酒さけを造つくる” (to brew sake). This phrase expresses the idea of transforming ingredients through a process to produce sake. Therefore, saying “コーヒーを作つくる” (to make coffee) creates a mismatch in meaning.

In Japanese, the appropriate term is not “作つくる” but “いれる（淹いれる）” (to make). The phrase “お茶ちゃをいれる” (to make tea) already exists, where “いれる” means “to pour hot water over tea leaves to make tea.” While coffee doesn’t involve tea leaves, the process of pouring hot water to prepare it is similar. For this reason, “コーヒーをいれる” (to make coffee) is the more natural expression.

雨あめが降ふり終おわる

Question: Why is “雨あめが降ふり終おわる” incorrect?

The structure “verb stem + 終おわる” means “a continuous action that has a clear beginning and end comes to a finish.”

For example, in the phrase “ご飯はんを食たべ終おわる” (to finish eating a meal), the action “食たべる” (to eat) has a beginning and an end, and this act can be controlled by a person’s will.

However, when it comes to rain, people cannot control when it starts or stops.

Therefore, instead of using “終おわる,” the verb “止やむ” (to stop) is appropriate to describe a natural phenomenon temporarily ceasing.

The phrase “雨あめが降り止ふ　やむ” (the rain stops) is commonly used as a natural expression.

Summary

How was this for you? Languages are filled with expressions and idioms that have become fixed, making them difficult to alter. Japanese is no exception, with its own unique rules and usage patterns for natural expressions.

If you ever wonder, “Is this expression correct?” or feel unsure about certain phrases in Japanese, please share them in the comments below! Let’s learn together by sharing our questions and mastering more natural Japanese.

Similar Articles

Comment for any questions!