拙い日本語
tsutanai nihongo
The English phrase "broken Japanese" is translated into Japanese as 拙い日本語 (tsutanai nihongo).
This phrase is used to describe Japanese that is spoken or written with many mistakes by someone who is not a fluent speaker.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using 拙い日本語 is a humble and polite way for a non-native speaker to describe their own limited proficiency.
How do you pronounce it?
tsutanai nihongo
Did you know?
- In casual settings, Japanese people might instead use the word カタコト to describe 'broken' speech, which is an onomatopoeia mimicking the stilted, fragmented sound of a non-native speaker.
- In certain highly formal business settings, a native speaker might actually use the phrase 拙い to describe their own speech to avoid appearing arrogant. It is a way to signal that they are still striving for perfection.
- The word 拙い (tsutanai) originally comes from a verb meaning 'to be clumsy' or 'to be awkward' in physical movement. In modern Japanese, it has evolved to describe lack of skill in abstract things like speech or writing.
Examples in context
- 私の拙い日本語を理解してくれてありがとう。Watashi no tsutanai nihongo o rikai shite kurete arigatou.Thank you for understanding my broken Japanese.
- 彼は拙い日本語で一生懸命話している。Kare wa tsutanai nihongo de isshoukenmei hanashite iru.He is speaking hard with his broken Japanese.
Example conversation
A foreign student is introducing himself to a classmate.
- 蓮 Ren拙い日本語ですが、よろしくお願いします。Tsutanai nihongo desu ga, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.My Japanese is broken, but please be kind to me.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫ですよ。とても上手です！Daijoubu desu yo. Totemo jouzu desu!It's okay. You are very good!
- 蓮 Ren本当ですか？嬉しいです。Hontou desu ka? Ureshii desu.Really? I'm happy to hear that.
- 結衣 Yuiもっと練習すれば、さらに良くなりますよ。Motto renshuu sureba, sarani yoku narimasu yo.If you practice more, it will get even better.
