LearnWithSubs

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 (page 2/2)

Scenes on this page

  1. The accent of "panee"

    Scene 31 · 0:21

    Expressions: パネェ, 聞いてきたわよ

  2. Why not learn from your daughter?

    Scene 32 · 0:14

    Expressions: 頼まれた, 見習う

  3. Is this job more important than family?

    Scene 33 · 0:35

    Expressions: 一概に〜ない, ならないと言ったら嘘になる

  4. "I intend to deal with it going forward"

    Scene 34 · 0:19

    Expressions: 善処する所存, おいそれと

  5. "I more or less get it"

    Scene 35 · 0:25

    Expressions: どうせ, 大した〜ない

  6. Didn't you say so yourself?

    Scene 36 · 0:29

    Expressions: 〜つもりになる, 奥ゆかしい

  7. "That's just an excuse"

    Scene 37 · 0:41

    Expressions: 〜に逃げる, 〜てやるんだから

  8. If it doesn't get across, it means nothing

    Scene 38 · 0:29

    Expressions: 〜ずいぶん, 〜じゃないですか

  9. Holding her back

    Scene 39 · 0:14

    Expressions: 来なさい, 〜んだって

  10. There is no "more or less" in understanding

    Scene 40 · 0:28

    Expressions: 向き合う, 〜てやるから

  11. There is no clear standard

    Scene 41 · 0:31

    Expressions: 慣れてもらわなきゃ, というのが答え

  12. The worries of Portuguese missionaries

    Scene 42 · 0:30

    Expressions: 半濁音, 悩んでた

  13. The same "ha": read as ha or pa?

    Scene 43 · 0:24

    Expressions: あっぱれ, 読み分け

  14. "We can't do it by feel!"

    Scene 44 · 0:22

    Expressions: 〜わけよ, 〜とか言われても

  15. "Ikada" or "ikata"?

    Scene 45 · 0:31

    Expressions: 読めません, 印をつける

  16. So that circle is that mark

    Scene 46 · 0:28

    Expressions: そのまま, 〜にしました

  17. So ambiguity is bad after all?

    Scene 47 · 0:20

    Expressions: やはり／やっぱ, 〜という事ですか

  18. Welcome, Mr. Takasu!

    Scene 48 · 0:23

    Expressions: 教えてもらいましょう, ようこそ

  19. Making everything clear isn't always good

    Scene 49 · 0:23

    Expressions: この際, 〜んじゃない

  20. The spirit of "wa": why Japanese is vague

    Scene 50 · 0:27

    Expressions: 和の心, 〜からといって

  21. The missionaries did not give up

    Scene 51 · 0:26

    Expressions: 〜んだろうなぁ, 一心で

  22. Haruko's credit gets taken

    Scene 52 · 0:28

    Expressions: さすが, 〜んだからね

  23. "The one who was abandoned was Dad"

    Scene 53 · 0:27

    Expressions: 〜ておきたい, 捨てられた

  24. "I was the one who abandoned my family"

    Scene 54 · 0:37

    Expressions: 愛想をつかされる, つもりになってた

  25. "Forget you? Never once"

    Scene 55 · 0:24

    Expressions: 忘れたことは一度もない, 〜かも

  26. "Kamo" is almost a definite yes

    Scene 56 · 0:26

    Expressions: かも（断定）, 決心がつく

  27. The new dad is a New York businessman

    Scene 57 · 0:16

    Expressions: 何者, 〜のよ／〜なの

  28. Well, at least things are clear

    Scene 58 · 0:36

    Expressions: 〜ことが出来た, ある意味

  29. "Thanks, Charisma"

    Scene 59 · 0:31

    Expressions: ありがとな, 言わなきゃ伝わらない

  30. "Come to the tea room at my house"

    Scene 60 · 0:38

    Expressions: 大丈夫（不用）, お茶を濁す

  31. "Kekkou da" meant no

    Scene 61 · 0:29

    Expressions: 結構だ（伏笔回收）, ビシビシ

  32. "Japanese is too ambiguous!"

    Scene 62 · 0:07

    Expressions: 〜すぎ, 「マジウケる」 (ironic)

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All scenes

The accent of "panee"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 The accent of "panee" still

In a corner of the classroom, the students practice the accent of the youth slang 「パネェ」.
  1. ボブ

    Not half-hearted, but "hanpanee", "panee"...

  2. ボブ

    Hm? Is the accent at the back? Panee, panee!

  3. ハルコ

    Hey! Hm!... Oh, it's you.

  4. ハルコ

    I asked her. How Ayaka feels. Really?! Hey! Tell me.

Speaking notes

パネェ

パネェ = short for 「半端ない」

「パネェ」 = a shortening of 「半端（はんぱ）ない」 ("incredible"), young people's slang. • 「ハンパない」 literally "not half-hearted" = extremely impressive
「ハンパネェ→パネェ」 shows how words get clipped step by step: literally "not partway, not half-baked" turns into high praise meaning "super".
Bob is studying its accent (head-high or tail-high?).

聞いてきたわよ

〜てくる = go and ... and come back

「聞いてきたわよ」 = "I went and asked." 「Vてくる」 means "do something and come back":
• 「買ってくる」 go and buy / 「見てくる」 go and take a look
Haruko uses 「〜わよ」 (feminine ending) in a tone of "reporting the task done".
Takasu's 「教えてくれよ」 uses 「くれる」 to frame the request as "do me a favor".

Key vocabulary

半端 はんぱ
half-hearted.
パネェ
(slang) incredible (「半端ない」).
後ろ うしろ
behind, the back.
気持ち きもち
feelings.
教える おしえる
to tell, to teach.

↑ Scenes on this page

Why not learn from your daughter?

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Why not learn from your daughter? still

Takasu is furious and complains that Haruko told Ayaka he was the one who asked. Haruko says he should learn a thing or two from his daughter.
  1. 鷹栖

    You! I told you to find out without saying I'd asked you!

  2. ハルコ

    Why don't you learn a little from your daughter?

  3. ハルコ

    Ayaka came here because she wants to talk with you.

Speaking notes

頼まれた

頼まれる = to be asked, passive

「俺から頼まれたって」 = "that you were asked by me." The passive of 「頼む」, with 「から」 marking the source of the request.
「つったろ」 = a contraction of 「と言ったろう」, rough speech.

見習う

見習う = to follow someone's example

「見習（みなら）う」 = to learn by taking someone as a model. • 「先輩を見習う」 follow the example of a senior
Note that 「〜ね」 and 「〜のよ」 are feminine endings.

Key vocabulary

見習う みならう
to follow someone's example.
聞き出す ききだす
to find out by asking.
娘 むすめ
daughter.
話 はなし
talk.
頼まれる たのまれる
to be asked.

↑ Scenes on this page

Is this job more important than family?

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Is this job more important than family? still

Ayaka says she wanted to see Takasu's work no matter what, since he left her and her mother for this job.
  1. アヤカ

    I just had to see it. Your job. Why?

  2. アヤカ

    Because you abandoned us for this job, didn't you?

  3. 鷹栖

    Huh? No... it's not necessarily like that...

  4. アヤカ

    You left us alone for ten years, and it never bothered you?

  5. 鷹栖

    If you ask whether it bothered me or not, I'd be lying if I said it didn't...

  6. アヤカ

    What is this job anyway? Is it more important than family?

  7. アヤカ

    Answer me.

Speaking notes

一概に〜ない

一概に〜ない = not necessarily, can't generalize

「一概（いちがい）にそういうことではなく」 = "It's not necessarily so." 「一概に〜ない」 negates an absolute claim and is used for a gentle rebuttal:
• 「一概に悪いとは言えない」 You can't say it's bad across the board
Takasu uses this written-style phrase to turn an admission of fact into a vague stance.

ならないと言ったら嘘になる

〜と言ったら嘘になる = I'd be lying if I said ...

「ならないと言ったら嘘になる」 = "I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me." This is a roundabout double negative whose real meaning is "it does bother me".
• 「寂しくないと言えば嘘になる」 I'd be lying if I said I wasn't lonely
Takasu goes through two detours before admitting that it bothers him.

Key vocabulary

捨てる すてる
to abandon.
一概に いちがいに
across the board.
嘘 うそ
lie.
大事 だいじ
important.
ほっとく
to leave alone.

↑ Scenes on this page

"I intend to deal with it going forward"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "I intend to deal with it going forward" still

Pressed by his daughter, Takasu hedges, saying this is not a question he can answer so easily.
  1. 鷹栖

    Hmm... regarding that sort of matter...

  2. 鷹栖

    it is not the kind of question one can readily answer...

  3. 鷹栖

    I do intend to handle it appropriately going forward, however...

  4. アヤカ

    Ugh, seriously! Why are you so vague?! This is so irritating. Forget it.

Speaking notes

善処する所存

善処する所存 = (official) I intend to handle it properly

「善処（ぜんしょ）する」 (official and political language) = to take appropriate measures; 「所存（しょぞん）」 (written style) = intention, thought.
• 「善処いたします」 We will deal with it appropriately (often a polite way of saying "we won't really do anything")
• 「〜する所存です」 I intend to ...
Takasu answers his daughter in the language of bureaucrats and politicians, the ultimate in Japanese ambiguity: sincere on the surface, with no actual commitment.

おいそれと

おいそれと = easily (used with negatives)

「おいそれと〜ない」 = cannot readily ... • 「おいそれとは答えられない」 I can't answer that so lightly
This is an adverb that goes only with negatives, with a strongly written feel.
Takasu dodges the question by stacking up formal phrases.
「〜わね」 = a feminine sentence-ending particle.

Key vocabulary

善処 ぜんしょ
to deal with appropriately.
所存 しょぞん
intention (written style).
おいそれと
readily, easily.
曖昧 あいまい
vague.
イライラ
irritated.

↑ Scenes on this page

"I more or less get it"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "I more or less get it" still

Ayaka turns to leave. Haruko asks where she's going, saying she hasn't seen what Takasu's job is. Ayaka says she doesn't need to, as she more or less understands.
  1. ハルコ

    Where are you going? You haven't seen what kind of work he does yet, have you?

  2. ハルコ

    Isn't that what you came for? It's fine! I more or less get it.

  3. ハルコ

    What do you mean, "I more or less get it"?

  4. アヤカ

    That answer was enough.

  5. アヤカ

    If he can't say it clearly...

  6. アヤカ

    ...then it obviously isn't an important job anyway.

  7. アヤカ

    We... were abandoned for something like that.

Speaking notes

どうせ

どうせ = anyway (with a negative feeling)

「どうせ〜じゃない」 = "it's just ... anyway." 「どうせ」 carries a tone of resignation, self-deprecation or contempt:
• 「どうせ私なんか」 well, someone like me, anyway
Ayaka reads her father's silence with 「どうせ」 as "his job isn't worth mentioning".

大した〜ない

大した + negative = nothing special

「大（たい）した仕事じゃない」 = "not a great job." 「大した」 followed by a negative means "nothing much":
• 「大したことない」 it's no big deal
「〜ってことじゃない」 = "that means ..., doesn't it?" (a conclusion drawn in anger).
Ayaka makes an inference, taking ambiguity as tacit admission.

Key vocabulary

十分 じゅうぶん
enough.
どうせ
anyway.
大した たいした
great, significant.
だいたい
more or less.
捨てられる すてられる
to be abandoned.

↑ Scenes on this page

Didn't you say so yourself?

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Didn't you say so yourself? still

Ayaka says 「マジウケる」 and turns to leave, and Haruko tells her to stop.
  1. アヤカ

    Maji ukeru.

  2. ハルコ

    Wait!!

  3. ハルコ

    When someone tells you "I more or less get it"...

  4. ハルコ

    ...why don't you say something like "Don't underestimate a Japanese teacher"?

  5. ハルコ

    You always say that to me.

  6. ハルコ

    What's the point of you both thinking you understood each other?

  7. ハルコ

    Is this the subtle communication of the Japanese that you were talking about?

Speaking notes

〜つもりになる

〜つもりになる = to think one has ... (but hasn't)

「わかったつもりになって」 = "thinking you understood." 「Vた＋つもり」 means "subjectively believing that one has ..., when in fact that's not so":
• 「わかったつもり」 thinking one understands

奥ゆかしい

奥ゆかしい = reserved and refined

「奥（おく）ゆかしい」 = reserved yet graceful, making you want to know more. It is generally a compliment, praising someone who is modest and has depth:
• 「奥ゆかしい人」 a modest, cultured person
Haruko uses it ironically, asking "is this your so-called subtle beauty?".
「ナメんな」 = 「なめるな」, rough speech: "don't underestimate me".

Key vocabulary

奥ゆかしい おくゆかしい
reserved and refined.
ナメる
to underestimate.
お互い おたがい
each other.
つもり
to think, to believe; to intend.
コミュニケーション
communication.

↑ Scenes on this page

"That's just an excuse"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "That's just an excuse" still

Left speechless by Haruko's shouting, Takasu asks her whether it would have been right to say that his work mattered more to him than his family. Haruko says that is just an excuse.
  1. 鷹栖

    So should I have said I valued my own work more than my family...?

  2. 鷹栖

    Was that what I should have said?

  3. 鷹栖

    Didn't I tell you? There are times when not being clear is better.

  4. ハルコ

    That's nothing but an excuse.

  5. ハルコ

    You don't even try to convey your feelings...

  6. ハルコ

    ...you're just running away into the vagueness of Japanese!

  7. 鷹栖

    Anyway, don't get involved anymore. That's enough.

  8. ハルコ

    I'm absolutely going to make it clear!

Speaking notes

〜に逃げる

〜に逃げる = to escape into ...

「日本語の曖昧さに逃げてる」 = "hiding in the vagueness of Japanese to escape." 「Nに逃げる」 means "to use N as a refuge to run away to":
• 「仕事に逃げる」 to bury oneself in work as an escape
With this line Haruko criticizes Takasu for using a cultural trait as an excuse.

〜てやるんだから

〜てやる = I'll make sure to ... (strong resolve)

[Giving and receiving verbs] 「はっきりさせてやるんだから！」 = "I'm going to get this cleared up, no matter what!" 「〜てやる」 means "I do something for or to you, with force" and often has a tone of challenge, defiance or payback:
• 「見てろよ、やってやる」 Just watch, I'll show you
Haruko uses 「やる」 rather than 「あげる」 because she is not helping out of kindness but is going to force this person out into the open.
The ending 「んだから」 means "I mean what I say, so you just wait".

Key vocabulary

言い訳 いいわけ
excuse.
逃げる にげる
to run away, to escape.
関わる かかわる
to get involved, to interfere.
これ以上 これいじょう
any more.
結構 けっこう
fine; that's enough.

↑ Scenes on this page

If it doesn't get across, it means nothing

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 If it doesn't get across, it means nothing still

In the staff room, Haruko complains to Katori about why Japanese has so many ambiguous expressions. Katori says she is working hard, and Haruko says she is getting irritated.
  1. 鹿取

    You're working quite hard.

  2. ハルコ

    Ugh! I'm getting irritated.

  3. ハルコ

    Why does Japanese have so many vague expressions like this?

  4. 鹿取

    That's because...

  5. 鹿取

    even when you care about the other person...

  6. 鹿取

    there are things you can't say clearly, aren't there?

  7. ハルコ

    But if your feelings don't get across, it's meaningless.

  8. 鹿取

    That's right. After all.

Speaking notes

〜ずいぶん

ずいぶん = quite, considerably

「ずいぶん頑張ってますね」 = "You're working quite hard." 「ずいぶん」 means "to a surprisingly high degree":
• 「ずいぶん大きくなったね」 You've grown so big!

〜じゃないですか

〜じゃないですか = isn't it ...? (seeking agreement)

「あるじゃないですか」 = "There are such things, aren't there? (You know that too.)" 「〜じゃないですか」 is used to ask the listener to agree with your view:
• 「そういうこと、ありますよね」
Katori uses polite form plus 「じゃないですか」 as a gentle persuasion.
Haruko's 「意味ないじゃん」 is the colloquial version of the same pattern (〜じゃん), but in the tone of a rebuttal.

Key vocabulary

頑張る がんばる
to try hard, to work hard.
伝わる つたわる
to get across.
イライラ
irritated.
思う おもう
to think of, to care about.
やっぱり
after all.

↑ Scenes on this page

Holding her back

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Holding her back still

Ayaka tries to leave and Haruko grabs her. Ayaka struggles, telling her to let go, saying she has had enough.
  1. アヤカ

    Hey... Never mind, come here!

  2. アヤカ

    Let go of me! If it stays like this, there's no point in you coming here.

  3. アヤカ

    I said that's enough!

  4. アヤカ

    Because I more or less get it.

Speaking notes

来なさい

Vなさい = (gentle) command

「来（き）なさい」 = "Come here." 「Vます-stem＋なさい」 is a gentle command from a teacher or elder to someone younger:
• 「早く寝なさい」 Go to bed quickly

〜んだって

〜んだって = I said ... (emphasis)

「もういいんだって！」 = "I'm telling you, that's enough!" The final 「〜って」 here repeats and stresses what the speaker has already said (impatience):
• 「だから、行かないんだって」 Like I said, I'm not going
Ayaka's 「もういい」 here is a refusal, not "it's fine".

Key vocabulary

離す はなす
to let go.
意味 いみ
meaning, point.
もういい
enough; never mind.
だいたい
more or less.
今のまま いまのまま
as it is.

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There is no "more or less" in understanding

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 There is no "more or less" in understanding still

Haruko tells Ayaka seriously that there is no such thing as understanding "more or less", and that if she goes on like this she will be the same as him.
  1. ハルコ

    There's no "more or less" in "I understand".

  2. ハルコ

    If you go on like this, you'll end up just like him.

  3. ハルコ

    You're just running away from something you ought to face.

  4. ハルコ

    Instead of thinking you understand, why not try facing it?

  5. ハルコ

    I'll give you a detention class covering ten years, just for you.

  6. アヤカ

    A class?

  7. ハルコ

    Hurry up!

Speaking notes

向き合う

向き合う = to face squarely

「向き合う」 = to face each other; to face (a problem, a person) squarely. • 「問題に向き合う」 to face a problem
「向き合う」 means not avoiding and not fudging.

〜てやるから

〜てやるから = I'll do ... for you (forceful kindness)

[Giving and receiving verbs] 「居残り授業してやるから」 = "I'll give you a detention class." 「〜てやる」 is used for "I'm doing this for you on my own initiative, but in a commanding tone":
• 「教えてやる」 I'll teach you (looking down on the person)
By using 「やる」 instead of 「あげる」, Haruko shows that this is not a polite favor but a kindness that drags the person along, in the manner of a big sister or a teacher.
「居残り」 = staying behind after school for extra lessons, or staying late at work.

Key vocabulary

向き合う むきあう
to face.
居残り いのこり
to stay behind (for extra lessons).
逃げる にげる
to run away.
あいつ
that guy.
一緒 いっしょ
the same.

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There is no clear standard

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 There is no clear standard still

Haruko begins her lecture on the question the students asked most: whether there is a clear standard for Japanese ambiguous expressions.
  1. ハルコ

    All right, let's begin.

  2. ハルコ

    Um, the question you all asked most often...

  3. ハルコ

    ...is about the answer for ambiguous expressions in Japanese.

  4. ハルコ

    The answer is: "There is no clear standard!" What~?!

  5. ハルコ

    So there's nothing for it but for you to get used to it.

  6. ボブ

    What is that?! Are you kidding me? That's right!

Speaking notes

慣れてもらわなきゃ

〜てもらう = I need you to ...

[Giving and receiving verbs] 「慣れてもらわなきゃ」 = "You'll have to get used to it." 「〜てもらう」 frames "getting used to it" as something you do for me (the teacher), in a tone that is indirect but leaves no room for negotiation:
• It is gentler than 「慣れなさい」, but implies "this is something you must do"
By using 「もらう」, Haruko keeps the stance "I can't force you, but please cooperate".

というのが答え

〜というのが答え = the answer is ...

「『明確な基準はない』というのが答えよ」 = "The answer is: there is no clear standard." 「〜という」 introduces the content.
「ふざけんなよ」 = 「ふざけるな」, rough speech.

Key vocabulary

明確 めいかく
clear.
基準 きじゅん
standard.
慣れる なれる
to get used to.
ふざける
to joke around, to mess about.
仕方ない しかたない
can't be helped.

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The worries of Portuguese missionaries

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 The worries of Portuguese missionaries still

Haruko tells the students that long ago there were people who struggled with the same thing, and talks about the Portuguese missionaries who came to Japan in the sixteenth century.
  1. ハルコ

    All right, all right! I understand how you feel.

  2. ハルコ

    Actually, long ago there were people who struggled just like you. Who?

  3. ハルコ

    The Portuguese missionaries who came to Japan around the sixteenth century. Huh?

  4. ハルコ

    They were troubled by the pronunciation of "pa pi pu pe po".

  5. ジャック

    The semi-voiced sounds? Yes! Originally...

  6. ハルコ

    the circle mark of the semi-voiced sounds was something that didn't exist in Japan.

Speaking notes

半濁音

半濁音 = semi-voiced sounds (ぱぴぷぺぽ)

「半濁音（はんだくおん）」 = the sounds written by adding 「゜」 to the upper right of a kana in the は-row: ぱ, ぴ, ぷ, ぺ, ぽ.
• 清音 (は) / 濁音 (ば) / 半濁音 (ぱ)

悩んでた

悩んでた = was troubled

「悩んでた」 = a colloquial contraction of 「悩んでいた」. The past of 「Vている」 expresses a continuing state of worry.

Key vocabulary

宣教師 せんきょうし
missionary.
半濁音 はんだくおん
semi-voiced sound (ぱぴぷぺぽ).
発音 はつおん
pronunciation.
悩む なやむ
to worry, to be troubled.
実は じつは
actually.

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The same "ha": read as ha or pa?

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 The same "ha": read as ha or pa? still

Haruko writes 「はれ」 and 「あっぱれ」 on the board and has the students read them.
  1. ハルコ

    How do you read this?

  2. ボブ

    It's "hare".

  3. ハルコ

    Then how do you read this? "Appare".

  4. ハルコ

    It's the same "ha", yet sometimes it's read "ha" and sometimes "pa"!

  5. ジャック

    How do you tell which way to read it?

  6. ハルコ

    It's just... a feel, you could say?

  7. ボブ

    A feel~?!

Speaking notes

あっぱれ

あっぱれ = Bravo! Well done!

「あっぱれ（天晴れ）」 = (exclamation) Excellent! Worthy of praise! • 「あっぱれな働き」 a splendid performance
Haruko sets the contrast 「晴れ（はれ）／あっぱれ」 to show that kana pronunciation in Japanese doesn't follow a one-to-one rule.

読み分け

読み分け = reading differently depending on the case

「読み分け」 = reading differently depending on the case. 「Vstem＋分け」 = doing something separately according to differences:
• 「使い分け」 using differently / 「聞き分け」 telling apart by ear

Key vocabulary

読み分け よみわけ
reading differently depending on the case.
感覚 かんかく
feel, sense.
晴れ はれ
fine weather.
あっぱれ
splendid, bravo.
同じ おなじ
the same.

↑ Scenes on this page

"We can't do it by feel!"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "We can't do it by feel!" still

Haruko says the Japanese of that time also decided how to read things from context. The students protest that they can't do things by feel.
  1. ハルコ

    The Japanese back then also decided how to read it based on context.

  2. ボブ

    Even if you say it's decided by feel, we can't do that!

  3. ボブ

    Please do something! Please do something about it!

  4. ハルコ

    All right, all right, quiet!

  5. ハルコ

    So, what do you think the Portuguese did?

Speaking notes

〜わけよ

〜わけ = (explaining) so it is that ...

「決めてたわけよ」 = "That's how they decided it, you see." 「〜わけ」 is used to explain a reason or a situation:
• 「だから、そういうわけなの」 So that's how it is
With 「わけよ」, Haruko speaks in a teacher's manner of "let me explain it to you".

〜とか言われても

〜と言われても = even if you tell me ...

「〜とか言われても、ムリだし」 = "Even if you say that, we can't do it." 「〜と言われても」 expresses being put in a difficult position by what the other person says, or being unable to accept it:
• 「急に言われても困る」 It's hard for me if you tell me so suddenly
「とか」 is young people's colloquial way of giving an example and softening, making what is said sound less definite.

Key vocabulary

当時 とうじ
at that time.
文脈 ぶんみゃく
context.
決める きめる
to decide.
ムリ
impossible, can't do.
静かに しずかに
quiet.

↑ Scenes on this page

"Ikada" or "ikata"?

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Ikada" or "ikata"? still

Haruko writes up a word for the students to read, and Jack says he can't read it.
  1. ハルコ

    All right, how do you read this?

  2. ジャック

    Ika... what? I can't read it.

  3. ハルコ

    The correct answer is...

  4. 客

    I'd like you to make me one "ikada".

  5. 職人

    Here we go again! Not this again!

  6. 職人

    Listen, what we make isn't an "ikada".

  7. 職人

    We're an "ikata" shop! Look, take a good look at this!

  8. 職人

    Haven't I clearly put the mark that says "this is not da"?!

Speaking notes

読めません

読めません = I can't read it (potential negative)

「読めません」 = "I can't read it." The potential form 「読める」 of 「読む」 plus ません.
Jack uses the polite potential negative to say he lacks the ability, not that he doesn't want to:
• 「読みません」 = I won't read (will) / 「読めません」 = I can't read (ability)

印をつける

印をつける = to put a mark on

「印（しるし）をつける」 = to put a mark on something. • 「間違いに印をつける」 mark the mistakes
「〜だろうが」 is an angry rhetorical question: "I clearly marked it, didn't I!"

Key vocabulary

筏 いかだ
raft.
印 しるし
mark, sign.
正解 せいかい
correct answer.
作る つくる
to make.
職人 しょくにん
craftsman.

↑ Scenes on this page

So that circle is that mark

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 So that circle is that mark still

The students realize that the circle on 「ぱぴぷぺぽ」 is the very same mark.
  1. ボブ

    Ah! You're right.

  2. ジャック

    So this circle was that mark.

  3. 生徒たち

    Ah... hm?

  4. ハルコ

    So the Portuguese...

  5. ハルコ

    ...took this mark as it was and made it the symbol for the semi-voiced sounds.

  6. エレーン

    Then the circle on pa pi pu pe po was made by the Portuguese?

  7. ハルコ

    Right. They added this mark to make it clear.

Speaking notes

そのまま

そのまま = as it is, unchanged

「そのまま」 in 「そのままもらって」 = taking it as it is. 「そのまま」 means "without change":
• 「そのまま使う」 to use as it is

〜にしました

〜にする = to make it, to decide on

「記号にしました」 = "made it the symbol." 「AをBにする」 means "to turn A into B / settle on B":
• 「会議の日を月曜日にする」 to set the day of the meeting on Monday

Key vocabulary

丸 まる
circle.
記号 きごう
symbol.
ポルトガル人 ポルトガルじん
the Portuguese.
そのまま
as it is.
はっきりさせる
to make clear.

↑ Scenes on this page

So ambiguity is bad after all?

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 So ambiguity is bad after all? still

The students ask whether this means ambiguous things are bad after all. Bob says that is just what they were saying.
  1. ジャック

    Then does that mean ambiguous things are bad after all?

  2. ボブ

    That's the same as what we've been saying.

  3. ポール

    I knew it, Japanese is weird. That's right.

  4. ハルコ

    All right, all right, quiet!

  5. ハルコ

    I knew everyone would think that. So...

Speaking notes

やはり／やっぱ

やはり / やっぱ = as expected

「やはり」 = as expected; 「やっぱり／やっぱ」 = the colloquial forms. Jack uses the written-style 「やはり」 with polite 「事ですか」, in a formal tone with clear logic; Bob and Paul use 「やっぱ」 and 「じゃん」, casual speech.
These are different variants of the same word, reflecting the speakers' choice of speech style.

〜という事ですか

〜ということですか = do you mean ...?

「良くないという事ですか？」 = "Do you mean it's not good?" 「〜ということですか」 is used to confirm your understanding of what the other person said:
• 「つまり、行かないということですか？」
By using this confirming pattern, Jack checks with the other person instead of jumping to a conclusion.

Key vocabulary

やはり
as expected.
おかしい
strange.
同じ おなじ
the same.
静かに しずかに
quiet.
良くない よくない
not good.

↑ Scenes on this page

Welcome, Mr. Takasu!

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Welcome, Mr. Takasu! still

Haruko slides open the classroom door and ushers Takasu in. The startled students ask if he is a ninja.
  1. ポール

    What are you doing?! Are you a ninja?!

  2. 鷹栖

    No no no...

  3. ハルコ

    Welcome, Mr. Takasu.

  4. ハルコ

    Now then, everyone. Let's have Mr. Takasu teach us the rest.

  5. 鷹栖

    Huh?

  6. ハルコ

    There's something important about knowing Japanese, isn't there? Hey, you, just a moment...

Speaking notes

教えてもらいましょう

〜てもらいましょう = let's have him ... for us

[Giving and receiving verbs] 「教えてもらいましょう」 = "Let's have him teach us." 「〜てもらう」 means "to ask the other person to do something for me", and the beneficiary here is "us".
Note that if she had said 「教えてあげましょう」, the stance would be "he teaches you"; here it is "we are taught", which raises Takasu up.

ようこそ

ようこそ = welcome

「ようこそ」 = welcome. • 「ようこそ、日本へ」 Welcome to Japan

Key vocabulary

続き つづき
what follows, the rest.
ようこそ
welcome.
忍者 にんじゃ
ninja.
大事 だいじ
important.
さて
well then (moving to the main point).

↑ Scenes on this page

Making everything clear isn't always good

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Making everything clear isn't always good still

The students urge Takasu to take this chance to make things clear. He clears his throat and says solemnly that making everything clear is not necessarily a good thing.
  1. ボブ

    Mr. Takasu, since we're at it, make it clear for us!

  2. ポール

    That's right. Don't be vague about it!

  3. 鷹栖

    You lot...

  4. 鷹栖

    Making everything clear isn't the most important thing. Why not?!

Speaking notes

この際

この際 = now that things have come to this

「この際（さい）」 = taking this opportunity; now that it has come to this. • 「この際、はっきりさせよう」 Since we're at it, let's make it clear
The students use the masculine command tone of 「くれよ」, a variant of a request (〜てくれ = please do it for me).

〜んじゃない

〜んじゃない = it's not that ... (explanatory negation)

「大事なんじゃないぞ」 = "It's not that it's important." 「〜んじゃない」 denies an assumption: it's not what you think:
• 「悪いんじゃない、困るんだ」 It's not that it's bad, it's that it's a problem
Takasu ends with 「〜ぞ」, a masculine tone of lecturing someone younger.
[Note] This is not 「大事じゃない」 (it's not important), but means "that's not the only thing that matters".

Key vocabulary

この際 このさい
now that it has come to this.
あいまい
vague.
咳払い せきばらい
to clear one's throat.
はっきりさせる
to make clear.
お前達 おまえたち
you lot.

↑ Scenes on this page

The spirit of "wa": why Japanese is vague

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 The spirit of "wa": why Japanese is vague still

Takasu explains to the students in earnest why Japanese is so ambiguous.
  1. 鷹栖

    There is a reason Japanese is ambiguous.

  2. 鷹栖

    Japanese values the spirit of "harmony" (wa), so it avoids definite statements...

  3. 鷹栖

    ...and shows consideration for the other person, which is why it becomes ambiguous.

  4. 鷹栖

    But what matters is that, just because something is ambiguous...

  5. 鷹栖

    ...you don't give up, but face the other person.

Speaking notes

和の心

「和」 = harmony

「和（わ）」 = harmony, concord. Japanese culture places an emphasis on group harmony and avoiding direct confrontation.
In language, this shows up as:
• avoiding definite statements (「〜かもしれません」, 「〜と思います」)
• letting the other person save face (「ちょっと…」, 「難しいですね」 = a polite refusal)

〜からといって

〜からといって = just because ... (doesn't necessarily follow)

「あいまいだからといって」 = "just because it's ambiguous (that doesn't mean ...)." 「〜からといって〜ない」 means "you can't conclude something on this reason alone":
• 「高いからといって、良いとは限らない」 Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good
The logic of Takasu's line is "because it's ambiguous" does not equal "you may give up".

Key vocabulary

断定 だんてい
definite statement.
配慮 はいりょ
consideration, concern.
重んじる おもんじる
to value.
投げ出す なげだす
to give up, to throw away.
向き合う むきあう
to face.

↑ Scenes on this page

The missionaries did not give up

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 The missionaries did not give up still

Takasu returns to the Portuguese missionaries and says they never gave up on facing the Japanese language.
  1. 鷹栖

    The Portuguese missionaries surely...

  2. 鷹栖

    did not give up on facing it, I'm sure.

  3. 鷹栖

    With a single-minded desire to understand, they threw themselves into the culture of the Japanese language.

  4. 鷹栖

    And that's exactly why the little circle they left behind...

  5. 鷹栖

    is still in Japanese today.

  6. ハルコ

    The spirit of "wa". We mustn't abandon the will to face things, must we?

Speaking notes

〜んだろうなぁ

〜んだろうなぁ = I suppose it was that ...

「諦めなかったんだろうなぁ」 = "They probably didn't give up." 「〜んだろう」 expresses a guess about a reason or situation, and 「なぁ」 is a sigh of feeling, in a tone of imagining the scene of the time.
Takasu narrates history with speculation rather than assertion: stating his view while leaving room.

一心で

〜一心で = with single-minded devotion

「わかりたい一心で」 = "with a single-minded wish to understand." 「Vたい＋一心で」 means "with all one's heart just for ...":
• 「子供を助けたい一心で」 with the sole desire to save the child

Key vocabulary

宣教師 せんきょうし
missionary.
諦める あきらめる
to give up.
一心 いっしん
single-mindedly.
飛び込む とびこむ
to throw oneself into.
残す のこす
to leave behind.

↑ Scenes on this page

Haruko's credit gets taken

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Haruko's credit gets taken still

The students warmly applaud Takasu and praise his lesson. Haruko, furious, says she was the one who made it all happen.
  1. ボブ

    Even if it's hard, you shouldn't give up.

  2. ジャック

    As expected of Mr. Takasu! A wonderful lesson.

  3. ボブ

    He's different from Haruko, after all! Completely different!

  4. ハルコ

    Wa... wait, everyone, hold on!

  5. ハルコ

    I'm the one who did this, you know! You don't get it at all, honestly...

  6. 王

    Haruko! You don't understand!

  7. ハルコ

    You're the ones who don't understand!

  8. ハルコ

    I did all of it!

Speaking notes

さすが

さすが = as expected of ...

「さすが鷹栖先生！」 = "As expected of Mr. Takasu!" 「さすが」 expresses admiration that lives up to expectations.
[Note] 「さすが」 is praise, but it often carries a tone of "just as I thought"; said to someone above you, it can sound condescending:
• With 「さすがですね」, a superior is better addressed with 「勉強になります」.

〜んだからね

〜んだからね = you know, I'm the one who ...

「あたしがやったんだからね！」 = "I'm the one who did it, you know!" 「〜んだから」 gives a reason and asks the other person to acknowledge it, and 「ね」 adds a tone of pulling the listener into agreeing.
Haruko uses the first-person 「あたし」 (feminine).

Key vocabulary

さすが
as expected of.
素晴らしい すばらしい
wonderful.
全然 ぜんぜん
completely (different).
全部 ぜんぶ
all, everything.
やる
to do.

↑ Scenes on this page

"The one who was abandoned was Dad"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "The one who was abandoned was Dad" still

Takasu speaks to his daughter, saying he has something to tell her, in answer to her earlier question.
  1. 鷹栖

    There's something I want to tell you.

  2. 鷹栖

    It's the answer to your question...

  3. 鷹栖

    Actually... the one who was abandoned was your dad.

  4. アヤカ

    Huh?

Speaking notes

〜ておきたい

〜ておきたい = I'd like to ... in advance

「話しておきたい事がある」 = "There's something I'd like to tell you beforehand." 「Vておく」 means "to do something in advance (for later)":
• 「言っておくけど」 Just so you know

捨てられた

捨てられる = to be abandoned

「捨てられたのは父さんのほう」 = "The one who was abandoned was your dad." The passive emphasizes the victim.
Note 「父さん」: it is how a father refers to himself when speaking to his child.

Key vocabulary

話す はなす
to say.
質問 しつもん
question.
実は じつは
actually.
捨てる すてる
to abandon.
父さん とうさん
Dad (self-reference).

↑ Scenes on this page

"I was the one who abandoned my family"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "I was the one who abandoned my family" still

Looking back, Takasu says he quit his company without consulting anyone and chose this job on his own, and the children's mother lost patience with him.
  1. 鷹栖

    I quit my job without consulting anyone and chose this work on my own, so...

  2. 鷹栖

    your mother gave up on me.

  3. 鷹栖

    But thinking about it... maybe I was the one who abandoned my family.

  4. アヤカ

    What do you mean?

  5. 鷹栖

    I thought we understood each other.

  6. 鷹栖

    I didn't face your mother, and I didn't think carefully about you girls either...

  7. 鷹栖

    I decided everything on my own.

  8. 鷹栖

    I couldn't see you because of that guilt. I'm sorry.

Speaking notes

愛想をつかされる

愛想をつかす = to be fed up with someone

「愛想（あいそ）をつかされちゃって」 = "she got fed up with me and gave up on me." 「愛想を尽かす」 = to lose goodwill toward someone and decide to stop caring about them:
• 「彼には愛想が尽きた」 I've had it with him
The passive 「つかされる」 means "to be given up on by the other person", and 「〜ちゃって」 is the colloquial form of 「〜てしまって」 (regret).

つもりになってた

〜つもりになる = to think one has ... (but hasn't)

「わかり合えてたつもりになってた」 = "I thought we understood each other."

Key vocabulary

愛想 あいそ
goodwill, friendliness.
勝手 かって
on one's own, selfishly.
罪悪感 ざいあくかん
guilt.
考える かんがえる
to think about.
すまん
sorry (masculine).

↑ Scenes on this page

"Forget you? Never once"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Forget you? Never once" still

Takasu tells his daughter that in these ten years he never forgot about them even once.
  1. 鷹栖

    But in these ten years, you girls...

  2. 鷹栖

    ...I never forgot you even once. ...Dad.

  3. アヤカ

    You know, actually, seeing Dad today...

  4. アヤカ

    I thought I might want to be with you a little longer.

Speaking notes

忘れたことは一度もない

〜たことは一度もない = never once

「忘れたことは一度もなかった」 = "I never forgot even once." 「Vたことは一度もない」 = "have never ... (stressing zero times)":
• 「嘘をついたことは一度もない」 I have never told a lie
Takasu uses an emphatic, almost double-negative construction to express absolute sincerity.

〜かも

〜かも = maybe ...

「一緒にいたいかも」 = "I might want to be together a bit." 「〜かも」 expresses a guess or uncertainty, but young people often use it to be endearing and to save face.
Ayaka uses 「かも」 to say what she really feels, because saying outright "I want to be with you" is too embarrassing.

Key vocabulary

一度 いちど
once.
忘れる わすれる
to forget.
一緒に いっしょに
together.
今日 きょう
today.
お父さん おとうさん
Dad.

↑ Scenes on this page

"Kamo" is almost a definite yes

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Kamo" is almost a definite yes still

The students interpret Ayaka's words: she said she might want to stay a little longer. Jack says that "might" is almost a definite statement.
  1. ジャック

    "I might want to stay"? That "kamo"...

  2. ジャック

    ...means she is almost certain she wants to stay, right? No way!?

  3. 香

    Seeing Dad just now, I've made up my mind too. A decision!?

  4. 香

    Yeah, yeah. Me too...

  5. 香

    I'm going to my new dad's place!

  6. 鷹栖

    What?! No no... what new dad?

Speaking notes

かも（断定）

「かも」 = nearly a definite statement

「〜かも」 = "maybe" in Japanese, but in practice it is often close to a definite yes. A speaker uses 「かも」 to avoid sounding overconfident or to avoid taking responsibility:
• 「行けるかも」 (= I can probably go)
• 「間違ってるかも」 (= I think it's wrong)

決心がつく

決心がつく = to make up one's mind

「決心がついた」 = "I've made up my mind." 「決心がつく」 is a spontaneous expression (the decision settles by itself), whereas 「決心する」 is a decision made actively:
• 「決心がつかない」 I can't make up my mind

Key vocabulary

断定 だんてい
definite statement.
決心 けっしん
decision.
ほぼ
almost.
嘘 うそ
lie; no way.
新しい あたらしい
new.

↑ Scenes on this page

The new dad is a New York businessman

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 The new dad is a New York businessman still

Kaori arrives late and tells Ayaka that her dad is on his private jet and will be arriving soon.
  1. 香

    Sorry I'm late, Ayaka. Mom!

  2. 香

    Hurry. Dad should be landing in his private jet about now. Okay!

  3. 鷹栖

    A private jet? Wait... wait. Who is this new dad?

  4. 香

    He's a businessman in New York. N... New York?

Speaking notes

何者

何者 = what kind of person

「何者（なにもの）」 = what sort of person (with a touch of surprise or wariness). It is a written or elegant alternative to 「誰」, often with the tone of "someone of unknown background":
• 「あの男は何者だ」 Who is that man?

〜のよ／〜なの

〜なの / 〜のよ = (feminine) informing

「実業家なの」 and 「着く頃よ」 = "He is a businessman" and "He'll be arriving about now" (feminine). The sentence endings 「なの」 and 「のよ」 are gentle feminine assertions.

Key vocabulary

自家用 じかよう
private (use).
実業家 じつぎょうか
businessman.
ジェット
jet plane.
着く つく
to arrive.
何者 なにもの
what kind of person.

↑ Scenes on this page

Well, at least things are clear

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 Well, at least things are clear still

Ayaka says that meeting foreigners today and seeing her father finally gave her the courage to live abroad. She and her mother are going to Miami.
  1. アヤカ

    So I couldn't take that first step toward living overseas.

  2. アヤカ

    Today I got to interact with foreigners too!

  3. アヤカ

    And finally, I got to see Dad too! F... finally?

  4. アヤカ

    Thank you very much! Mr. Takasu!

  5. アヤカ

    Let's go! Mom. Oh, are you done already?

  6. アヤカ

    Yes! Dad said we'd go to Miami for the weekend.

  7. アヤカ

    Yay! What am I going to do about my swimsuit?

  8. ハルコ

    Ha ha... well, in a way, a lot of things have become clear, haven't they?

Speaking notes

〜ことが出来た

〜ことが出来た = was able to ...

「接することが出来た」 = "was able to interact." 「Vことができる」 is the formal way of saying the potential, more formal than 「Vれる」.

ある意味

ある意味 = in a sense

「ある意味」 = in a way, to some extent. It is the most common "vague qualifier" in Japanese:
• 「ある意味、成功だった」 In a sense, it was a success
Haruko uses it to cushion the awkwardness of how things turned out, and to console Takasu along the way.

Key vocabulary

海外 かいがい
overseas.
踏み出す ふみだす
to step forward.
接する せっする
to come into contact with.
水着 みずぎ
swimsuit.
ある意味 あるいみ
in a sense.

↑ Scenes on this page

"Thanks, Charisma"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Thanks, Charisma" still

Haruko tries to slip away quietly, but Takasu calls after her and quietly thanks her.
  1. ハルコ

    Well then, I'll be heading home now.

  2. 鷹栖

    Wait! Yes?

  3. 鷹栖

    Thanks, Charisma.

  4. ハルコ

    If you don't say it clearly, it won't get across. If you don't say it clearly...

Speaking notes

ありがとな

〜な = (masculine) casual tone

「ありがとな」 = the casual masculine form of 「ありがとう」. The sentence-final particle 「な」 softens the tone, with a friendly feel between pals:
• 「悪いな」, 「頼むな」
「カリスマ」 is Haruko's old nickname (from "charisma shop clerk").

言わなきゃ伝わらない

〜なきゃ = if you don't ...

「はっきり言わなきゃ伝わらない」 = "If you don't say it clearly, it won't get across." 「Vなきゃ〜ない」 is the colloquial contraction of 「Vなければ〜ない」:
• 「言わなきゃわからない」 If you don't say it, no one will know

Key vocabulary

帰る かえる
to go home.
伝わる つたわる
to get across.
カリスマ
charismatic figure (Haruko's nickname).
待て まて
wait (command).
ありがとな
thanks (masculine).

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"Come to the tea room at my house"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Come to the tea room at my house" still

One morning, Katori musters her courage and tries to invite a colleague to the tea room at her home, but she says it in a vague way.
  1. ハルコ

    Good morning.

  2. 鹿取

    Catherine, good morning.

  3. 鹿取

    Um! Yes?

  4. 鹿取

    I'm Miyuki Katori.

  5. 鹿取

    Um, if you like, would you like to have some tea?

  6. カトリーヌ

    Oh, I make my own, so I'm fine. No! That's not what I meant...

  7. 鹿取

    Next time, in the tea room at my house. A tea room?!

  8. 鹿取

    Ah, no... it's only three people, so please don't be formal.

  9. ハルコ

    Ha... wow, that's some serious beating around the bush.

Speaking notes

大丈夫（不用）

「大丈夫」 = no thanks

「大丈夫」 = a polite refusal meaning "no thanks". To Katori's invitation 「お茶でもどうですか？」, Catherine answers 「自分でいれるから大丈夫」 = "I make my own, so I'm fine." She takes the invitation to mean "shall I make you tea?" and declines.

お茶を濁す

お茶を濁す = to dodge the question, to fudge

「お茶（ちゃ）を濁（にご）す」 = to fudge, to gloss over.
• 「適当にお茶を濁した」 I fudged it somehow
Haruko watches Katori talk evasively and comments with this idiom.

Key vocabulary

茶室 ちゃしつ
tea room.
お気軽に おきがるに
please don't stand on ceremony.
お茶を濁す おちゃをにごす
to be evasive, to fudge.
いれる
to make (tea).
今度 こんど
next time.

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"Kekkou da" meant no

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Kekkou da" meant no still

Haruko catches up with Takasu outside the classroom and says he promised not to interfere in her lessons. Takasu says he only said 「結構だ」.
  1. 鷹栖

    Whoa... Read this by tomorrow.

  2. ハルコ

    Wait wait, hold on... in my class...

  3. ハルコ

    You promised not to interfere!

  4. 鷹栖

    Hm? I didn't make any such promise. What?!

  5. ハルコ

    But at the time, you said you'd promise, you said "kekkou da"!

  6. 鷹栖

    Ah! All I said back then was "kekkou da".

  7. ハルコ

    That "kekkou da" meant no, didn't it? No, wait wait...

  8. 鷹栖

    It's your fault for not understanding the depth of Japanese!

  9. 鷹栖

    From tomorrow, I'll be stricter than ever, so be prepared.

Speaking notes

結構だ（伏笔回收）

「結構だ」 = yes or no?

• Haruko took it to mean "All right, fine"
• Takasu says "I only said 『結構だ』 (= no need), I never agreed"
[About 「結構」] It can mean "fine" or "no need":
• 「お茶はいかが？」「結構です」 = no, thank you
Takasu uses precisely the double meaning of an ambiguous expression.

ビシビシ

ビシビシ = strictly, relentlessly

「ビシビシいく」 = to proceed strictly and without mercy. 「ビシビシ」 is a mimetic word stressing "strict, no mercy":
• 「ビシビシ鍛える」 to train rigorously
Takasu ends with 「覚悟しとけ」 ("be prepared"), a warning from a superior or elder to a subordinate.

Key vocabulary

口出し くちだし
to butt in, to interfere.
約束 やくそく
promise.
覚悟 かくご
to be prepared.
奥深さ おくぶかさ
depth, profundity.
ビシビシ
strictly, relentlessly.

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"Japanese is too ambiguous!"

This scene

日本人の知らない日本語 Episode 9 "Japanese is too ambiguous!" still

Outmaneuvered by Takasu, Haruko cries out to the sky that Japanese is just too ambiguous.
  1. ハルコ

    Japanese is too ambiguous! Maji ukeru~.

Speaking notes

〜すぎ

〜すぎ = too ...

「あいまいすぎ！」 = "Too ambiguous!" 「Naすぎ」 indicates an excessive degree:
• 「高すぎ」 too expensive / 「多すぎ」 too many
Haruko ends on an exclamatory 「〜すぎ！」 with no subject or predicate: that is itself the elliptical style of colloquial speech.

「マジウケる」 (ironic)

「マジウケる」 (ironic) = (wry) I give up

Here Haruko's 「ウケる」 isn't "funny" but a mix of "speechless and amused": I give up, I'm beaten.

Key vocabulary

あいまい
ambiguous.
〜すぎ
too ...
マジ
really (colloquial).
ウケる
funny.
日本語 にほんご
Japanese (language).

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