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I understand こんにちは and こんにちわ, a little. One is supposed to be more casual and the other more neutral or formal, which I get. But は is supposed to be pronounced like わ when referring to “you are”, “he is”, “this is”, “they are”, etc., so why is it pronounced the way it is in “こんにちは”?
The other “issue” I guess I’m having is in a lot of instances I see ください over 下さい. I’m assuming it’s for the same reasons, with ください being more casual, and 下さい being more neutral or formal, but as of now I have no clue. Is there a reason for this, or is it just a preference thing?
は is the topic particle は. The topic particle marks the topic in a sentence, and it’s very much not just used for “I am”, “you are” type sentences. こんにちは is 今日は – “this day is…” something something. Don’t ask me why, it’s some etymology that’s never been explained to me. Similarly for こんばんは. こんにちわ is just incorrect.
As for ください versus 下さい, I think it’s just preference. I wouldn’t quote me on that, though.
As for ください versus 下さい, I think it’s just preference.
:P
Yes, yes, I knew someone would post that. Aren’t we predictable? =P
Ok did you see this response coming:
AnonymousSome girls in Japan like to write it as こんにちわ, although yes it’s technically incorrect. :P
Some girls in Japan like to write it as こんにちわ, although yes it’s technically incorrect. :P
Ahh, someone I talk to (Who lives in Japan and is a Japanese Native, so I seem to put a certain trust on him to guide me the right way,) said it was correct to write it either way, but didn’t mention it was more feminine.
は is the topic particle は. The topic particle marks the topic in a sentence, and it’s very much not just used for “I am”, “you are” type sentences.
It was a very quick and broad generalization. ;_;
こんにちは is 今日は – “this day is…” something something. Don’t ask me why, it’s some etymology that’s never been explained to me.
Hmm. It checks out, but still a weird way of saying “Hello” considering the meaning of the Kanji. Although, I suppose it’s why they write it as こんにちは over 今日は, to separate the meanings. One of those things that are said the same way but mean two different things.
Also, 今日 is more usually pronounced きょう. =)
Compared to the British greeting “good day”, it’s not all that odd.
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