This used to be common in the past, but not so much today due to AI translation (even then, some still run into these issues as they have zero knowledge of Japanese). NEVER use Google Translate, like at all! Even for travel. I studied Japanese for a while and know that it’s a piece of shit.
Google is pretty shit at Japanese. Using Google translate or lens frequently does nothing useful. Somehow gmaps is like straight ass and only displays names in kanji which is useless for English speakers and even makes it hard to search.
Don’t get me started on Kanji having multiple definitions which takes it out of context using Google as it struggles to grasp nuance. Like how 最高 (さいこう) can mean “ultimate”, “best”, “highest” or “maximum” depending on how its used, this part remains up to the speaker on how its used within present context.
what, you don’t know the difference between 神 (kami) and 神 (Kami)? or would you prefer 髪 (kami) over the other two?
神 is God or Paper, 髪 is hair. enunciation is important. KAmi is God, while kaMI is paper/hair.
at least that’s how I’ve learned it.
That’s known as 高低 (こうてい) アクセント or Pitch Accent, like with 雨 vs 飴 even though both are pronounced as あめ, the only difference is the pitch of each sound (one is louder while the other is softer).
When I was learning English, it was really hard trying to figure out which ending 的 became. Usually but not always it was -al, sometimes it was -ific.
And now my English is decent and my Japanese is rusty, so yeah, the human brain can only be stretched so far.
I’m headed back to Japan in January, and it’s gonna be so weird hearing 日本語上手, it’s gonna feel like a slap every time.