Question
Updated on
10 Dec 2022
- English (US)
-
Japanese
Question about Japanese
その会合にはわずか6人しかいなかった
If わずか and しか both mean "only", why is this being said twice? "Only 6 people only exist".
その会合にはわずか6人しかいなかった
If わずか and しか both mean "only", why is this being said twice? "Only 6 people only exist".
If わずか and しか both mean "only", why is this being said twice? "Only 6 people only exist".
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
Read more comments
- Japanese
I don’t know about grammatical reasons,I think it’ s emphasis way.
You can say 「6人しかいなかった」
Also,「わずか6人だった」
Was this answer helpful?
Obviously wrong
Explanation is not enough
Written in a language I can't understand
Answer is not related to the question
Other reason
- English (US)
- Japanese
- English (US)
@takiorange I really dont understand this weird dichotomy in japanese between being super ambiguous and indirect on the one hand, and yet being unnecessarily redundant at the same time.
- Japanese
The combination of わずか and しか works to emphasize the number of people joining in the meeting too little, like “surprisingly only six people”.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
- English (US)
- Japanese
Sorry 😅
I think we have to read good sentences and know right way.
I study English, and I always same problems.
Was this answer helpful?
- Japanese
@kinthira
You can also say "その会合には6人しかいなかった" removing "わずか" that means "a bit" or "a wee." As a commenter explained, adding "わずか" to this sentence focuses on the number six to emphasize the number is regrettably small.
As for "わずか6人しかいなかった," you would say *just* only 6 people existed.
"(わずか)〜しか〜なかった" is kind of collocation in Japanese. If you say その会合にはわずか6人がいなかった, it sounds weird.
I don't think Japanese is super ambiguous, indirect and unnecessarily redundant. For example, articles are unnecessarily redundant to me, because the Japanese language has no articles. That being said, I have to follow English rules to make sound myself natural. Every language has its own style to express what people speaking their languages have in mind.
Was this answer helpful?
- Japanese
Your original sentence seems to be accompanied by a nuance “unexpectedly or surprisingly” due to too little number of people joining. It was emphasized.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
Sign up
Recommended Questions
- なんか心当たり（は、が）あるんですか どちらのほうが自然でしょうか
- 二つの言い方は正しいですか？意味は同じ意味ですか？教えてください！ いきなり聞かれて返事に戸惑う . いきなり聞かれて返事にまごまごする
- 日本で門の簡体字で门も読むことができますか
- なんでもんだいですはもんだいないという意味ですか。 なんでもんだいの意味をおねがいします
- この文は自然ですか。 ずっと昔のことから、アメリカには、喫煙所は全然ないよね。
Topic Questions
- had Phil had a sister? Why use “had” start? Can I use Did instead? What will different?
- Do you understand this sentence? I remembered that I had forgotten to sing the national anthem i...
- Mona ............, punished,cried ...
- "the majority of people don't/doesn't know..." which is correct?
- When someone asks you How are you?/How are you doing? Would it sound correct and natural to answe...
Newest Questions
- In "Almond flour is the move to make better cookies.", what does the move mean?
- "I worked at a barbecue restaurant in Tokyo last night. I didn’t like the store manager at all. I...
- Guys, please. Are these 5 sentences correct? 1. How embarrassing, I had something stuck in my to...
- Responder solo "both" estaria bien, verdad? - Would you rather drown or burn? Both
- I received an email claiming I won a lottery, but it turned out to be a scam. この文章のturned out （判明...
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
