Minasan Konnichiwa!
This week’s ‘Japanese language tip’ is about goro – meaning “about”!
Have you noticed Japanese people being deliberately vague? They think it’s more polite to express themselves vaguely rather than clearly and directly. Here’s a good example when talking about the time.
A: Nan-ji goro ikimasu ka?
B: Hachi-ji goro ikimasu.
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A: What time will you go?
B: At 8 o’clock.
Hachi-ji goro actually means “About eight o’clock”, but don’t be deceived! People use goro even when they mean the exact time. And if you’ve been invited to a friend’s house at hachi-ji goro – don’t be late! In Japan, you’re usually expected to turn up on time.
–Of course, that doesn’t apply to boys meeting their girlfriends for a date…boys cannot be late and should arrive even earlier (my opinion, hahaha).
And please note if it’s a business meeting, you’re expected to turn up five to ten minutes early!!
So ki o tsukete! (be careful!)
Mata ne!
–Kazue
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