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Translation needed 2008/11/4 22:19
Could someone please tell me how to say:

'I am an English Language teacher from England. Before i came to Japan i worked as an assistant teacher.
Please forgive me as my Japanese is still very basic.'


Thankyou very much for any help you can give.
by Angel  

:) 2008/11/5 09:15
Watashiwa eigo no sensei desu. Nippon ni kurumaewa igirisu de sensei no asistanto o shiteimashita. Mada nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen. Dozo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Rather saying 'plz forgive me blah...', simply greeting 'yoroshiku' is sounds better.
by Native rate this post as useful

Thankyou! 2008/11/6 00:58
Thanks so much for that.

Could i ask you what that translates to exactly?

Just curious...
by Angel rate this post as useful

.. 2008/11/6 19:08
Watashiwa eigo no sensei desu.
(I am an English Language teacher)

Nippon ni kurumaewa igirisu de sensei no asistanto o shiteimashita.
(Before i came to Japan i worked as an assistant teacher in England)

Mada nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen.
(My Japanese is still very basic)

Dozo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.( Thank you! / Thank you for your cooperation)

If you want to way (Please forgive me as my Japanese is still very basic)
Mada nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen. /Or
Gomen ne. watashino nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen. /
(I am sorry that my Japanese is still very basic)

We do not really say forgive me to someone often in Japanese. Only when someone makes a big misstake would say it. (gomen ne) is more natural and warm.
by Nami rate this post as useful

... 2008/11/6 20:19
If you want to way (Please forgive me as my Japanese is still very basic)
Mada nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen. /Or
Gomen ne. watashi no nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen. /
(I am sorry that my Japanese is still very basic)


I assume that this is going to be a self introduction as you get to a new assignment/work.
In that case, "gomen ne" is definitely too colloquial/informal.

I would say instead (if you want a far more formal tone):
- Mada nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa nai koto wo go-yousha kudasai. (This is more the "forgive me that I'm not yet good with Japanese language" in formal tone.)
- Moushiwake arimasen ga, mada nihongo ga amari jouzu dewa arimasen. ("I'm sorry, but I'm not yet....")

Another thing I might note is that the word "sensei," while it is widely used, actually comes with a respectful meaning to it, so that you would not really use that to refer to yourself. You should instead say "Eigo no kyoushi" (English language teacher) if you are referring to yourself.
by AK (Japanese) rate this post as useful

Many ways to say 2008/11/6 21:39
There Sure are many ways to say (Please forgive me as my Japanese is still very basic) in Japanese.

I do not think Gomen ne is informal. I say it to my frineds and family all the time.

-Moushiwake arimasen / go-yousha kudasai

These words can be too formal to talk with friends.
When someone talk to me this way I would be very surprised if they are not my business partner. These words are good for business writing though.


by K rate this post as useful

Thankyou! 2008/11/7 03:55
Thankyou so very much to everyone who offered answers. You are all wonderful!
by Angel rate this post as useful

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