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Watching 24 on DVD with Japanese subtitles teaches me a whole variety of useful phrases – I will never again be stuck for what to say when torturing a terrorist, that’s for sure – but today I want to look at just one: -tamae
Whenever President Palmer gives an order to someone, even just asking someone to sit down, the subtitles don’t use “-te kudasai” or “-ro” or any of the common endings, but “-tamae” instead. So, for example, “sit down” would be “suwaritamae”.
This is the order form of the word “tamau”, which is used as a support verb by men to people of the same status level or lower, to show friendly respect. However, when used in the order form, it’s used to people of lower status level, as a friendly but firm order (which fits President Palmer’s character pretty perfectly).
It’s not heard so much in daily life (at least, not at GenkiJACS!), but it’s an interesting, slightly old-fashioned and slightly cultured expression, and people will be impressed if you use it correctly. Especially if you’re, you know, the president.
Here are a few more examples:
– Come here: Kitamae
– Talk to me: Hanashitamae
– Give it to me: Watashitamae
Whenever President Palmer gives an order to someone, even just asking someone to sit down, the subtitles don’t use “-te kudasai” or “-ro” or any of the common endings, but “-tamae” instead. So, for example, “sit down” would be “suwaritamae”.
This is the order form of the word “tamau”, which is used as a support verb by men to people of the same status level or lower, to show friendly respect. However, when used in the order form, it’s used to people of lower status level, as a friendly but firm order (which fits President Palmer’s character pretty perfectly).
It’s not heard so much in daily life (at least, not at GenkiJACS!), but it’s an interesting, slightly old-fashioned and slightly cultured expression, and people will be impressed if you use it correctly. Especially if you’re, you know, the president.
Here are a few more examples:
– Come here: Kitamae
– Talk to me: Hanashitamae
– Give it to me: Watashitamae
If you have any questions, post them as a comment and we’ll try to answer as soon as we can!