Re: literal meaning of sumimasen?

From: muchan (usenet_at_usenet.usenet)
Date: 08/31/04 

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:49:23 +0200

Sean wrote:

> I'm learning about verbs, and I came across the negative form of the
> -masu ending, which is -masen. The first thing I thought of was
> "sumimasen." So, I looked for the verb "sumu," and came up with two
> or three, but nothing that really made sense. I looked around online
> and in my books, but didn't really find anything I felt satisfied
> with. So I'm wondering if I'm barking up the wrong tree, or if
> sumimasen is a simplification of something else, or is traditional, or
> what?
>
> Thanks!

I think it's "it won't pass/end/go (without something...)",
the "something" maybe appologizing, or paying, or cutting fingers, etc. etc. 8)

Saying "sumimasen" itself is recognision that it won't go without saying it,
so after saying it, it may pass/end/go. Sometimes, it isn't enough then:

  $B:Q$_$^$;$s$G:Q$`$H;W$C$F$$$k$N$+!*!!(B
$B!!!!!!$H$+(B
$B!!:Q$_$^$;$s$G:Q$`$J$i7Y;!$O$$$i$J$$!*(B

muchan

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