Let’s learn Japanese with Itachi’s quote from NARUTO (ナルト).
CONTENTS
Video
Itachi’s Quote
Japanese: 俺のことをずっと許さなくていい。お前がこれからどうなろうと、俺はお前をずっと愛している。
Romaji: ore no koto o zutto yurusanakute ii. omae ga korekara dō narō to, ore wa omae o zutto aishiteiru.
English: You don’t ever have to forgive me. No matter what you decide to do from now, I will love you forever.
Analysis
俺のことをずっと許さなくていい。
俺 is a manly way to say “I or me”.
The particle の followed by こと means “about”, so 俺のこと means “about me”.
The を particle indicates the direct object of the following verb.
ずっと means “for a long time”, “all along”, or “forever” which is used when something is in the same state continuously.
許さなくていい is formed with the verb 許す meaning “forgive” and なくていい meaning “don’t have to”. So you use the nai-form of a verb, delete the い and add くていい to mean “don’t have to do something”. For example, “don’t have to go” – the nai-form of the verb “行く” is 行かない so it’s 行かなくていい. “don’t have to come” – the nai-form of the verb “来る” is 来ない so it’s 来なくていい.
お前がこれからどうなろうと、俺はお前をずっと愛している。
The first clause お前がこれからどうなろうと is the subordinate clause which is “Aが どう + a verb volitional form + と” meaning “no matter how A does something”.
The A is お前 meaning “you”, which can be used towards inferiors or equals in a manly and friendly way.
これから means “from now on”.
なろう is the volitional form of なる meaning “to become or change” so “No matter how you change from now on”. In the anime it’s translated to “No matter what you decide to do” or “no matter what happens to you”.
And the second clause 俺はお前をずっと愛している is the main clause which is A は B を愛している meaning “A loves B” so 俺 (I) はお前 (you) をずっと (forever) 愛している means “I will love you forever”.
Examples
Verb + なくていい (don’t have to)
今日は学校に行かなくていいよ。
kyō wa gakkō ni ika nakuteii yo.
You don’t have to go to school today.
嫌いなら、食べなくていい。
kirai nara, tabe nakuteii.
If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it.
何もしなくていい。座ってて。
nani mo shi nakuteii. suwattete.
You don’t have to do anything. Stay sitting.
You can also say なくてもいい (but the も is often omitted in colloquial speech).
Interrogative + Volitional Form + と (no matter wh__/how)
あんたが何をしようと、私には関係ない。
anta ga nani o shiyō to, watashi ni wa kankei nai.
No matter what you do, it’s none of my business.
どこにいようと、いつも仕事のことを考えている。
doko ni iyō to, itsumo shigoto no koto o kangaeteiru.
No matter where I am, I am always thinking about work.
どの道を選ぼうと、私は応援するよ。
dono michi o erabō to, watashi wa ōen suru yo.
No matter which path you choose, I will support you.
It can also be “Interrogative + Verb Te-Form + も” (in this case, the も CANNOT be omitted);
どの道を選んでも、私は応援するよ。
dono michi o erande mo, watashi wa ōen suru yo.
No matter which path you choose, I will support you.
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