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Let’s learn Japanese with Motoko’s quote from Ghost in the Shell.

Video

Motoko’s Quote

Japanese: 世の中に不満があるなら自分を変えろ。
Romaji: yononaka ni fuman ga aru nara jibun o kaero.
English: If you’ve got a problem with the world, change yourself.

Analysis

世の中 means “world”. You might know “世界” which also means “world” but 世界 is often used as the physical world whereas 世の中 is “a world” with a concept of “society” or “era”. 

“に (towards) 不満 (dissatisfaction) がある (there is)” following a noun, means “have dissatisfaction towards something” or “have a problem with something”.

なら means “if” or “given” which is used when the speaker sees or hears a particular thing or situation from the listener and explains what to do under the given condition. So Motoko hears the guy complaining about the current system and she tells him what to do under the condition which is that he’s got a problem with the world.

自分 means “oneself” so in this context it means “yourself”.

を is the particle which is used to indicate the direct object of the following verb.

変えろ is the imperative form of 変える meaning “change something”. So Motoko is telling the guy to change himself. Please note that if you use imperative forms in real conversations, it sounds really bossy.

Examples

世の中 (world)

10年後ねんご、世よの中なかはもっと進化しんかしているだろう。

jū-nen go, yononaka wa motto shinka shiteiru darō. 

After ten years, the world would be more developed.

政治家せいじかになって、世よの中なかを変かえたい。

seijika ni natte, yononaka o kaetai.

I want to become a politician and change the world.

世よの中なかの仕組しくみを知しることは大切たいせつだ。

yononaka no shikumi o shiru koto wa taisetsu da.

It is very important to know the system of the world.

Noun + に不満がある (have a problem with something)

職場しょくばに不満ふまんがあっても、なかなか辞やめられない。

shokuba ni fuman ga attemo, nakanaka yamerarenai.

Even if you are not happy in the work place, you can’t quit the job that easily.

みんな上司じょうしに不満ふまんがあるけど、我慢がまんしている。

minna jōshi ni fuman ga aru kedo, gaman shite iru.

Everyone has a problem with their boss, but they are putting up with him.

政治家せいじかに不満ふまんがある人ひとはたくさんいる。

seijika ni fuman ga aru hito wa takusan iru.

Many people aren’t satisfied with the politicians.

Plain Form + なら (if, given)

A: 行いってきます。B: あ、出でかけるなら牛乳ぎゅうにゅう買かってきて。 

A: ittekimasu. B: a, dekakeru nara gyūnyū katte kite.

A: I’m leaving. B: Oh, if you are going out, buy some milk.

A: 今年ことしの夏なつはどこか行いきたいなぁ。B: 夏なつの旅行りょこうなら沖縄おきなわがいいよ！

A: kotoshi no natsu wa dokoka ikitai nā. B: natsu no ryokō nara okinawa ga ii yo!

A: I want to go somewhere this summer. B: For a summer trip, Okinawa is good!

(You see your friend looking cold) 寒さむいなら私わたしの手袋てぶくろ貸かしてあげるよ。

samui nara watashi no tebukuro kashite ageru yo.

If you are cold, I can lend you my gloves.

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