Konnichi Wa Bitches

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Yo

Relatively recently you could begin to hear people using the word "yo" at the end of a sentence here in America. Such as "that shiznit is whack, yo" or "pass the ketchup, yo"--well you see what I mean. I don't think I know if there is really a proper usage or not.

Very interestingly, there is something similar in Japanese. You can end a sentence, any sentence I think, with the particle "yo." Just as you can add "ka" to the end of any sentence to make it a question, you can add "yo" to, according to my book, "indicate certainty," among other things.

For example: "Kore neko wa aoi desu" (This cat is blue.)
"Kore neko wa aoi desu ka" (Is this cat blue?)
"Kore neko wa aoi desu yo" (This cat is blue, you see?)

A pretty weird coincidence. But it can't possibly be more than that can it?