Can you help me with English?

[50s60sgroovymusic]

I have a question which is really confusing to non native speakers like me (especially the Japanese!)

A word, "business-like" has a negative meaning in Japan. But I wonder if it has a negative meaning when native speakers use it.

And also a word "unique" has a negative meaning in Japan. When you are told like "you're unique", it actually means "you're weird" here. (You know, "Read between the lines" is always a motto of the Japanese!) But I wonder if it has a negative nuance like that when you use it.

[MissChromeNun]

In English, the word business-like doesn't really have a negative connotation. When used about a person, I imagine that person to be neat, orderly, and very punctual with their time. Some people might interpret business like to mean that the person is rather cold, doesn't tolerate goofing about, and things like that, which I suppose can be negative.

Unique has no negative connotation in English. In fact, for a long time kids have been encouraged to embrace their uniqueness, told they're all special in their own way, etc.

At least, this is how it is in my area.

[50s60sgroovymusic]

Thank you so much!! It is sometimes confusing that some words have different connotations in Japan.  
As you guessed, business-like is used to describe "cold-hearted, and greedy of money" here in Japan.  So I wondered whether I would offend a persopn if I used the word in America.  What's worse, Japanese people tend to prefer 和 (wa) to uniqueness or individualism.  That's why it is said that collectivism still exists here (thogh many Japanese deny it). 

Anyway, thank you so much! It was good to know I could use these two words!  

[MissChromeNun]

You're welcome! I enjoy helping out.

[Fritz]

Wow 50s60sgroovymusic, your English is excellent.  I would not have guessed that English is not your native language.

As someone who enjoys learning foreign languages, I find these cultural differences in connotation fascinating.

I remember from my French classes, the word for "full" is "plein".  Our teacher would quickly point out that while it fine to use the word plein to say "a glass is full" or "a box is full", you should avoid saying, "I am full" (ie. "I have eaten enough food.  I am full.").  The phrase "I am full" (Je suis plein) in French is a common way of saying "I am drunk".  Or even worse, if you are female and say Je suis pleine, it is often understood to mean "I am pregnant".

Of course, that's only in France.  If you say Je suis plein in French-speaking Quebec or Belgium, it just means "I am full."

[50s60sgroovymusic]

Thank you so much, Fritz!


I know the word plein bc I had been learning French at university for two years (But I can't speak French so well lol. I had to choose my second foreign language for my credit anyway lol). 

But I didn't know there were such cultural difference in connotation between France and Quebec and Belgium.

Such a difference in connotation is sometimes annoying and confusing but sometimes fascinating