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You are here: Home / Featured Posts / つまらないものですが (tsumaranai mono desu ga): Meaning | 英訳

つまらないものですが (tsumaranai mono desu ga): Meaning | 英訳

May 29, 2021

Table of Contents

  • Definition
  • Usage
  • Example
  • Related Words
    • Synonym
      • 大(たい)したものではありませんが: “This is not much” ほんの気持(きも)ちだけですが: “This is just a small token of my appreciation.”
    • Antonym
      • これめっちゃいいよ: “This is so awesome”
  • Related Posts
    • ふつつか者 (futsutsuka mono): Lovely Word to Humble Yourself

Definition

つまらないものですが (tsumaranai mono desu ga) literally means “(this is) not interesting/exciting, but…” and is used when one gives a present to someone in a very humble way.  Equivalent expressions in English would be “this is not much, but…”, “This is nothing special”, or “It’s just a little something”.

Usage

This phrase is often used by middle-aged people when they visit someone’s house and give them a gift. Since it’s not commonly used among young people, some people regard this phrase as a little old-fashioned.

Example

これ、つまらないものですが…
This is not much, but … (I hope you’ll like it)
わざわざすみません、ありがとうございます!
Oh you didn’t have to, thank you very much!

Related Words

Synonym

大(たい)したものではありませんが: “This is not much”
ほんの気持(きも)ちだけですが: “This is just a small token of my appreciation.”

Antonym

これめっちゃいいよ: “This is so awesome”

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