Harmonian wrote...
bukbuk wrote...
what the hell is 'desu'...tell me please... :?:
Desu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Desu can mean:
A Japanese copula (ã§ã™), or word used to grammatically link a subject and predicate. i.e. It is a Japanese verb meaning "to be"
An abbreviation for Delaware State University
The nickname of Suiseiseki, a fictional character in Rozen Maiden, which is also used as an Internet meme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desu
Internet meme
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term Internet meme (pronounced /miËm/) is a neologism used to describe
a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet, much like an inside joke.[1] The term is a reference to the concept of memes, although this concept refers to a much broader category of cultural information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_meme
Wikipedia kindof failed you on this one.
Their linguistic definition of desu is a little lacking. It's misleading to say it is a Japanese verb meaning "to be." It isn't a necessary part of a sentence. To pronounce the whole thing would only be used in formal or emphatic speech; in common speech it is either shortened to 'des' or dropped altogether. The way it is used by Suiseiseki is to denote a certain personality or character trait that could be called "cutesy." If you pay attention and watch subs or raws, you can hear it used by characters in other shows in this way, but usually not to this degree. There are also a few that make fun of desu being used in that manner.
In any case, there isn't really and English equivalent. Japanese and English are too basically different to directly translate many things.
As a note, some folks seem to have a moderate grasp over the term's originally intended use, and, though still pretty much using it as a meme, will add it to the end of sentences the want to emphasize. This is still pretty stupid, because the sentences themselves are in English, but it's better than saying it for no reason at all, I guess...