AboutDreams Expertise I have been teaching myself the language for the past seven years, having consistent practice with Japanese materials. I can help translate things from English to Japanese or vice versa. I can also help you get started if you're planning on taking up the language. =) I'm most familiar with things like anime, manga, J-pop, games and so on.
Experience I began learning the language in 1999. I frequently talk with penpals and natives in Japan, as well as continually keep up practicing with authentic Japanese materials.
Question I've been trying to find the correct translation for the term "death doll". I'm using it in a short story in which a karakuri ningyo (automated puppet) predicts a persons death, but I want to be sure I'm crossing the language barrier without hitting a few pedestrian along the way.
Any help is much appreciated, I've been struggling at this for days!
cMEf
Answer Hello,
Actually, the word "ningyou" is the same word for "doll, puppet, figure". So "death doll" would be "shi ningyou". (Shi = death) Or, more preferably, you could add a joining particle between the words to make it "shi no ningyou" (can still be read "death doll", or "doll of death").
FYI, I'm not sure if you were specifically looking for the meaning of "automated puppet", but "karakuri ningyou" usually means "wind-up doll". If you wanted to be more specific about "puppet", you might want to use one of two other terms: ayatsuriningyou (puppet, marionette) or yubiningyou (closer to 'hand puppet'). And the common term for "automated" is "jidou no" (automated, automatic, self-moving, etc).
