Quotes
Japanese meaning of 悲しいけど、これ戦争なのよね
— Sleggar Law ／ Mobile Suit Gundam
Voice sample:
かなしいけど、これせんそうなのよね (Kanashii kedo, kore sensō na no yo ne.)
English Translation:
It's sad, but this is war.
Work: Mobile Suit GundamCharacter: Sleggar LawEmotion: Resolve & Passion SadnessScene: Determination Battle
Original Scene & Cultural Context
Scene in the Original Work:
In episode 36, at Solomon, Dozle's giant mobile armor Big Zam blocks beams with its I-field and sinks Federation ships one after another. Sleggar decides the only way is to get close and fire a beam inside, so he charges with Amuro in the G-Armor. When Amuro hesitates, Sleggar says personal feelings are not allowed, says this line, and charges from below. The G-Armor is caught by Big Zam's claws, and Sleggar is killed.
日本語で読む
第36話「恐怖！機動ビグ・ザム」。ソロモンでドズルの巨大モビルアーマー・ビグ・ザムが、Iフィールドでビームを防ぎ、連邦の艦を次々に沈める。スレッガーは接近してビームを撃ち込むしかないと、アムロとGアーマーで突撃する。戸惑うアムロに「私情は禁物よ」と言い、このセリフを口にして下から突っ込む。Gアーマーは足の爪に捕らえられ、スレッガーは戦死する。
Cultural Context:
Before this battle, Sleggar left Mirai a ring that had belonged to his mother, so some fans read "no personal feelings" as him holding back his feelings for her. The soft ending なのよね from a rough, carefree pilot makes his resolve stand out even more. His charge opens the way for Amuro to destroy Big Zam. It may also be used, half-jokingly, when you have to make a hard but unavoidable choice, in a game or at work.
日本語で読む
出撃前、スレッガーは母の形見の指輪をミライに預けており、「私情は禁物」にミライへの思いを抑える意味を読み取る見方もある。荒っぽく軽い性格のパイロットが「〜なのよね」というやわらかい語尾で言うことで、かえって覚悟が際立つ。この特攻が突破口となり、アムロはビグ・ザムを倒す。ゲームや仕事で、つらいがやむを得ない決断をするときに、冗談で使うこともある。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
•「悲しいけど」= it's sad, but (けど = but, casual). •「これ」= this (situation). •「〜なのよね」= is ~, you know; softens the sentence and adds a resigned "that's how it is" tone.
日本語で読む
•「悲しいけど」は「悲しいが」のくだけた言い方。•「これ」は今の状況のこと。•「〜なのよね」は「〜なのだ」をやわらかくした言い方で、あきらめや納得の響きがある。
Trap for English Speakers
Today なのよね is mostly heard from women; from a man like Sleggar it sounds light and a little playful. Also, これ戦争 drops は (これは戦争), which is normal in speech.
日本語で読む
「〜なのよね」は今では主に女性が使う語尾で、男性が言うと軽くおどけた響きになる。また「これ戦争」は「これは戦争」の「は」を省いた話し言葉。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
「悪いけど、締め切りは締め切りなのよね」と、先輩は書類を返してきた。
"Sorry, but a deadline is a deadline, you know," my senior said, handing the papers back.
Example 2Applied Example
（仲間の弁当から卵焼きを一つ取った忍者が）悲しいけど、これ忍びの世界なのよね。
(A ninja taking a piece of omelet from his comrade's lunch box) "It's sad, but this is the ninja world."
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「悲しいけど、これ戦争なのよね」 mean?