Japanese meaning of 逃げちゃダメだ、逃げちゃダメだ、逃げちゃダメだ……
Reading:
にげちゃだめだ、にげちゃだめだ、にげちゃだめだ…… (Nigecha dame da, nigecha dame da, nigecha dame da...)
English Translation:
I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away...
Scene & Cultural Context
Scene Context:
Shinji desperately repeats this phrase to himself, trying to overcome his fear and fulfill his responsibilities.
Cultural Context:
Repetition of short phrases to illustrate intense emotional struggle or psychological conflict is a common dramatic technique in Japanese narratives. This particular phrase became iconic as a symbol of anxiety and determination.
シンジが責任を果たすため恐怖や不安を必死に抑え込もうと、自分自身に何度も繰り返し言い聞かせる場面。
日本の物語では、短いフレーズを繰り返して強い心理的葛藤や感情的な緊張を表現する手法がよく使われる。このフレーズ自体も、強い不安や決意の象徴として象徴的になっている。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 逃げる (nigeru) = to run away
• ～ちゃダメだ (~cha dame da) is the casual contraction of ～てはダメだ (~te wa dame da), meaning "mustn't do" or "not allowed to"
• Repetition emphasizes urgency and psychological pressure
Trap for English Speakers
English speakers might mistakenly view "ちゃ (cha)" as a separate particle rather than a casual contraction. Also, using "can't" instead of "mustn't" might sound too mild or casual, failing to convey the strong emotional urgency and intensity intended in the original phrase.
Example
Basic Example
面接前に自分に言い聞かせる。「逃げちゃダメだ、逃げちゃダメだ…」
“I mustn’t run away… I mustn’t run away…”
Applied Example
締切に追われながら書いてる自分に向けて。「寝ちゃダメだ、寝ちゃダメだ…」
“I mustn’t sleep… I mustn’t sleep…”