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Japanese meaning of …あまり強い言葉を遣うなよ 弱く見えるぞ

— Sosuke Aizen ／ BLEACH

…あまりつよいことばをつかうなよ よわくみえるぞ (...Amari tsuyoi kotoba o tsukau na yo. Yowaku mieru zo.)

English Translation:

...Don't use such strong words. It makes you look weak.

Work: Character: Emotion: Scene:

Original Scene & Cultural Context

Scene in the Original Work:

Hitsugaya learns that Aizen faked his own death and has stabbed his loyal lieutenant Hinamori. Enraged, Hitsugaya says, "Aizen... I'll kill you." Aizen calmly answers with this line, and moments later he cuts Hitsugaya down.
日本語で読む
死を偽装していた藍染が、自分を慕う副官・雛森を刺したことを知り、日番谷は激怒して「藍染 俺はてめえを殺す」と告げる。藍染は表情ひとつ変えずにこのセリフを返し、直後に日番谷を斬り伏せる。

Cultural Context:

The line shows Aizen's overwhelming calm and became a well-known net meme. It may also be quoted as a joke toward someone who uses big words like 「絶対」 in an argument, or to tease a friend who brags too much.
日本語で読む
藍染の圧倒的な余裕を示すセリフで、ネットでも定番のミームになった。口論で「絶対」などの強い言葉を使う相手や、大きなことを言う友だちを、冗談でからかうときに引用することもある。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

•「あまり〜な」= don't ~ so much (〜な is a negative command). •「遣う」= to use (words); usually written 使う. •「弱く見える」= to look weak (adjective く-form + 見える).
日本語で読む
•「あまり〜な」は「そんなに〜するな」という禁止。•「遣う」は言葉や気をつかうときの表記で、普通は「使う」。•「弱く見える」は形容詞の連用形＋「見える」。

Trap for English Speakers

〜なよ is a blunt prohibition used toward equals or people below you. Saying it to a boss would be very rude.
日本語で読む
「〜なよ」は対等か目下に向けたぶっきらぼうな禁止。目上に言うと大変失礼になる。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 試合前に「絶対勝つ」と連呼する後輩に、先輩は「あまり強い言葉を使うなよ」と笑った。

    When his junior kept repeating "I'll definitely win" before the match, the senior laughed, "Don't use such strong words."

Example 2Applied Example

  1. （「このプリン、宇宙一うまい！」と叫ぶ友だちに）…あまり強い言葉を遣うなよ。安く見えるぞ。

    (To a friend shouting "This pudding is the best in the universe!") "...Don't use such strong words. It makes it look cheap."

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Meaning

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