that "Namagoroshijanai desukaa" is really hard to be certain of. it's like 3 layers of uncertainty or something. Namagoroshi = a state of uncertainty namagoroshijanai = not a state of uncertainty namagoroshijanai desuka = probably not a state of uncertainty?
that "Namagoroshijanai desukaa" is really hard to be certain of. it's like 3 layers of uncertainty or something. Namagoroshi = a state of uncertainty namagoroshijanai = not a state of uncertainty namagoroshijanai desuka = probably not a state of uncertainty?
"Namagoroshi" (生殺し) does not mean "a state of uncertainty". You're likely referring to an JP/EN dictionary with incomplete definitions that can be easily taken out of context.
The word is derived from 蛇の生殺し, "the half-killed state of a snake" (or more literally, "the state of being killed while still alive of a snake"), referring to a gravely-wounded. suffering (the "suffering" part being important) snake on the verge of death after being hit with multiple blows that failed to kill it (snakes being hard to kill [cleanly] due to their agility and body structure.)
So, when used literally, someone being subjected to a 生殺し treatment basically gets inflicted with numerous grievous wounds like the etymological snake, all the while suffering through a state of extreme pain and agony as their life ebbs away. This may be done on purpose (e.g. torture, an overly-skilled opponent playing around, etc.) or by accident (inexperienced fighter or executioner, botched up medical treatment, etc.)
You're more likely to encounter this word being used figuratively though. Here, it refers to the "mental anguish one feels over something left unsettled (without a definite conclusion)". This usage of the word can usually be translated as "left hanging", "stuck in limbo", "keep (someone) in suspense/trepidation", or something along these lines. There isn't exactly a one-size-fit-all translation here so you'll have to pick something to fit the context.
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Now, "nai" acts as a grammatical negator, making it similar to English "no" and "not" (and their associated contractions). But "nai" (especially when used together with "ja") can also be used to form tag questions. Compare this with English "Isn't this...", "Aren't you...", "Don't they...", which also include negators when in question form.
Unlike English, there is no change in sentence structure, so this (a sentence ending with a negator) can sometimes be hard to tell when in written form (spoken makes its obvious by a rising 'intonation' at the end), so you have to depend on context.
But Komachi's line also has a "ka" at the end, which makes it obvious. "Ka" here is an interrogative (question) particle, making the sentence unambiguously a question.
Note also that, like in English, one doesn't necessarily ask a question expecting an answer. It can also be used to express incredulity, or to soften one's statement (again, depending on intonation, in both languages).
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So, to sum it all up:
生殺しじゃないですかぁ → Weren't you leaving me hanging there?
Can—Mmh...I will make one myselfThat's... kinda creepy.Oh right, how do you plan to go against time itself?The only paths leading from here are to the Hell or Heaven, so...But there's no path leading back from here...Well... you guys were leaving me hanging, no? With such delicious-looking sake in front of my eyes...Ah... um...Excuse me to ruin this moment, but...Can I have a cup too?I am at an utter loss of words at your blasé attitude.Ah, thanks. Sorry to bother you.It's fine. The more the merrier, when it comes to drinking sake.I'd suppose I'd better take a path that is neither one of the two then.