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How to Say ‘I've only been hearing about half.’ in Japanese

さっきから半分くらいしか聞こえてなくて。

sakki kara hanbun kurai shika kikoe te naku te

[SAHK-kee kah-rah hahn-BOON koo-rah-ee shika ki-ko-e te naku teh]

Phrase Breakdown

さっきから

sakki kara

for a while now / since earlier

さっき (sakki) = 'a little while ago', から = 'since'. Pause on the small っ.

Example

さっきから待っています。

I've been waiting for a while.

Words in this phrase

さっき

sakki

[SAHK-kee]

a while ago; earlier

Refers to a moment a short time ago.

Example

さっき電話しました。

I called a little while ago.

から

kara

[kah-rah]

from; since

Marks the starting point “from now.”

Example

これからも会おう。

Let’s meet from now on too.

半分くらいしか

hanbun kurai shika

only about half

しか ('only') needs a negative verb after it.

Example

半分くらいしか分からない。

I only understand about half.

Words in this phrase

半分

hanbun

[hahn-BOON]

half

One of two equal parts.

Example

ケーキを半分食べた。

I ate half the cake.

くらい

kurai

[koo-rah-ee]

about; approximately; around

Used with size words to mean approximately that level or degree.

Example

中くらいのくらいはだいたいの大きさです。

The kurai in chuu kurai means an approximate size.

しか

shika

[shika]

only

Used to emphasize exclusivity.

Example

君にしかできない仕事。

A job only you can do.

聞こえてなくて。

kikoe te naku te

haven't been hearing (you)

Ending in te-form makes the sentence soft and apologetic, as if trailing off.

Example

電話が聞こえてなくて。

I didn't hear the phone.

Words in this phrase

聞こえ

kikoe

[ki-ko-e]

to hear

Indicates the action of catching sound with one's ears.

Example

あなたの声が聞こえます。

I can hear your voice.

て

[te]

te-form ending

Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.

Example

ドアが開いて、入ります。

The door opens, and then I go in.

なく

naku

[naku]

not

Negative form indicator.

Example

今日は行けなくなった。

I can't go today.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

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