Sakura-san did not answer immediately. She hesitated, and seemed a little unsure of the answer you wanted. I think I know why.

The concept of dog vs. cat is not strictly correct. For an American, the expression is, “Fighting like cats and dogs,” which is where the idea of a a cat being the opposite of a dog comes from. But in Japanese, the expression would be a monkey and a dog that fight.

An example of the dog vs. monkey is a saying that goes, 「嫁と姑は犬と猿」or something like that. Don’t quote me, it has been too long since I saw it in Japanese. But what it means is, “A wife and mother-in-law are like a dog and a monkey.” They don’t get along.

At the same time, the Japanese do have references to the animosity between cats and dogs. This further clouds the issue.

So to the Japanese, a cat is not necessarily the opposite of a dog, but a monkey is. And it still does not mean that a cat can’t be the opposite of a dog.

Thus, Sakura-san hesitates to answer.

I wonder how she gets along with her mother-in-law.

SO, that said, my question… what’s the difference between “kedo” and “demo”as “but”? i hear “kedo” alot, and my textbook (now abandoned since i’ve met Japanese Pod 101) said it is also used as a “softener…” maybe i’m getting ahead of myself, but can you help me out on this?

and, last but not least. as i am new to this community, WHO is this Kazunori? is he KimuTaku’s doppelganger??

Just going through the content questions and something confused me!

“Sakura wa inu ga kirai desu ka?
Does Sakura like dogs?”

Is the English translation here correct? I though the translation would be “Does Sakura dislike/hate dogs?”

Love the site, BTW, keep up the good work!

The kanji for わたし is 私. This kanji also has the reading of わたくし, which is basically a much more formal version of わたし. I think you would generally hear it in something like samurai anime/movie speech, or perhaps very formal public speaking.

Yes? If yes what’s the difference?