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  3. Architecture

くの字

English translation: L-shaped

23:19 Dec 12, 2015
Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Architecture
Japanese term or phrase: くの字
Context: リビング、ダイニングは、くの字に配すことで奥行を感じさせる設計

What would be a natural sounding way to express this in English? Closest I can think is Ku is like a boomerang shape, but no one describes a layout as being boomerang shaped.
HankHill
United States
Local time: 17:15
English translation:L-shaped
Explanation:
Depending on the context, L-shaped may work.
After all, an L is essentially just a く rotated through 45º.

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Note added at 24 mins (2015-12-12 23:43:57 GMT)
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I have now found what I assume to be the text in context, together with a photograph. It doesn't actually look as though the rooms are joined at 90º, in other words in an L-shape, so I wouldn't suggest using 'L-shaped' in this case.
Dogleg as suggested by cinefil certainly describes the shape, but it isn't necessarily the sort of word I would use in such a passage. A tricky problem!
Selected response from:

Julian Rippon
Local time: 01:15
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3L-shaped
Julian Rippon
3 +2chevron shape/doglegged shape
cinefil
3 +1connected at a slight angle
Port City


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
chevron shape/doglegged shape


Explanation:
http://ejje.weblio.jp/content/くの字に曲げる
http://ejje.weblio.jp/content/くの字形
dóg-lég･ged
(犬の後脚のように)曲がった,くの字形の(zigzag).
(また dogleg)
ランダムハウス英語辞典

cinefil
Japan
Local time: 09:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 27

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yasutomo Kanazawa
8 hrs
  -> Thanks a lot!
agree  Chrisso (X)
11 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
L-shaped


Explanation:
Depending on the context, L-shaped may work.
After all, an L is essentially just a く rotated through 45º.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 24 mins (2015-12-12 23:43:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I have now found what I assume to be the text in context, together with a photograph. It doesn't actually look as though the rooms are joined at 90º, in other words in an L-shape, so I wouldn't suggest using 'L-shaped' in this case.
Dogleg as suggested by cinefil certainly describes the shape, but it isn't necessarily the sort of word I would use in such a passage. A tricky problem!

Julian Rippon
Local time: 01:15
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  MrJibaku: This is the correct translation.
10 days
agree  Chrisso (X)
11 days
agree  gerlight
12 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
connected at a slight angle


Explanation:
The living room and the dining room are connected at a slight angle, generating a sense of depth.

"The two-story main building and the single-story annex with guest rooms are connected at a slight angle to the tranquil garden, ..."
http://www.koreana.or.kr/months/news_view.asp?b_idx=3861&lan...

Port City
New Zealand
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Chrisso (X)
11 days
  -> Thank you!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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