困ったものだ

English translation: Surely, this is a serious issue.

04:27 May 26, 2008
Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Journalism / Report & Comments
Japanese term or phrase: 困ったものだ
我々、日本人は中国のこのような横柄さには絶対に屈してはならない。中国は一種の警察国家なのである。最近、北京五輪を控え、人権運動家や知識人に弾圧を加え、投獄するケースが出始めている。要するに中国は人権無視の国なのである。自国民は勿論、他国の人権や利益などは考えない超プライド国家なのである。そのプライドも正しいプライドではなく、覇権主義に基づいた邪なプライドなのである。困ったものだ。

日本の政、財界に媚中派なるものがいるから余計いけない。彼らは日本の将来を誤らせる害虫的存在である。

This comment is found at http://mikitogo.at.webry.info/200801/article_12.html where an incredible story is told. I would like to understand everything and ask the above question.

Thank you in advance!
Wenjer Leuschel (X)
Taiwan
Local time: 23:50
English translation:Surely, this is a serious issue.
Explanation:
A more literal translation than my previous answer.
Selected response from:

Thomas Groendal
Local time: 08:50
Grading comment
Many thanks to everyone, especially to Thomas and Mstkwasa.

Thank you for helping me to unwind a Japanese syntactical and semantical puzzle.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +1The state of China is very disturbing.
Harvey Beasley
3 +1Distressing, upsetting, causing vesation, troublesome, etc.
humbird
4Surely, this is a serious issue.
Thomas Groendal
3This is an issue which cannot be ignored.
Thomas Groendal
2 +1Intolerable / unendurable / insufferable / makes my blood boil
mstkwasa
1that was troubling/that causes a lot of troubles
cinefil


  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
The state of China is very disturbing.


Explanation:
I do not agree with this "story" one bit.

Harvey Beasley
Local time: 00:50
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks. But I don't see the state in the sentence 困ったものだ. I see only something troublesome. As to the story, the toy company went broke. The links in the story confirm what is stated. Sad story, I'd say.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AniseK
20 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5
that was troubling/that causes a lot of troubles


Explanation:
just a guess

cinefil
Japan
Local time: 00:50
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 3
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks. I got the sense now.

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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Distressing, upsetting, causing vesation, troublesome, etc.


Explanation:
I am not sure if you want summary of your quoted sentence, or just a translation for 困ったものだ. I am asking this because you appear not be satisfied with Harvey's answer.
This is my best shot.

"Chinese authority's assertion that Taiwan is its territory is truly **distressing** to Japanese people."
I said "Japanese people" simply because the author is writing from Japanese point of view.

The story is about Gakken Toy company yielded to Chinese (mainland China, of course) govenment's pressure upon the globe it made in China, and portrayed Taiwan as "Taiwan Island" as though it is Chinese territory. Many Japanese are upset about this and quit buying the product, which resulted in the company's financial loss.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-05-26 06:35:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Correction: The story is about **Gakken Toy company**
This should be corrected to **Gakken Toys, and Takara Tomy (spell?) both companies**.

humbird
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese, Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks. So far I got it, one of the toy company went broke. I am studying the relevent links now. Thanks for you explanation.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ruth Sato: I think any of these are ok, but one should be spelled "causing vexation".
45 mins
  -> Thank you Ruth, it's clearly a typo.
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1 day 19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
This is an issue which cannot be ignored.


Explanation:
I believe this is the sentiment expressed, and the role of adding「 困ったものだ」at the end of the sentence. The translation is not literal, however, and should be used with caution.

Thomas Groendal
Local time: 08:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
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1 day 19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Surely, this is a serious issue.


Explanation:
A more literal translation than my previous answer.

Thomas Groendal
Local time: 08:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Many thanks to everyone, especially to Thomas and Mstkwasa.

Thank you for helping me to unwind a Japanese syntactical and semantical puzzle.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks! That's it, 困った+もの+だ makes an expression of something like "Truely, this is a vexatious matter." or "This is sheerly outrageous!"

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1 day 20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Intolerable / unendurable / insufferable / makes my blood boil


Explanation:
These suggestions are more strident than others but would fit more easily with the author's somewhat venomous tone that he employs throughout this piece. The author summarizes the case of the globe as an example and symptomatic of Sinocentrism and then concludes with the paragraph you quoted. His views torwards the PRC is made abundantly clear and 困ったものだ is an epitome of the whole piece.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day20 hrs (2008-05-28 00:46:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

【訂正】
誤:views
正:attitude

mstkwasa
Local time: 15:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
Notes to answerer
Asker: Special thanks to you. I could have chosen your answer. Your analysis is of rhetorical nature. My question was about the syntax and the semantics. That's why I take Thomas' answer as most helpful.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  KathyT: Perfect! These capture the nuance precisely. (お久しぶりです、お帰りなさい。)
50 mins
  -> Thank you! And it's very good to see you in this forum again.
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