| Grammar Notes: Word-by-word Breakdown: 1. ピエロ (piero) - Meaning: Clown - Grammar: Noun 2. だって (datte) - Meaning: Even, also, but, because (contextual meaning here is "even") - Grammar: Conjunction or particle used to emphasize or give examples 3. 誰も (dare mo) - Meaning: No one, nobody - Grammar: Pronoun with a negative implication when used with a negative verb 4. 見ていない (mite inai) - Meaning: Not watching, not looking - Grammar: Verb conjugation; "見て" (mite) is the te-form of "見る" (miru, to see), and "いない" (inai) is the negative form of "いる" (iru, to be) 5. ところ (tokoro) - Meaning: Place, point, aspect - Grammar: Noun 6. で (de) - Meaning: At, in (indicates location) - Grammar: Particle 7. 涙 (namida) - Meaning: Tears - Grammar: Noun 8. を (wo/o) - Meaning: (direct object marker) - Grammar: Particle 9. 流す (nagasu) - Meaning: To shed (tears), to flow - Grammar: Verb Overall Sentence Translation: "Even clowns shed tears when no one is watching." Grammar Explanation: - だって (datte) is used to emphasize that the subject, even someone unexpected like a clown, does something (here, shedding tears). - 誰も見ていないところで (dare mo mite inai tokoro de) is a phrase meaning "at a place where no one is watching." - 涙を流す (namida o nagasu) means "to shed tears." Additional Information: Etymology of 涙 (namida): - 涙 (namida) is composed of two kanji: 泪 (tears) and 水 (water). This reflects the literal meaning of tears as water that flows from the eyes. Grammar Tip: When using だって (datte), it's useful for emphasizing unexpected behaviors or situations, similar to "even" in English. It's often used to make statements that might be surprising or contrary to expectations. |
