Friday, January 16, 2009

Leave alone

I think all of these have the same English, but the nuance or meaning is slightly different in each case.

leave alone
ほっておく

Example:
Just leave that guy alone; he's not going to listen.
あいつをもうほっておけ、言うことを書かないからさ。

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leave alone
そっとしておく

Example:
Let's leave him alone for now; he probably needs some time to think it over.
彼のこと、今はそっとしておいてあげよう、おそらく考える時間がいるだろう。

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leave alone
残す

Example:
She left the kids alone at home.
家に子供たちを残した。

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leave alone
〜きりにしてあげる

Example:
Oh, uh, well I'll just go ahead and leave you two alone then.
あ、え、じゃ二人きりにしてあげとくよ。

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leave alone
手を出さない

Example:
You better leave my girlfriend alone.
彼女に手を出さないんだぞ。

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Comment:
Though I think "You better not lay your hands on my girlfriend" is the better English translation (and is probably easier to remember too).

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