could anyone explain the use of these two phrases?
いいかげん
とんでもない
they seem to have both negative and positive connotations, i'm confused in how to read their meanings and how to use them in various cases. thanks!
sorry... i don't know to really explain how to use them in various situations, but what i can give you are the different meanings to these words (from my dictionary). hope this helps.
いいかげん
1. refers to random, irresponsible, vague, remiss or lukewarm (in this case, its negative meanings)
2. refers to something that is "just right". (this is positive meanings)
Ex: 風呂はちょうどいいかげんだ。(The bath is just the right temperature)
3. a certain level, a considerable level/amount.
Ex: いい加減にしろ!
(That's enough! or the Taiwanese used to sub this as..."你给我够了!")
Other uses: いいかげんに(・・・)する
(人を)いいかげんに扱う、軽くあしらう means trifle
(仕事を)いいかげんにやる、(・・・を)義務的にする means cruise
とんでもない
means the following (which is both positive and negative):
- outrageous
- fantastic
- terrible
- ridiculous
- no kidding!
- no way!
- anything but !
- Far from it!
- very not likely!
to me, maybe i'm not picky or what i think may be wrong... but when i see or read certain phrases, the meaning will be there.
currently, i could only think of the following 2 which i come across more often:
"とんでもない話が・・・ or とんでもない事が・・・・"
my understanding is "shocking", doing or saying something shocking (which, could be positive or negative, depending on the contents or what was said or what was done)
"とんでもないです!私はただ・・・"
my understanding is "nothing of this sort!/I don't mean this (i am just....)" (which strongly means, very not likely!)