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Do you guys actually understand Japanese or still rely on translations when it comes to otome CDs?

For the most part, I rely on translations, but if I really want to understand an untranslated CD drama, I use Subtitle Edit's audio-to-text feature to get a transcription. I then run it through DeepL and manually fix any translation mistakes I notice by comparing the translation with the transcription and using my knowledge of Japanese.
 
I'd say I'm somewhere in between. I'm definitely not fluent in Japanese, but after so many years of watching anime and listening to CDs, I've become pretty familiar with certain words and expressions. So I can usually understand the general idea of what they're saying, especially if I've already read the synopsis and know what the CD is about.
But if I want to understand absolutely everything, especially the more complicated details or conversations, I definitely still need a translation. (⁠●⁠´⁠⌓⁠`⁠●⁠)
 
It really depends. If it's something simple, I can piece the story together, but literary works (for instance the drama CDs for Koshotengai no Hashihime which consist of characters reading classic Japanese literature works) or really technical language knock me out.
 
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The only japanese knowledge I have is from my years of anime watching and listening to otome cds 😭 if its a modern cd with very simple plot then i understand the general idea but not everything. Although I can proudly admit that I understand like 99% of what theyre saying when it comes to the r18 scenes ☠️

I used to rely on translations but because theyre so sparse ive honestly given up and just try to raw dog every cd using the synopsis and my limited japanese knowledge, oh and with cope that the important parts are the sex scenes which im basically fluent in anyway 😭😭
 
actually, I haven't studied Japanese, but I can understand a little from playing so many otome games. I still have to rely on translations to fully understand everything, though :cry:
 
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i understand a bit, but not every single word, mostly just by gut feeling. i understand it because i used to watch a lot of anime. reading the synopsis before listening to an otome cd also really helps me catch the whole situation in the end.
 
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Im self taught in Japanese, Ive been learning since I was a kid due to anime, and I can understand pretty well! Occasionally I miss things but I can usually use context clues to get the gist of what was being said. It also helps that I practice it often, sometimes watching Japanese-only content like youtube videos, seiyuu events and gachas. Some come with translations, others dont, and both are good for practice!
 
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I used to just full on listen to a lot of cds without translations or understanding the language. I would translate the summary in Deepl and go off of that lol

Now that I'm actively studying Japanese I find that I'm understanding more and more each time. The cds make it fun since I can put my knowledge to use and recognize things I couldn't before. Still can't fully understand everything but I get the gist of things most the time.
 
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For the most part, I rely on translations, but if I really want to understand an untranslated CD drama, I use Subtitle Edit's audio-to-text feature to get a transcription. I then run it through DeepL and manually fix any translation mistakes I notice by comparing the translation with the transcription and using my knowledge of Japanese.
WAIT you can do that with Subtitle Edit?? 😭 I had no idea. I've literally just been suffering whenever I can't find translations lol. Thank you for the tip, I might actually try this!!
 
I'd say I'm somewhere in between. I'm definitely not fluent in Japanese, but after so many years of watching anime and listening to CDs, I've become pretty familiar with certain words and expressions. So I can usually understand the general idea of what they're saying, especially if I've already read the synopsis and know what the CD is about.
But if I want to understand absolutely everything, especially the more complicated details or conversations, I definitely still need a translation. (⁠●⁠´⁠⌓⁠`⁠●⁠)
Ahh yeah, I'm somewhere in between too!
 
Tbh the more you listen to otome cds the better you become at understanding spoken Japanese. I think it's a great way to work on spoken comprehension. I remember listening to otome cds when I spoke anime Japanese lol :XD: and now I'm fluent. If you want to get better you should try surrounding yourself with Japanese language, tv news, books, games, writing a diary, also yomitan is really good!
It can be scar starting learning a new language with a completely different culture and writing system, but if you make it fun and daily you'll make progress without seeing it! It's easier than what you might think!
You all got this! :miku_cheer::cramming:
 
It's kinda interesting because I've never actually studied Japanese at a school or academy. After years of listening to it, though, somehow my ears have gradually gotten used to understanding Japanese lol. Currently I'm self-learning how to read and write :D