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てごらん

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meshuggener
Been Around a Bit
Posts: 15
Joined: April 17th, 2008 6:11 pm

てごらん

Postby meshuggener » March 28th, 2009 12:21 pm

Could anyone please tell me when I can use -てごらん as in:
首を縦にふってごらん (Nod your head)
Is it an informal or familiar equivalent to "te kudasai"?

QuackingShoe
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Posts: 368
Joined: December 2nd, 2007 4:06 am

Postby QuackingShoe » March 28th, 2009 7:12 pm

Actually, ごらん(御覧) when used this way is an abbreviation of 御覧なさい, used to ask someone to look/try/etc (it's the honorific みる). Since it's an abbreviation, though, it's kindof lost a lot of the respect, I believe.
Edit: Or I should clarify: I mean specifically in it's use as an imperative/interjection. In all other uses, 御覧 isn't an abbreviation, it just is what it is (honorific みる).

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meshuggener
Been Around a Bit
Posts: 15
Joined: April 17th, 2008 6:11 pm

Postby meshuggener » March 28th, 2009 9:04 pm

Thank you for that quick answer!

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