Difference between revisions of "The Legend of Zelda/ja-en"

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Should include a graphic of this... it shows the words "THE HYRULE FANTASY" in small print to the upper left of ゼルダの伝説１ in large print, with the 1 shown extra large to the right (the 1 isn't included in the original Japanese (FDS) or North American (NES) releases). The North American release has the words "THE LEGEND OF" in place of "THE HYRULE FANTASY" and the word "ZELDA" in place of "ゼルダの伝説" (which by itself in Japanese literally means the full "Legend of Zelda").  
 
Should include a graphic of this... it shows the words "THE HYRULE FANTASY" in small print to the upper left of ゼルダの伝説１ in large print, with the 1 shown extra large to the right (the 1 isn't included in the original Japanese (FDS) or North American (NES) releases). The North American release has the words "THE LEGEND OF" in place of "THE HYRULE FANTASY" and the word "ZELDA" in place of "ゼルダの伝説" (which by itself in Japanese literally means the full "Legend of Zelda").  
  
−
Instead of "PUSH START BUTTON", the original Japanese FDS version reads: Bメンヲ　セットシテクダサイ
+
Whereas other versions use "PUSH START BUTTON", the original Japanese FDS version reads: Bメンヲ　セットシテクダサイ = Please switch to Side B
  
 
== Items ==
 
== Items ==
−
These are listed under the heading of "ALL OF TREASURES" and scroll by after the intro above. (The kanji are not used in the game.)
+
These are listed under the heading of "ALL OF TREASURES" and scroll by after the intro above. (The kanji are not used in the game.) Changed to "ALL TREASURES" in later versions of the game.
  
 
{| border=1
 
{| border=1
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| 筏 || イカダ || Raft ||
 
| 筏 || イカダ || Raft ||
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 梯子 || ハシゴ || Stepladder ||
+
| 梯子 || ハシゴ || Ladder ||
 
|-
 
|-
 
| || マジカル　ロッド || Magical Rod ||
 
| || マジカル　ロッド || Magical Rod ||
Line 98: Line 98:
 
! Japanese !! Meaning
 
! Japanese !! Meaning
 
|-
 
|-
−
|オマチクダサイ||  
+
|オマチクダサイ|| Please wait
 
|-
 
|-
 
|セレクトシテクダサイ || Please select
 
|セレクトシテクダサイ || Please select
Line 120: Line 120:
 
If you run out of hearts while playing, you'll be presented with the following 3 options:
 
If you run out of hearts while playing, you'll be presented with the following 3 options:
 
* {{gloss|ツヅケル|続ける　to continue}} -CONTINUE-
 
* {{gloss|ツヅケル|続ける　to continue}} -CONTINUE-
−
* {{gloss|オワル|終わる to end}} -SAVE-
+
* {{gloss|オワル|終わる to end}} -SAVE- (Lit: End)
 
* {{gloss|ヤリナオス|やり直す to do over again; redo}} -RETRY-
 
* {{gloss|ヤリナオス|やり直す to do over again; redo}} -RETRY-
  
−
Choosing "ツヅケル -CONTINUE-" will either put you back at the very start of the overworld if you're not in a dungeon, or back at the starting room of a dungeon if you died inside one, with only 3 hearts full.
+
Choosing "ツヅケル -CONTINUE-" will either put you back at the very start of the overworld if you're not in a dungeon, or back at the starting room of a dungeon if you died inside one, with only 3 hearts (6 hit points) full.
 +
 
 +
The option "ヤリナオス -RETRY-" will quit the game without saving.
  
 
== Dialogue ==
 
== Dialogue ==
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|{{gloss|一人で|alone}}は{{gloss|危険|danger}}{{gloss|じゃ|[old man's variant of だ]}}。これを{{gloss|授けよう|さずける to grant/award}}。
 
|{{gloss|一人で|alone}}は{{gloss|危険|danger}}{{gloss|じゃ|[old man's variant of だ]}}。これを{{gloss|授けよう|さずける to grant/award}}。
 
|It's dangerous [to go] alone. I'll give you this.}}
 
|It's dangerous [to go] alone. I'll give you this.}}
−
 
+
* {{gloss|一人|ひとり one person}} literally means "one person". However, when {{gloss|一人で|ひとりで alone}}　is used it has a strong connotation of "alone". In this context it can also be spelled 独り. {{gloss|自分で|じぶんで by oneself}} has a similar but distinct connotation.
−
{{gloss|一人|ひとり one person}} literally means "one person". However, when {{gloss|一人で|ひとりで alone}}　is used it has a strong connotation of "alone". In this context it can also be spelled 独り. {{gloss|自分で|じぶんで by oneself}} has a similar but distinct connotation.
 
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man with White Sword and Magical Sword
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man with White Sword and Magical Sword
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{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Warp Zones
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Warp Zones
 
|スキナミチヲユケ
 
|スキナミチヲユケ
−
|{{gloss|好き|like}}な{{gloss|道|road/way}}を{{gloss|行け|いく to go}}。
+
|{{gloss|好き|like}}な{{gloss|道|road/way}}を{{gloss|行け|ゆく to go}}。
 
|Go any way you like.}}
 
|Go any way you like.}}
 +
* ゆく is just a variant of いく that is particularly associated with old codgers.
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Secret Cave
 
|ユキドマリノキニハ　ヒミツガアル
 
|ユキドマリノキニハ　ヒミツガアル
 
|{{gloss|行き止まり|dead end}}の{{gloss|木|tree}}には{{gloss|秘密|secret}}がある。
 
|{{gloss|行き止まり|dead end}}の{{gloss|木|tree}}には{{gloss|秘密|secret}}がある。
 
|There is a secret in the tree at the dead end.}}
 
|There is a secret in the tree at the dead end.}}
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Money Making Game
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Money-Making Game
 
|オカネヲフヤス　ゲームヲスルカイ
 
|オカネヲフヤス　ゲームヲスルカイ
 
|{{gloss|お金|money}}を{{gloss|増やす|to increase}}{{gloss|ゲーム|game}}をするかい？
 
|{{gloss|お金|money}}を{{gloss|増やす|to increase}}{{gloss|ゲーム|game}}をするかい？
 
|Want to play the money-making game?}}
 
|Want to play the money-making game?}}
−
 
+
* かい is a variant of the question marker typically used by men. It is gentler and friendlier than using か, which tends to be abrupt when used with the plain form.
−
かい is a variant of the question marker typically used by men. It is gentler and friendlier than using か, which tends to be abrupt when used with the plain form. It is used only when expecting an answer of "yes" or "no".
 
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Secret Caves
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Secret Caves
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|{{gloss|ドア|door}}の{{gloss|修理代|cost of repairs}}を{{gloss|もらう|to receive}}ぞ。
 
|{{gloss|ドア|door}}の{{gloss|修理代|cost of repairs}}を{{gloss|もらう|to receive}}ぞ。
 
|I will receive the cost of the door repair.}}
 
|I will receive the cost of the door repair.}}
−
In other words: pay up!
+
* In other words: pay up!
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man with Letter
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man with Letter
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{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Medicine Shops
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Medicine Shops
 
|クスリヲカッテユキナサイ
 
|クスリヲカッテユキナサイ
−
|{{gloss|薬|medicine}}を{{gloss|買って|かう to buy}}{{gloss|行きなさい|いく to go}}。
+
|{{gloss|薬|medicine}}を{{gloss|買って|かう to buy}}{{gloss|行きなさい|ゆく to go}}。
−
|Go buy some medicine.}}
+
|Buy some medicine before you go.}}
 +
* This can be parsed one of two ways: "Buy some medicine and go" (more naturally expressed as "Take some medicine with you"), or "Go, [being in a state of] having bought some medicine." This latter parsing is where the idea of "before" comes from in our chosen translation.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods  
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|{{gloss|ただ|free}}では、話せないよ！
 
|{{gloss|ただ|free}}では、話せないよ！
 
|I cannot talk for free!}}
 
|I cannot talk for free!}}
−
In an earlier version of this translation, we did not have the context of this sentence and misinterpeted ただでは as a phrase meaning "I will get my revenge", because that's the EDICT entry for that phrase. Remember: it pays to pay attention to context!
+
* In an earlier version of this translation, we did not have the context of this sentence and misinterpeted ただでは as a phrase meaning "I will get my revenge", because that's the EDICT entry for that phrase. Remember: it pays to pay attention to context!
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods - when not given enough rupees
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods, when not given enough money
 
|コレデハ　イエナイネ
 
|コレデハ　イエナイネ
 
|{{gloss|これで|with this}}は{{gloss|言えない|いう to say/call/talk/speak}}ね。
 
|{{gloss|これで|with this}}は{{gloss|言えない|いう to say/call/talk/speak}}ね。
 
|With this much, I cannot talk.}}
 
|With this much, I cannot talk.}}
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall - when paid the right amount of rupees
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall, when paid the right amount
 
|コノサキノ　ヤマヲ　ウエヘ　ウエヘ　ト　ユケ
 
|コノサキノ　ヤマヲ　ウエヘ　ウエヘ　ト　ユケ
 
|{{gloss|この先|beyond this point/after this}}の{{gloss|山|mountain}}を{{gloss|上|up}}へ上へと{{gloss|行け|いく to go}}。
 
|{{gloss|この先|beyond this point/after this}}の{{gloss|山|mountain}}を{{gloss|上|up}}へ上へと{{gloss|行け|いく to go}}。
−
|Go up, up the mountain in front of you.}}
+
|Go up, up the mountain ahead.}}
 +
* Here doubling of 上へ merely emphasizes it; an idiomatic translation would be something like "way up".
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Cave, South of the Lost Woods - when paid the right amount of rupees
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Cave, South of the Lost Woods, when paid the right amount
 
|マヨイノモリヲ　キタ　ニシ　ミナミ　ニシ　ヘ
 
|マヨイノモリヲ　キタ　ニシ　ミナミ　ニシ　ヘ
 
|{{gloss|迷い|lost}}の{{gloss|森|forest}}を{{gloss|北|north}}、{{gloss|西|west}}、{{gloss|南|south}}、西へ。
 
|{{gloss|迷い|lost}}の{{gloss|森|forest}}を{{gloss|北|north}}、{{gloss|西|west}}、{{gloss|南|south}}、西へ。
 
|[To go] through the Lost Woods, [go] north, west, south, west.}}
 
|[To go] through the Lost Woods, [go] north, west, south, west.}}
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods - when given too many rupees
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods, when given too much money
 
|アンタオカネモチダネ
 
|アンタオカネモチダネ
 
|{{gloss|あんた|you}}{{gloss|お金持ち|rich person}}だね。
 
|{{gloss|あんた|you}}{{gloss|お金持ち|rich person}}だね。
Line 206: Line 209:
 
|{{gloss|なんか|something}}{{gloss|買うて|to buy}}くれや！
 
|{{gloss|なんか|something}}{{gloss|買うて|to buy}}くれや！
 
|Buy somethin', will ya?}}
 
|Buy somethin', will ya?}}
−
This man is speaking Kansai-ben. This is probably invoking at least one of several stereotypes of people from Osaka (the most well-known subdialect of Kansai): they tend to be perceived as rude, loudmouthed, boisterous, and mercantilistic. Kansai-ben speakers also tend to be perceived as funny, because many comedians are from Kansai. So an Osakan (or the Hyrule equivalent) rudely demanding that you buy something is probably funny for the same reason the Rich Texan Guy from The Simpsons is funny.
+
* This man is speaking Kansai-ben. This is probably invoking at least one of several stereotypes of people from Osaka (the most well-known subdialect of Kansai): they tend to be perceived as rude, loudmouthed, boisterous, and mercantilistic. Kansai-ben speakers also tend to be perceived as funny, because many comedians are from Kansai. So an Osakan (or the Hyrule equivalent) rudely demanding that you buy something is probably funny for the same reason the Rich Texan Guy from The Simpsons is funny.
−
 
+
* In Standard Japanese, the te form of 買う (かう) is かって. In Kansai-ben, 買う is still かう, but its te form becomes こうて.
−
In Standard Japanese, the te form of 買う (かう) is かって. In Kansai-ben, 買う is still かう, but its te form becomes こうて.
+
* なんか is short for {{gloss|何か|なにか}}.
−
 
+
* や here is Kansai-ben for よ.
−
なんか is short for {{gloss|何か|なにか}}.
 
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Shopkeeper - Secret Shops
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Shopkeeper - Secret Shops
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|これは{{gloss|値打ち|value/worth}}{{gloss|もの|thing}}でっせ。
 
|これは{{gloss|値打ち|value/worth}}{{gloss|もの|thing}}でっせ。
 
|This is expensive stuff, man.}}
 
|This is expensive stuff, man.}}
−
でっせ is Kansai-ben for ですよ.
+
* でっせ is Kansai-ben for ですよ.
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Secret Caves - Red Potion or Heart Container
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Secret Caves, Red Potion or Life Container
 
|スキナ　ホウヲ サズケヨウ
 
|スキナ　ホウヲ サズケヨウ
 
|{{gloss|好き|like}}な方を{{gloss|授けよう|さずける to grant/award}}。
 
|{{gloss|好き|like}}な方を{{gloss|授けよう|さずける to grant/award}}。
 
|I'll give you the one you want.}}
 
|I'll give you the one you want.}}
−
方 here means to select among two options.
+
* 方 here means to select among two options.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Moblin with Rupees - Secret Caves
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Moblin with Rupees - Secret Caves
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|{{gloss|皆|everyone}}に{{gloss|内緒|secret}}だよ。
 
|{{gloss|皆|everyone}}に{{gloss|内緒|secret}}だよ。
 
|It's a secret to everybody.}}
 
|It's a secret to everybody.}}
 +
* "Moblins"(モリブリン) are common enemies in the game, but if you find their secret caves they'll give you money.
  
−
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Moblin - Level 7, 1st Quest / Level 3 and 8, 2nd Quest
+
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Hungry Moblin - Level 7, 1st Quest / Level 3 and 8, 2nd Quest
 
|ブツ　ブツ　・・・・
 
|ブツ　ブツ　・・・・
 
|{{gloss|ぶつぶつ|grunt/grumble}}・・・・
 
|{{gloss|ぶつぶつ|grunt/grumble}}・・・・
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|ドドンゴは{{gloss|煙|smoke}}を{{gloss|嫌う|to hate}}。
 
|ドドンゴは{{gloss|煙|smoke}}を{{gloss|嫌う|to hate}}。
 
|Dodongo hates smoke.}}
 
|Dodongo hates smoke.}}
 +
* "Dodongo" is the boss of the dungeon.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 3, 1st Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 3, 1st Quest
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|{{gloss|音|sound}}に{{gloss|弱い|weak}}{{gloss|生き物|living thing}}が{{gloss|いる|to exist [animate objects]}}。
 
|{{gloss|音|sound}}に{{gloss|弱い|weak}}{{gloss|生き物|living thing}}が{{gloss|いる|to exist [animate objects]}}。
 
|There is a creature that is weak against noise/sound.}}
 
|There is a creature that is weak against noise/sound.}}
−
This is a hint to use the Famicom's microphone feature, which was absent on the NES.
+
* This is a hint to use the Famicom's microphone feature, which was absent on the NES.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 5, 1st Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 5, 1st Quest
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|デグドガには{{gloss|嫌い|dislike/hate}}な{{gloss|音|sound}}が{{gloss|ある|to exist [inanimate objects]}}。
 
|デグドガには{{gloss|嫌い|dislike/hate}}な{{gloss|音|sound}}が{{gloss|ある|to exist [inanimate objects]}}。
 
|There is a sound Digdogger hates.}}
 
|There is a sound Digdogger hates.}}
 +
* "Digdogger" is the boss of the dungeon.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 5 and 7, 1st Quest / Level 4 and 8, 2nd Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 5 and 7, 1st Quest / Level 4 and 8, 2nd Quest
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|{{gloss|お金|money}}か{{gloss|命|life}}を{{gloss|置いて|おく to put/place}}{{gloss|ゆけ|ゆく to go}}。
 
|{{gloss|お金|money}}か{{gloss|命|life}}を{{gloss|置いて|おく to put/place}}{{gloss|ゆけ|ゆく to go}}。
 
|Your money or your life!}}
 
|Your money or your life!}}
−
か here indicates a choice - thing A '''or''' thing B.
+
* か here indicates a choice - thing A '''or''' thing B.
−
 
+
* The ～てゆく here indicates a sequence of actions: leave your money or life, then go.
−
The ～てゆく here indicates a sequence of actions: leave your money or life, then go.
+
* ("Life" in this sentence refers to "Life Container".)
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 6, 1st Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 6, 1st Quest
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|{{gloss|妖精|fairy}}の{{gloss|住まぬ|to live}}{{gloss|泉|spring}}には{{gloss|秘密|secret}}{{gloss|ある|to exist [inanimate objects]}}。
 
|{{gloss|妖精|fairy}}の{{gloss|住まぬ|to live}}{{gloss|泉|spring}}には{{gloss|秘密|secret}}{{gloss|ある|to exist [inanimate objects]}}。
 
|There is a secret in the spring where the fairies do not live.}}
 
|There is a secret in the spring where the fairies do not live.}}
−
住まぬ is the classical form of 住まない.
+
* 住まぬ is the classical form of 住まない.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 6, 1st Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 6, 1st Quest
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|ゴーマの{{gloss|目|eye}}を{{gloss|狙え|ねらう to aim at}}。
 
|ゴーマの{{gloss|目|eye}}を{{gloss|狙え|ねらう to aim at}}。
 
|Aim for Gohma's eye.}}
 
|Aim for Gohma's eye.}}
 +
* "Gohma" is the boss of the dungeon.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 6, 2nd Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 6, 2nd Quest
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|{{gloss|眼鏡|glasses}}{{gloss|岩|rock/crag}}は{{gloss|死|death}}への{{gloss|入り口|entrance}}。
 
|{{gloss|眼鏡|glasses}}{{gloss|岩|rock/crag}}は{{gloss|死|death}}への{{gloss|入り口|entrance}}。
 
|Spectacle Rock is the entrance to death.}}
 
|Spectacle Rock is the entrance to death.}}
 +
* A clue for the location of Level 9 aka "Death". In the NES version, the old man gives you this clue in Level 8 instead.
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 8, 1st Quest
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 8, 1st Quest
Line 313: Line 320:
 
|ライオンの{{gloss|鍵|key}}を{{gloss|探せ|さがす to search [for something desired/needed]}}。
 
|ライオンの{{gloss|鍵|key}}を{{gloss|探せ|さがす to search [for something desired/needed]}}。
 
|Search for the lion key.}}
 
|Search for the lion key.}}
 +
* Referring to the "Magical Key" which head is shaped like a lion head. (The dungeon's name in the manual is "Lion").
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 9, both Quests
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 9, both Quests
Line 324: Line 332:
 
|{{gloss|一番上|topmost}}の{{gloss|境目|border/boundary line}}を{{gloss|壊せ|こわす to break/destroy}}。
 
|{{gloss|一番上|topmost}}の{{gloss|境目|border/boundary line}}を{{gloss|壊せ|こわす to break/destroy}}。
 
|Break the topmost barrier.}}
 
|Break the topmost barrier.}}
 +
* {{todo|What could this be referring to?}}
  
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 9, both Quests
 
{{ja-k-en|speaker=Old Man - Level 9, both Quests
Line 347: Line 356:
 
|{{gloss|こうして|thus}}、ハイラルに{{gloss|平和|へいわ peace}}が{{gloss|戻った|もどる to return}}。{{gloss|これで|with this}}、この{{gloss|物語|ものがたり story}}は{{gloss|終わり|おわり the end}}です。
 
|{{gloss|こうして|thus}}、ハイラルに{{gloss|平和|へいわ peace}}が{{gloss|戻った|もどる to return}}。{{gloss|これで|with this}}、この{{gloss|物語|ものがたり story}}は{{gloss|終わり|おわり the end}}です。
 
|Thus, peace returned to Hyrule. With this, this is the end of the story.}}
 
|Thus, peace returned to Hyrule. With this, this is the end of the story.}}
 +
 +
{{ja-k-en|speaker=2nd Quest only
 +
|ゼルダノデンセツ　1　”オワリ”
 +
|ゼルダ伝説１　”終わり”
 +
|The Legend of Zelda 1: The End}}
 +
* The number "1" in the title here seems to have been a little teaser for at the time unreleased sequel as the original FDS version also displays this number in the text.
  
 
== Invitation to Second Quest ==
 
== Invitation to Second Quest ==

Latest revision as of 04:29, 6 April 2024

This translation is intended for people who already know English and are learning Japanese. It is not intended to be used to learn English, because the sentences in English may use strange or awkward wording in order to illustrate the vocabulary and grammar of the original Japanese.
This game's text originally used little to no kanji. We have added kanji in case they would be of interest.

This game was originally known in Japanese as 『THE HYRULE FANTASY ゼルダの伝説』 when released on the Famicom Disk System in 1986, and then as 『THE HYRULE FANTASY ゼルダの伝説１』 (note the explicit "1" added to the name) when it was re-released in Japan on the Famicom cartridge system in 1994.

Due to size restraints in the original game format, all Japanese text is in katakana only (not counting the title screen graphic of course). Kanji and hiragana versions of words may be included below for educational purposes.

Title screen[edit]

Should include a graphic of this... it shows the words "THE HYRULE FANTASY" in small print to the upper left of ゼルダの伝説１ in large print, with the 1 shown extra large to the right (the 1 isn't included in the original Japanese (FDS) or North American (NES) releases). The North American release has the words "THE LEGEND OF" in place of "THE HYRULE FANTASY" and the word "ZELDA" in place of "ゼルダの伝説" (which by itself in Japanese literally means the full "Legend of Zelda").

Whereas other versions use "PUSH START BUTTON", the original Japanese FDS version reads: Bメンヲ　セットシテクダサイ = Please switch to Side B

Items[edit]

These are listed under the heading of "ALL OF TREASURES" and scroll by after the intro above. (The kanji are not used in the game.) Changed to "ALL TREASURES" in later versions of the game.

Kanji Kana English Notes
ハート Heart
命の器 イノチ　ノ　ウツワ Container Heart I believe this is the only Zelda game to use the name "Container Heart". All other Zelda games appear to use the name "Heart Container".　The name in Japanese literally means "Container of Life".
妖精 ヨウセイ Fairy
時計 トケイ Clock
ルピー Rupy Changed to "Rupee" in later versions of the game.
５　ルピー 5 Rupies Changed to "5 Rupees" in later versions of the game.
命の水　青 イノチノミズ　アオ Life Potion Lit: Life Water Blue
命の水　赤 イノチノミズ　アカ 2nd Potion Lit: Life Water Red
手紙 テガミ Letter
餌 エサ Food More specifically, animal food or bait. Human food is 食べ物 (たべもの).
ソード Sword
ホワイト　ソード White Sword
マジカル　ソード Magical Sword
マジカル　シールド Magical Shield
ブーメラン Boomerang
マジカル　ブーメラン Magical Boomerang
爆弾 バクダン Bomb
弓 ユミ Bow
矢 ヤ Arrow
銀の矢 ギン　ノ　ヤ Silver Arrow
蝋燭　青 ロウソク　アオ Blue Candle
蝋燭　赤 ロウソク　アカ Red Candle
指輪　青 ユビワ　アオ Blue Ring
指輪　赤 ユビワ　アカ Red Ring
パワー　ブレスレット Power Bracelet
笛 フエ Recorder
筏 イカダ Raft
梯子 ハシゴ Ladder
マジカル　ロッド Magical Rod
バイブル Book of Magic The English name of this in the original Famicom Disk System version of the game was "Bible", and the katakana here still says the same thing even though the English version was changed to "Book of Magic" for the North American release and later Japanese Famicom cartridge release (which is what we're working from).
キー Key
マジカル　キー Magical Key
地図 チズ Map
コンパス Compass
隠された　知恵の　”トライフォース” カクサレタ　チエノ　”トライフォース” Triforce Lit: Hidden Triforce of Wisdom

After showing these, Link holds up a note saying:

Japanese
詳しい事は本を見て下さい。
Reading
くわしい　ことは　ほんを　みてください。
English
For detailed information, look at the book.

Character creation and loading screens[edit]

Japanese Meaning
オマチクダサイ Please wait
セレクトシテクダサイ Please select
ナマエ　トウロク Name registration
トウロク　オワル End registration

Inventory screen[edit]

Japanese Meaning
Bボタンデ　ツカウ　タカラ Treasure that can be used with the B button
トライフォース Triforce

Continue / Save / Retry screen[edit]

If you run out of hearts while playing, you'll be presented with the following 3 options:

  • ツヅケル -CONTINUE-
  • オワル -SAVE- (Lit: End)
  • ヤリナオス -RETRY-

Choosing "ツヅケル -CONTINUE-" will either put you back at the very start of the overworld if you're not in a dungeon, or back at the starting room of a dungeon if you died inside one, with only 3 hearts (6 hit points) full.

The option "ヤリナオス -RETRY-" will quit the game without saving.

Dialogue[edit]

Starting Cave - Old Man with Sword

Japanese
ヒトリデハキケンジャ　コレヲ　サズケヨウ
Kanji
一人では危険じゃ。これを授けよう。
English
It's dangerous [to go] alone. I'll give you this.
  • 一人 literally means "one person". However, when 一人で　is used it has a strong connotation of "alone". In this context it can also be spelled 独り. 自分で has a similar but distinct connotation.

Old Man with White Sword and Magical Sword

Japanese
ツカイコナセルナラ　コレヲ　サズケヨウ
Kanji
使いこなせるなら、これを授けよう。
English
If you can master this, I will give it to you.

Old Man - Warp Zones

Japanese
スキナミチヲユケ
Kanji
好きな道を行け。
English
Go any way you like.
  • ゆく is just a variant of いく that is particularly associated with old codgers.

Old Man - Secret Cave

Japanese
ユキドマリノキニハ　ヒミツガアル
Kanji
行き止まりの木には秘密がある。
English
There is a secret in the tree at the dead end.

Old Man - Money-Making Game

Japanese
オカネヲフヤス　ゲームヲスルカイ
Kanji
お金を増やすゲームをするかい？
English
Want to play the money-making game?
  • かい is a variant of the question marker typically used by men. It is gentler and friendlier than using か, which tends to be abrupt when used with the plain form.

Old Man - Secret Caves

Japanese
ドアノシュウリダイヲ　モラウゾ　
Kanji
ドアの修理代をもらうぞ。
English
I will receive the cost of the door repair.
  • In other words: pay up!

Old Man with Letter

Japanese
コレヲ　オバアサンニ　ミセテゴラン
Kanji
これをおばあさんに見せてごらん。
English
Show this to the old woman.

Old Woman

Japanese
ハカバノジイサンニアエ
Kanji
墓場のじいさんに会え。
English
Meet the old man in the graveyard.

Old Woman - Medicine Shops

Japanese
クスリヲカッテユキナサイ
Kanji
薬を買って行きなさい。
English
Buy some medicine before you go.
  • This can be parsed one of two ways: "Buy some medicine and go" (more naturally expressed as "Take some medicine with you"), or "Go, [being in a state of] having bought some medicine." This latter parsing is where the idea of "before" comes from in our chosen translation.

Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods

Japanese
タダデハ　ハナセナイヨ
Kanji
ただでは、話せないよ！
English
I cannot talk for free!
  • In an earlier version of this translation, we did not have the context of this sentence and misinterpeted ただでは as a phrase meaning "I will get my revenge", because that's the EDICT entry for that phrase. Remember: it pays to pay attention to context!

Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods, when not given enough money

Japanese
コレデハ　イエナイネ
Kanji
これでは言えないね。
English
With this much, I cannot talk.

Old Woman - Under Waterfall, when paid the right amount

Japanese
コノサキノ　ヤマヲ　ウエヘ　ウエヘ　ト　ユケ
Kanji
この先の山を上へ上へと行け。
English
Go up, up the mountain ahead.
  • Here doubling of 上へ merely emphasizes it; an idiomatic translation would be something like "way up".

Old Woman - Cave, South of the Lost Woods, when paid the right amount

Japanese
マヨイノモリヲ　キタ　ニシ　ミナミ　ニシ　ヘ
Kanji
迷いの森を北、西、南、西へ。
English
[To go] through the Lost Woods, [go] north, west, south, west.

Old Woman - Under Waterfall / Cave, South of the Lost Woods, when given too much money

Japanese
アンタオカネモチダネ
Kanji
あんたお金持ちだね。
English
You're rich, aren't you?

Shopkeeper

Japanese
ナンカコウテクレヤ
Kanji
なんか買うてくれや！
English
Buy somethin', will ya?
  • This man is speaking Kansai-ben. This is probably invoking at least one of several stereotypes of people from Osaka (the most well-known subdialect of Kansai): they tend to be perceived as rude, loudmouthed, boisterous, and mercantilistic. Kansai-ben speakers also tend to be perceived as funny, because many comedians are from Kansai. So an Osakan (or the Hyrule equivalent) rudely demanding that you buy something is probably funny for the same reason the Rich Texan Guy from The Simpsons is funny.
  • In Standard Japanese, the te form of 買う (かう) is かって. In Kansai-ben, 買う is still かう, but its te form becomes こうて.
  • なんか is short for 何か.
  • や here is Kansai-ben for よ.

Shopkeeper - Secret Shops

Japanese
コレハネウチモノデッセ
Kanji
これは値打ちものでっせ。
English
This is expensive stuff, man.
  • でっせ is Kansai-ben for ですよ.

Old Man - Secret Caves, Red Potion or Life Container

Japanese
スキナ　ホウヲ サズケヨウ
Kanji
好きな方を授けよう。
English
I'll give you the one you want.
  • 方 here means to select among two options.

Moblin with Rupees - Secret Caves

Japanese
ミンナニ　ナイショダヨ
Kanji
皆に内緒だよ。
English
It's a secret to everybody.
  • "Moblins"(モリブリン) are common enemies in the game, but if you find their secret caves they'll give you money.

Hungry Moblin - Level 7, 1st Quest / Level 3 and 8, 2nd Quest

Japanese
ブツ　ブツ　・・・・
Kanji
ぶつぶつ・・・・
English
Grumble...

Old Man - Level 1, 1st Quest

Japanese
オカネガナクナレバ　ヤ　ハ　ツカエナイ
Kanji
お金がなくなれば、矢は使えない。
English
If you don't have money, you can't use arrows.

Old Man - Level 2, 1st Quest

Japanese
ドドンゴ　ハ　ケムリヲ　キラウ
Kanji
ドドンゴは煙を嫌う。
English
Dodongo hates smoke.
  • "Dodongo" is the boss of the dungeon.

Old Man - Level 3, 1st Quest

Japanese
タキノウエノジイサンニ　ケンヲ　モラッタカイ
Kanji
滝の上のじいさんに剣をもらったかい？
English
Did you get the sword from the old man at the top of the waterfall?

Old Man - Level 4, 1st Quest

Japanese
タキ　ノ　ナカ　ニ ハイレ
Kanji
滝の中に入れ。
English
Enter the waterfall.

Old Man - Level 5, 1st Quest

Japanese
オトニヨワイ　イキモノガイル
Kanji
音に弱い生き物がいる。
English
There is a creature that is weak against noise/sound.
  • This is a hint to use the Famicom's microphone feature, which was absent on the NES.

Old Man - Level 5, 1st Quest

Japanese
デグドガニハ　キライナ　オトガ　アル
Kanji
デグドガには嫌いな音がある。
English
There is a sound Digdogger hates.
  • "Digdogger" is the boss of the dungeon.

Old Man - Level 5 and 7, 1st Quest / Level 4 and 8, 2nd Quest

Japanese
バクダンヲ　モット　モチタイジャロウ
Kanji
爆弾をもっと持ちたいじゃろう。
English
You want to carry more bombs, don't you?

Old Man - Level 4, 2nd Quest

Japanese
ヤジルシノ　サキノ　ミチヘ　ユケバ・・・
Kanji
矢印の先の道へ行けば・・・
English
If you go in the direction of the arrow...

Old Man - Level 4 and 7, 2nd Quest

Japanese
オカネカ　イノチヲ　オイテユケ
Kanji
お金か命を置いてゆけ。
English
Your money or your life!
  • か here indicates a choice - thing A or thing B.
  • The ～てゆく here indicates a sequence of actions: leave your money or life, then go.
  • ("Life" in this sentence refers to "Life Container".)

Old Man - Level 6, 1st Quest

Japanese
ヨウセイノスマヌイズミニハ　ヒミツガアル
Kanji
妖精の住まぬ泉には秘密ある。
English
There is a secret in the spring where the fairies do not live.
  • 住まぬ is the classical form of 住まない.

Old Man - Level 6, 1st Quest

Japanese
ゴーマ　ノ　メヲネラエ
Kanji
ゴーマの目を狙え。
English
Aim for Gohma's eye.
  • "Gohma" is the boss of the dungeon.

Old Man - Level 6, 2nd Quest

Japanese
ミズウミノ　キタ　ニハ　ヒミツガ　アル
Kanji
湖の北には秘密がある。
English
There is a secret north of the lake.

Old Man - Level 7, 1st Quest

Japanese
メガネイワ　ハ　シヘノ　イリグチ
Kanji
眼鏡岩は死への入り口。
English
Spectacle Rock is the entrance to death.
  • A clue for the location of Level 9 aka "Death". In the NES version, the old man gives you this clue in Level 8 instead.

Old Man - Level 8, 1st Quest

Japanese
デスマウンテンデ　ヤヲ　サガセ
Kanji
デスマウンテンで矢を探せ。
English
Search for an arrow on Death Mountain.

Old Man - Level 8, 1st Quest

Japanese
ライオンノカギヲサガセ
Kanji
ライオンの鍵を探せ。
English
Search for the lion key.
  • Referring to the "Magical Key" which head is shaped like a lion head. (The dungeon's name in the manual is "Lion").

Old Man - Level 9, both Quests

Japanese
トライフォースヲ　モタヌモノハ　トオセナイ
Kanji
トライフォースを持たぬ者は通せない。
English
Those without the Triforce cannot pass.

持たぬ = 持たない

Old Man - Level 9, 1st Quest

Japanese
イチバンウエ　ノ　サカ　イメヲ　コワセ
Kanji
一番上の境目を壊せ。
English
Break the topmost barrier.
  • TODO — What could this be referring to?

Old Man - Level 9, both Quests

Japanese
トナリノヘヤヘ　ユケ
Kanji
となりの部屋へ行け。
English
Go to the next room.

Old Man - Level 9, 1st Quest

Japanese
アカイユビワヲ　ミツケタカイ
Kanji
赤い指輪を見つけたかい？
English
Did you find the red ring?

Ending[edit]

Japanese
アリガトウ　リンク　アナタハ

ハイラル　ノ　エイユウデス

Kanji
ありがとう、リンク。あなたはハイラルの英雄です。
English
Thanks Link. You're the hero of Hyrule.
Japanese
コウシテ　ハイラル　ニ　ヘイワガ　モドッタ

コレデ　コノ　モノガタリ　ハ　オワリデス

Kanji
こうして、ハイラルに平和が戻った。これで、この物語は終わりです。
English
Thus, peace returned to Hyrule. With this, this is the end of the story.

2nd Quest only

Japanese
ゼルダノデンセツ　1　”オワリ”
Kanji
ゼルダ伝説１　”終わり”
English
The Legend of Zelda 1: The End
  • The number "1" in the title here seems to have been a little teaser for at the time unreleased sequel as the original FDS version also displays this number in the text.

Invitation to Second Quest[edit]

Japanese
イマカラ　モウヒトツノ　タビ　ガ　ハジマリマス

スタートボタン　ヲ　オシテクダサイ

Kanji
今からもう一つのたびが始まります。スタート・ボタンを押してください。
English
Starting now, a new adventure is beginning. Press the Start button!
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