I'm trying to write "this is not a praise/compliment." I consulted my friend
about it and he said I wrote "I'm not praising you!" Like I'm being
defensive... what do you think?
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2018-02-11T13:11:43.810
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2018-02-14T00:28:16.457
2018-02-11T16:15:45.217
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question
translation nuances colloquial-language aspect
褒めてねえぞ sounds defensive?
The expression 褒めてねえぞ would be used following a statement which the other
party could have misinterpreted criticism as praise and you want to clarify
your intent. In this sense, it can seem defensive.

「褒め言葉じゃないんですが、」 or 「褒めてるわけじゃないけど、」 would seem more appropriate if you want to
lead your sentence with 'This is not praise/a compliment'.

Without more context, it would be difficult to tell whether this would be the
most appropriate expression to use.
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2018-02-11T16:30:47.833
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2018-02-14T00:28:16.457
2018-02-14T00:28:16.457
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answer