While hanging out with a group of girls this weekend, I inevitably ended up listening to all kinds of chit-chat that, after a little introspection, I realized I couldn't care less about.

It was どうでもいい話ばっかり。
どう　でも　いい　はなし　ばっかり。
Full of topics that don't matter.
Literally: 'not matter + discussions + only'

Note: 'どうでもいい' is a standard expression used whenever you consider something to not be important. It's the Japanese version of 'whatever'.

That said, it's not like we gossiped or anything. I just realized how little I care about what I want to name my future children (if I ever decide to make any myself) or what would be the best amount of time to spend together with your s/o daily. I do feel bad for my friends, but I couldn't care less.

友達には悪いけど、ほんとどうでもいい。
ともだち　に　は　わるい　けど、ほんと　どう　でも　いい。
I feel bad (towards my friends) for saying this, but I really don't care (about such topics).
Literally:' friends + towards + sorry / regretful + but + seriously + don't care'

Note: In case you didn't know already 'ほんと' is the casual 'chill' version of 本当/ほんとう/really

Now, this is a good expression thingy to learn:

Someone + に（は） +悪い/ わるい (normal and casual)
or
Someone + に（は） + 申し訳ない/もうしわけない (formal and respectful)

they both mean "I feel sorry towards + someone". It is mostly used for when your actions or words could possibly hurt someone ('s feelings) but you either can't help it or you just decide to do/say it regardless. It is often followed by a 'けど/but,' though not always.

And in that case, mostly には is used, not just は or に. It's a bit hard to explain why, but basically it's because you feel sorry only for(=には) someone but not yourself or others. This is the kind of thing you pick up naturally at higher levels of Japanese immersion.

Xには悪いけど...
X　に　は　わるい　けど...
I feel sorry towards x, but...
Literally: 'X + に + sorry + but'

For the example earlier, the nuance is, "I feel sorry towards my friends (as I don't want to upset them), but (I am not into talking about this stuff)."

There is also a more formal version:

先生には申し訳ないが、説明が分かりづらい。
せんせい　に　は　もうしわけない　が、　せつめい　が　わかり　づらい。
I feel bad (towards my teacher) for saying this, but I can't understand her explanations.
Literally: 'teacher + に + sorry + but + explanation + が + hard to understand.'

You can also

先に食べたら皆に悪いよ。
さきに　たべたら　みんな　に　わるいよ。
It's not fair to everyone else if we eat before them. // I'd feel bad if we ate before everyone else.
Literally: "before + if ate + everyone + に + bad + よ."

いつもミスばかりして、同僚に申し訳ない。
いつも　ミス　ばかり　して、 どうりょう　に　もうしわけない。
I feel bad towards my coworkers for messing up all the time.
Literally: "always + miss + only + do (and), + coworkers + に + sorry."
Note: Both ばかり and ばっかり would be fine here.

But I noticed this pattern when talking with men as well. At least with some former Japanese colleagues of mine with which I meet up from time to time. I watch them having really boring conversations, and I can't for the life of me imagine where they find the motivation to keep the discussion going.

Maybe I'm just antisocial though, this would make more sense instead of blaming it on everyone else.

そっちの方がありえるね。
そっち　の　ほう　が　ありえる　ね。
That's probably it. // That's more likely.
Literally: 'that + の + direction + が + is likely + ね.'

Standard expression incoming

X + の方が
X + の　ほう　が
X + more so / leaning towards

This is used when you have two things to choose from, and, as you can't really be direct and speak your mind in a frank manner, you go for the Japanese method of "leaning towards one ".

Literally speaking, 方 means 'direction' so ’その方が’ roughly translates to 'the direction of that (is preferred.)"
In the example above, instead of preference, I am debating the degree of probability.

どっちにしても、もっと面白い話がしたい。
どっち　に　しても、もっと　おもしろい　はなし　が　したい。
Whichever the case, I would really love to talk about more interesting stuff.
Literally: 'Either way + more + interesting + discussion + が + want to make'.

Now here's another standard expression: "どっちにしても"
The basic meaning is "either way". A literal translation would be "either way (you) make it".

どっちにしても
どっち　に　しても
Either way / whatever the case
Literally: "which way + に + make + も"

Some variations include:

どっちにしろ
どっち　に　しろ

and

どちらにしても
どちら　に　しても
(slightly more elegant version)

例えば、宇宙の話がしたい。
たとえば、うちゅう　の　はなし　が　したい。
For example, I would like to talk about space.
Literally: 'example, + space + の + discussion +が + want to make'

Here is another good thingy to learn.
～の話
～の　はなし
A discussion about ~

Whenever you want to bring up a topic, you can just say:

何々の話しようよ。
なになに + の + はなし + しよう + よ
Let's talk about [something]
Literally: 'something-something + の + discussion + let's do + よ.'

So what do you want to talk about? Think about it and practice your Japanese.
You will remember things much easier when you are fascinated by the topic.

Have fun and see you next time!

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This lesson was written by Adriana, a guest contributor.