Learn Japanese fast! To find the correct way, you need to know when and how to use formal and informal Japanese. Whether you’re talking to a new acquaintance, a friend, an elder, etc., the person you’re speaking to in Japanese makes all the difference, and simple phrases can sound very different. In this Japanese for Beginners article, you’ll find a complete review of formal and informal adjective conjugations. See firsthand how different a sentence as simple as “It’s not expensive” is based on whether you’re using formal or informal Japanese. The simple graphics and abundant example sentences ensure that you will feel completely comfortable with the nuances of formal and informal Japanese.
Vocabulary: In this article, you will learn the following words and phrases:
o-baa-chan – “grandma, grandmother”
Riyakaa – “cart with two wheels”
rickshaw – “rickshaw”
hayai – “fast, fast” (final adjective -i)
kimochi – “feeling”
noru – “to ride, to take, to get on” (class 1 verb)
abunai – “dangerous” (final adjective -i)
Anzen (n/a) – “safe, protected” (final adjective -na)
soreni – “in addition, in addition”
Grammar: In this article, you will learn the following words and phrases:
Vocabulary and useful phrases
abunai – “dangerous”
people call Abunai! when someone is in danger. This sentence corresponds to “Watch out!” or “Watch out!” in English.
For example:
- Ah, Abunai! “Hey, watch out!”
kimochi ii – “feel good”
- Kimochi(ga)ii- “feel good”
- Kimochi(ga)warui – “feel bad”
omoshiros – “Interesting aspects”
When an adjective precedes sooooothe meaning of “apparent” is added.
- [adjective] + sooooo = “looks…” / “smells…” / “sounds…”, etc. For more information, see Nihongo Doojoo Beginner Series Season 4 Meet the Parents: Item 7
Training
–i Adjective ending:
-i Adjective / Drop-Yo and add sooooo
omoshiroi / omoshirosoo
tanoshii / tanoshisoo
-na Adjective ending:
Adjective -na/Drop-n/a and add sooooo
Anzen (n/a)/ anzensoo
beni (n/a) / benrisoo
Exception!!
I / yasaoo
examples
-
Kono keeki, oishisoo.
“This cake looks delicious.” - kimochi yosasOh. “That looks comfortable.”
Grammar review
In this article, we are going to learn more about formal and informal speech by reviewing adjective conjugations.
For example:
- “Not expensive.”
Formal: Takaku arimasen.
informal: takakunai.
As you have learned, there are two types of adjectives in Japanese: -Yo final adjectives and -n/a final adjectives.
For more information on:
Basic use of adjectives see Nihongo Doojoo Beginner Series Welcome to Style You: Articles 11-15.
Combine two or more adjectives: see Nihongo Doojoo Style You and Beyond Beginner Series: Articles 15 and 16.
formal speech:
part of speech / affirmative / Negative
Verb (class 1) / kikimasu / kikimasen
adjective(-Yo ending) / takai desu / takakunai desu, takakuarimasen
adjective (irregular) / I desu / yokunai desu, yokuarimasen
adjective(-n/a ending) / anzen desu / anzen janai desu, anzen ha arimasen, anzen dewa arimasen
Noun / kuruma desu / Kuruma Janai Desu, kuruma ja arimasen, kuruma dewa arimasen
informal speech:
part of speech / affirmative / Negative
Verb (class 1) / kiku / kikanai
Verb (class 2) / miru / minai
Verb (class 3) / sure / Shinai
Verb (class 3) / kuru / konai
adjective (-Yo ending) / takai / takakunai
adjective (irregular) / I / yokunai
adjective (-n/a ending) / anzen desu / Anzen Janai
/ kuruma da / kuruma janai
you form of adjectives
we use the you form of adjectives to combine two or more adjectives.
- -Yo final adjective: Replace the ending –Yo with-cute
For example:
- toka Yo becomes toka cute
- omoshiro Yo becomes omoshiro cute
- Yo Yo becomes I cute (irregular)
- -n/a final adjective: Add-of in dictionary form
For example:
- Anzen becomes Anzen of
- beni becomes beni of
Review
Please rewrite the following sentences in their informal forms.
- Watashi wa mainichi ongaku o kikimasu.
- Sore wa hyaku-en desu.
- Doitsu no kuruma wa takai desu.
- Tokyo no chikatetsu wa benri de anzen desu.
Please rewrite the following sentences in their formal forms.
- Ashita, watashi wa gakkoo ni iku.
- Kono keeki wa oishikunai.
- Tokyo wa anzende omoshiroi machi da.
- Nyuuyooku no chikatetsu wa yasukute benri da.
