Learn Japanese fast! To find the right path, you need to know when and how to use formal and informal Japanese. Whether you are talking to a new acquaintance, a friend, an elderly person, etc., the person you are speaking to in Japanese makes a difference, and simple phrases can sound very different. In this article for Japanese beginners, you will find a comprehensive review of formal and informal adjective conjugations. See firsthand how different a simple sentence like “Not expensive” is depending on whether you are using formal or informal Japanese. Simple graphics and numerous example sentences ensure that you are 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 – “grandmother, grandmother”

riyakaa – “two-wheeled cart”

rickshaw – “pedicab”

hayai – “fast, fast” (adjective ending -i)

kimochi – “feeling”

noru – “mount, carry, climb” (class 1 verb)

abunai – “dangerous” (adjective ending -i)

a score (n / A) – “safe, safe” (-na ending adjective)

soreni – “in addition, in addition”

Grammar: In this article, you will learn the following words and phrases:

Useful phrases and vocabulary

abunai – “dangerous”

People shout Abunai! when someone is in danger. This phrase corresponds to “Watch out!” or “Watch out!” in English.

For instance:

  1. A, abunai! “Hey, be careful!”



kimochi ii – “feel good”

  • Kimochi (ga) ii – “feel good”
  • Kimochi (ga) warui – “feel bad”



omoshiros – “looks interesting”

When an adjective precedes soo, the meaning of “seem” is added.

  • [adjective] + soo = “look …” / “smells …” / “sounds …”, etc. For more information, see Nihongo Doojoo Meet the Parents Series Season 4 – Item 7

Training

–i Final adjectives:

-i Adjective / Drop –I and add soo

omoshiroi / omoshirosoo

tanoshii / tanoshisoo

-na Final adjectives:

-na Adjective / Drop –n / A and add soo

a score (n / A) / anzensoo

blessed (n / A) / benrisoo

Exception!!

ii / yosasoo

Examples of

  1. Kono keeki, oishisoo.
    “This cake looks delicious.”
  2. Kimochi yosasoo. “That looks comfortable.”

Grammar review

In this article, we will learn more about formal and informal speech by reviewing adjective conjugations.

For instance:

  1. “It is not expensive.”
    Formal:     Takaku arimasen.
    Informal: Takakunai.

As you have learned, there are two types of adjectives in Japanese: -I ending adjectives and -n / A final adjectives.

For more information on:

Basic use of adjectives watch Nihongo Doojoo Newbie Series Welcome to Style You: Articles 11-15.

Combine two or more adjectives: watch Nihongo Doojoo Newbie Series Style You and Beyond: Articles 15 and 16.

Formal speech:

Part of speech / Affirmative / Negative

Verb (class 1) / kikimasu / kikimasen

Adjective (-I ending) / takai desu / takakunai desu, takakuarimasen

Adjective (irregular) / ii desu / yokunai desu, yokuarimasen

Adjective (-n / A ending) / anzen desu / anzen janai desu, anzen ja 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) / suru / shinai

Verb (class 3) / kuru / konai

Adjective (-I ending) / takai / takakunai

Adjective (irregular) / ii / yokunai

Adjective (-n / A ending) / anzen desu / anzen janai

Noun / Kuruma gives / kuruma janai

you Form of adjectives

We use the you adjective form to combine two or more adjectives.

  • -I adjective ending: Replace the ending –I with –kute

For instance:

  1. taka I becomes taka kute
  2. omoshiro I becomes omoshiro kute
  3. I I becomes me kute (irregular)
  • -n / A adjective ending: Add –from to dictionary form

For instance:

  1. a score becomes a score from
  2. blessed becomes blessed from

Check

Rewrite the following sentences in their informal forms.

  1. Watashi wa mainichi ongaku or kikimasu.

  2. Sore wa hyaku-en desu.

  3. Doitsu no kuruma wa takai desu.

  4. Tokio no chikatetsu wa benri de anzen desu.

Rewrite the following sentences in their formal forms.

  1. Ashita, watashi wa gakkoo ni iku.

  2. Kono keeki wa oishikunai.

  3. Tokyo wa anzende omoshiroi machi da.

  4. Nyuuyooku no chikatetsu wa yasukute benri da.