← Back to summaries Open the full lesson →
N4普通形(2)
Plain Form (2): Casual Speech
Using plain form to actually talk casually — what drops, what changes, what stays polite.
From です/ます to casual
Plain form + dropped particles + rising pitch for questions. 食べますか→食べる? 高いです→高い. 学生です→学生(だ).
Common contractions
〜ている→〜てる, 〜ておく→〜とく, 〜てしまう→〜ちゃう, 〜なければならない→〜なきゃ, 〜という→〜って.
Register is a choice
Plain form with people close to or below you. Keep です/ます with strangers, customers, teachers, elders you don't know well.
Example usage
ねえ、宿題 もう やった? — まだ やってない。
Hey, did you already do the homework? — Not yet.
今 手が ふさがってるから、あとで やっとくね。
My hands are full right now, so I'll take care of it later.
早く 出なきゃ、遅刻するよ。
I have to leave soon or I'll be late.
Your notes
Saved ✓Saved in this browser only — jot down what still trips you up.