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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(しゅくだい) もう やった? — まだ やってない。

    Hey, did you already do the homework? — Not yet.

  • 今(いま) 手(て)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(はや)く 出(で)なきゃ、遅刻(ちこく)するよ。

    I have to leave soon or I'll be late.

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