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Japanese Grammar: Plain style and Polite style, 普通体(ふつうたい)と丁寧体(ていねいたい)|JLPT N5

2024年5月21日火曜日

Elementary grammar N5

In this lesson, you will learn how to use 普通体(ふつうたい)and 丁寧体(ていねいたい) in Japanese.


You have forgotten when your next Kanji test is.
Ask your friends in the same class.

What should you say in Japanese?

漢字テストはいつ?(かんじテストは いつ?)」
⇒ 普通体(ふつうたい), plain style

Your friends are not sure of the date.
Then, ask your teacher.

漢字テストはいつですか?(かんじテストは いつですか?)」
⇒ 丁寧体(ていねいたい), polite style

Japanese has two different sentence styles: 普通体(ふつうたい), plain style and 丁寧体(ていねいたい), polite style.


👉<Use>

Sentences without です or ます at the end are called 普通体(ふつうたい), plain style.

普通体 is used with close people such as friends and family, and in written language like diaries, newspapers, and articles.

Sentences with です or ます at the end are called 丁寧体(ていねいたい), polite style.

丁寧体 is used when speaking to teachers, superiors, people you are not close to, or people you meet for the first time.


👉<Form>

Sentences in the plain style end in the plain form, while sentences in the polite style end in the polite form.

おまつりに 行った
行った:普通形

おまつりに 行きました
行きました:丁寧形

・💁 Explanation of Plain form and Polite form ↓↓


👉<Examples>

I buy milk at the supermarket.

I took a walk in the park.

I didn’t borrow a book at the library yesterday.

The curry at ABC Restaurant is delicious.

I’m not very busy this week.

The sea in Okinawa is very beautiful.

Mr. Suzuki was well.

It wasn’t rainy last Sunday.

Mr. Kurosawa is not a student.

I want to go to Hokkaido during summer vacation.

Ms. Wang is on the phone now.

You must not use this ballpoint pen.


👉<Conversations>

・In casual conversation, “だ” disappears from nouns and な-adjectives in affirmative and interrogative sentences.

・The question particle “か” is not used. Rising intonation shows a question.

・In casual conversation, particles may be dropped.

・“うん” and “ううん” are used instead of “はい” and “いいえ”.

“Long time no see. How are you?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Are you off tomorrow?”
“No, I’m not.”

“Can I use this ballpoint pen?”
“Yeah, sure.”

“Do you want some chocolate?”
“Yes, I do. Thank you.”

“Where did you go for summer vacation?”
“I went to Hokkaido.”

“Do you want to go to the movies?”
“Sorry. I’m a little busy today.”

“What are you doing now?”
“I’m cleaning my room.”