Minna no Nihongo1(Lesson20) Explanation in English

A1・2 ふつうけい（plain-form）

Meaning：

• Japanese language has two styles of speech: polite style(ていねいけい) and plain style(ふつうけい).

Note：

※Polite form

• When there is social distance: People you meet for the first time or people you are not close to yet (including those of the same age or younger).
• When showing respect: People of higher status, your boss, or your teachers.

※Plain form

• Close relationships: Family and close friends.
• Equal relationships: Colleagues you are close with.　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Conversation in the plain form（Verb／い-adj）

Note：

• In the plain form, questions usually do not use the particle“か”. Instead, they end with a rising intonation, like“のむ? (⤴)”.

Example：

• ジュースを飲のむ？…うん、飲のむ。／ううん、飲のまない。- Want some juice? … Yeah, I’ll have some. / No, I’m good.
• 昨日きのうは何なにをした？…映画えいがを見みた。- What’d you do yesterday? … I watched a movie.
• それ、おいしい？…うん、おいしいよ。／ううん、おいしくない。- Is it good? … Yeah, it’s good. / No, not really.

Conversation in the plain form（な-adj／Noun）

Note：

• When asking a question with a noun or a な-adjective, the copula“だ”is omitted. For affirmative answers, ending a sentence with“だ”can sound slightly blunt or abrupt. Adding“よ”at the end of a sentence makes your tone softer and friendlier. It is used when you are giving the listener new information.

Example：

• 明日あした、ひま？…うん、ひま(だよ)。- Are you free tomorrow? … Yeah, I am.
• 彼かれは会社員かいしゃいん？…ううん、会社員かいしゃいんじゃない(よ)。- Is he an office worker? … No, he isn’t.
• 仕事しごとはどう？…大変たいへん(だよ)。- How’s work? … It’s tough.
• パーティーはどうだった？…楽たのしかった(よ)。- How was the party? … It was fun.

Plain form in grammar

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