This lesson introduces a huge step in your Japanese journey: the “short form” (普通形). This is the casual, non-polite version of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. It’s used everywhere—in conversations with friends, in song lyrics, and in many important grammar patterns.
1. The Short Form: A Quick Guide
The short form is the opposite of the polite form (〜ます or 〜です). Here’s how to create it for each word type:
2. The Short Form in Informal Speech
Once you know the short form, you can use it in casual conversation. The polite endings 「です」 and 「ます」 are dropped.
- Polite: 明日、図書館に行きます。
- Casual: 明日、図書館に行く。I’m going to the library tomorrow.
- Polite: あの人は元気です。
- Casual: あの人は元気だ。That person is energetic.
When you respond, you can also use the short form.
- Friend A: きのう、パーティーに行った？ (Did you go to a party yesterday?)
- Friend B: うん、行ったよ。 (Yeah, I went.)
- Friend B: ううん、行かなかった。 (No, I didn’t go.)
Short Form and Social Status
When to use the short form depends on your relationship with the person you’re speaking to. It’s very important to know that you should only use the short form with friends, family, or people younger than you. Using it with someone of higher social status, like a teacher or your boss, can be considered rude.
However, in many situations, a person in a higher position may use the short form to you. In this case, you should still respond using the polite form.
Example 1: Teacher and Student
- Teacher: 日本語の授業はおもしろい？Sato-san, is the Japanese class interesting?
- Student: はい、とてもおもしろいです。Yes, it’s very interesting.(Note: The student uses the polite form to the teacher.)
Example 2: Boss and Employee
- Boss: 田中さん、今日の会議は午後だよ。Tanaka-san, today’s meeting is in the afternoon.
- Employee: はい、わかりました。Yes, I understand.(Note: The employee uses the polite form to the boss.)
Giving Your Opinion: Verb + 「と思います」 (to omoimasu）
One of the most common uses of the short form is to express what you think. You use the short form of a verb, adjective, or noun and add 「と思います」 (to omoimasu), which means “I think that…”
The short form comes immediately before 「と思います」.
- 私は、メアリーさんは日本語が上手だ と思います。I think Mary is good at Japanese.
- 私は、この本は面白い と思います。I think this book is interesting.
- 私は、明日雨が降る と思います。I think it will rain tomorrow.
Quoting Someone: Verb + 「と言っていました」 (to itte imashita)
The short form is also used when you want to quote something someone else said. You use the short form of a verb, adjective, or noun and add 「と言っていました」 (to itte imashita), which means “someone said that…”
- メアリーさんは、明日学校に行かない と言っていました。Mary said that she won’t go to school tomorrow.
- 田中さんは、日本語は難しい と言っていました。Tanaka-san said that Japanese is difficult.
Describing Hobbies: Verb + 「の」 が 好きです
You can turn a verb into a noun by adding the particle 「の」 (no) after the short form. This allows you to talk about a favorite activity as if it were an object.
- Verb Short Form + の
Now you can use this new noun to talk about likes and dislikes.
- 私は 映画を 見る の が 好きです。I like watching movies.
- 私は 料理を する の が 下手です。I am bad at cooking.
With these new grammar patterns, you can express your thoughts, quote others, and talk about your hobbies. You’re now one step closer to speaking Japanese like a native!