01
PATTERN
polite form ↔ plain form
Plain style uses dictionary, ない, た, and なかった verb forms. It is common with friends, family, and quoted clauses.
EXAMPLE · 例文明日 東京 へ 行く。
I’m going to Tokyo tomorrow.
第20課 · COMPLETE LESSON
ふつうたい
Casual speech
Grammar first. Vocabulary ready when you are.These notes follow the grammar progression in the supplied Kanrin / Minna no Nihongo material. Each rule is summarized in English and paired with a fresh Japanese example, reading support, and translation.
GRAMMAR NOTES · 文法Build the pattern.
Build the pattern.
Then see it move.
Read the rule, cover the translation, and say the Japanese example aloud once.
02
PATTERN
plain adjective／noun forms
い-adjectives keep their plain forms; nouns and な-adjectives use だ, じゃない, だった, and じゃなかった.
EXAMPLE · 例文昨日 は 暇 だった。
I was free yesterday.
03
PATTERN
casual questions
In casual speech, rising intonation can replace か. A question word may stand alone when context is clear.
EXAMPLE · 例文何 食べる？
What will you eat?
04
PATTERN
particle omission／てる
Particles understood from context are often omitted in conversation, and ている commonly contracts to てる.
EXAMPLE · 例文今 何 してる？
What are you doing now?
05
PATTERN
けど
けど connects contrasting ideas and also softens a sentence or leaves a request implied.
EXAMPLE · 例文その 店 は 高い けど、おいしい。
That shop is expensive, but delicious.
LESSON WORDS · 語彙
Open spaced repetition →22 words from this lesson.
need, require [a visa]
check, investigate
repair
I (an informal equivalent of わたし used by men)
you (an informal equivalent of あなた used to address people of equal or lower status)
Mr. (an informal equivalent of ～さん used to address people of equal or lower status; also often appended to boys' names)
yes (an informal equivalent of はい)
no (an informal equivalent of いいえ)
word, language
kimono (traditional Japanese attire)
visa
the beginning
the end of ～, The End
this way, this place (an informal equivalent of こちら)
that way, that place near the listener (an informal equivalent of そちら)
that way, that place over there (an informal equivalent of あちら)
which one (between two things), which way, where (an informal equivalent of dochira)
all together
～, but (an informal equivalent of が)
(I'm) full
if you like
various