Japanese is a language that places great importance on politeness and respect. As a result, there are distinct differences between formal and informal speech in the language. Understanding when to use formal or informal language is essential for effective communication in Japanese, as it can greatly influence the tone of your conversation and the level of respect you convey. In this article, we will explore the key differences between formal and informal speech, when to use each, and how to adapt your language to different social contexts.

1. Overview of Formal and Informal Speech

Japanese has two main levels of politeness in speech:

• Formal Speech (丁寧語, teineigo): Used in professional, public, or respectful settings, and when speaking to superiors or people you are not familiar with.
• Informal Speech (普通体, futsūtai): Used with friends, family, and people of the same age or lower social standing, such as close colleagues.

Formal speech often involves more polite verb endings and specific honorifics, while informal speech is more direct and casual. Mastering when and how to use these two levels of speech is crucial for effective communication in Japanese.

2. Verb Forms in Formal vs. Informal Speech

One of the most noticeable differences between formal and informal speech is the verb form. In formal speech, verbs are conjugated in a polite manner, while in informal speech, the verb forms are more straightforward.

Formal Verb Endings (Polite Form)

In formal speech, verbs are conjugated using the polite ending -ます (-masu) for non-past (present/future) tense, and -ました (-mashita) for past tense.

• Example (to eat):
  • Formal (non-past): 食べます (tabemasu) – “I eat” or “I will eat”
  • Formal (past): 食べました (tabemashita) – “I ate”

Informal Verb Endings (Casual Form)

In informal speech, verbs do not use the polite -ます endings. Instead, they retain their dictionary form for non-past tense, and the informal past tense is formed by changing the verb’s ending based on the verb group.

• Example (to eat):
  • Informal (non-past): 食べる (taberu) – “I eat” or “I will eat”
  • Informal (past): 食べた (tabeta) – “I ate”

3. The Use of Copula: です (desu) vs. だ (da)

Another significant difference in formal and informal speech is the use of the copula, which links the subject to the predicate in a sentence.

Formal Speech: です (desu)

In formal speech, the polite copula です (desu) is used at the end of sentences. It adds politeness and is essential in formal conversations or when addressing superiors.

• Example:
  • Formal: これは本です (Kore wa hon desu) – “This is a book.”

Informal Speech: だ (da)

In informal speech, the copula だ (da) is used instead of です (desu). だ (da) is more direct and casual, and is used when speaking to friends, family, or in relaxed situations.

• Example:
  • Informal: これは本だ (Kore wa hon da) – “This is a book.”

Note: In informal speech, だ (da) is often dropped entirely in casual spoken conversations.

4. Sentence Endings in Formal and Informal Speech

The way sentences are ended in Japanese can also indicate the level of politeness.

Formal Speech

In formal speech, sentences typically end with です (desu) or ます (masu) to convey respect and politeness. These endings are required in formal settings, such as in the workplace, with customers, or when speaking to someone older or of higher social status.

• Example:
  • Formal: 今日は暑いです (Kyō wa atsui desu) – “It’s hot today.”

Informal Speech

In informal speech, sentence endings are more relaxed. The です (desu) and ます (masu) endings are dropped, and sentences often end with plain verb forms or adjectives. Additionally, sentence particles like ね (ne) and よ (yo) are commonly used to soften or emphasize statements in informal speech.

• Example:
  • Informal: 今日は暑い (Kyō wa atsui) – “It’s hot today.”

5. Addressing Others: Honorifics and Titles

In formal speech, it’s customary to use honorifics and titles when addressing others, while in informal speech, these are often omitted.

Formal Speech

When speaking formally, it’s important to use the appropriate honorific suffixes, such as さん (san), 様 (sama), or 先生 (sensei), depending on the person’s status or position. These honorifics convey respect and politeness.

• Example:
  • Formal: 田中さん (Tanaka-san) – Mr./Ms. Tanaka
  • 先生 (sensei) – Used for teachers, doctors, and other professionals

Informal Speech

In informal speech, honorifics are often dropped when speaking to close friends or family members. Nicknames or first names are commonly used, without the need for formal titles.

• Example:
  • Informal: 田中 (Tanaka) – Simply calling someone by their name

6. When to Use Formal or Informal Speech

Knowing when to use formal or informal speech depends largely on the relationship between the speaker and the listener, as well as the context of the conversation.

Use Formal Speech When:

• You are speaking to someone older, a superior, or someone you don’t know well.
• You are in a professional or business setting.
• You are addressing a customer or client.
• You want to show respect or politeness in a public setting.

Use Informal Speech When:

• You are speaking to friends, family, or people of the same age or status.
• You are in a casual or relaxed setting.
• You have a close relationship with the person you’re speaking to.

7. Politeness Levels Beyond Formal and Informal Speech

In addition to formal and informal speech, Japanese has other levels of politeness, including:

• 敬語 (keigo): Honorific language used to show even greater respect. It includes two types: 尊敬語 (sonkeigo), used to show respect for the listener, and 謙譲語 (kenjōgo), used to humble oneself.
• 丁寧語 (teineigo): The standard polite language used in most formal settings, such as です (desu) and ます (masu).

Understanding and mastering these levels is essential for more advanced Japanese communication, especially in business or professional environments.

Conclusion

The difference between formal and informal speech in Japanese is crucial for effective communication. Using the correct level of speech shows respect for the listener and helps create the appropriate tone for the conversation. While formal speech is essential in professional and respectful settings, informal speech is more appropriate for casual conversations with friends and family. Mastering the nuances of both will greatly enhance your ability to navigate social interactions in Japanese.