🍖 Barbecue — Short Forms & Opinions
In this chapter, we introduce Short Forms. Until now, we have used Polite Forms (~Masu / Desu). Short Forms are used for casual conversation with friends and are essential building blocks for advanced grammar.
What are Short Forms?
Polite forms are for strangers and superiors. Short forms (informal) are for family and friends.
🟢 Affirmative (Present)
Just use the Dictionary Form.
| Type | Polite | Short |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | Tabemasu | Taberu |
| i-Adj | Samui desu | Samui |
| na-Adj | Genki desu | Genki da |
| Noun | Gakusei desu | Gakusei da |
🔴 Negative (Present)
Use the ~Nai form.
| Type | Polite | Short |
|---|---|---|
| Ru-Verb | Tabemasen | Tabenai |
| U-Verb | Kakimasen | Kakanai |
| i-Adj | Samukunai desu | Samukunai |
| na-Adj | Genki janai desu | Genki janai |
💡 U-Verb Conjugation Tip:
Change the vowel sound from u to a, then add nai.
Kaku → Kaka-nai | Yomu → Yoma-nai | Matsuh → Mata-nai
Exception: Verbs ending in ‘u’ (like Kau) become Wawai (Kawa-nai).
Quoted Speech
We use Short Forms inside specific grammar patterns, even if the main sentence is polite.
1. I think that… (~to Omoimasu)
[Short Form] + to omoimasu.
- あしたは あめが ふる と おもいます。
- Ashita wa ame ga furu to omoimasu.
- (I think it will rain tomorrow.)
- たけしさんは がくせいだ と おもいます。 (Don’t forget ‘da’!)
- Takeshi-san wa gakusei da to omoimasu.
- (I think Takeshi is a student.)
2. They said… (~to Itteimashita)
[Short Form] + to itteimashita.
- メアリーさんは いそがしい と いっていました。
- Mary-san wa isogashii to itteimashita.
- (Mary said she was busy.)
Please Don’t… (~Naide kudasai)
To politely ask someone not to do something.
[Negative Short Form] + de kudasai.
- ここで しゃしんを とらないで ください。
- Koko de shashin o torakanai de kudasai.
- (Please don’t take photos here.)
Verbs as Nouns: Nominalization
You can’t say “I like swim.” You must say “I like swimming.” In Japanese, add の (no) to a verb to make it a noun.
[Verb Dictionary Form] + no
- にほんごを べんきょうする の が すきです。
- Nihongo o benkyousuru no ga suki desu.
- (I like studying Japanese.)
- ロバートさんは りょうりする の が じょうずです。
- Robert-san wa ryourisuru no ga jouzu desu.
- (Robert is good at cooking.)
Particle: Ga vs Wa
Why use が (ga)? It emphasizes the Subject as the answer to “Who?” or “What?”.
- Q: だれが いきますか。 (Who is going?)
- A: わたしが いきます。 (I am the one who is going.)
Use GA with Question Words as subjects: Dare ga, Nani ga, Doko ga.
Culture Note: Japanese Food (Tabemono)
Beyond Sushi, there are many popular dishes.
- 焼肉 (Yakiniku): “Grilled meat”. Japanese BBQ where you cook raw meat at your table.
- 牛丼 (Gyudon): Beef bowl. Thinly sliced beef and onions over rice (Fast food).
- お好み焼き (Okonomiyaki): Savory cabbage pancake. Means “Grilled as you like”.
- 定食 (Teishoku): Set meal with rice, miso soup, pickles, and a main dish.
Test Your Knowledge
Chapter Quiz
What is the Short Form of 'Tabemasu'?