Forms of Japanese grammar | |
The Japanese on translations on Mr How to Say may be marked with one of these grammar forms. The grammar structure in Japanese
can change in certain situations. Each form has its own ways of how grammar should be structured. And even the vocabulary itself can change from form to form.
Though there are more than these five below, these are the ones that don't exist/are not used in English, and are therefore difficult for an English speaker to understand.
| Grammar Form | Japanese name | Explanation | Perspective when used | Notes |
| Casual form | 日常会話Pronouced as nichijoukaiwa | everyday casual language, commonly used between friends and family. | all kinds | Most of the time, this form is mutually used. The speaker and the responder both use this form. |
| Polite form | 丁寧語Pronouced as teineigo | convays a sense of politeness, used when speaking to strangers, people older than you, higher social status ect. | all kinds | when you speak polite form to someone the other person may not always use polite form when speaking back to you. But you should continue you use polite form anyway |
| Humble form | 謙譲語Pronouced as kenjougo | convays a sense of humility, commonly used by store employees, espessially in the service industry. | Speaking about yourself | This form is one way. only the person trying to lower themselves before the other uses this form. The person being spoken to with humble form often replies with Polite form |
| Honorific form | 尊敬語Pronouced as sonkeigo | convays respect to the subject of the sentence, very important in a business setting. | Speaking about another person | This form is one way. only the person trying to elevate the person they are speaking to. The person being spoken to with honorific form often will reply with Casual or Polite form |
| Imperative form | 命令形Pronouced as meireikei | convays a sense of urgency, order or command. | Call (another person) to action | In English, a command is often communicated in the tone of ones voice. While in Japanese, using this grammar style can also do that. |
| Written form | 文語体Pronouced as bungotai | form of language that is normally only used in written contexts. A native Japanese would not use this form when speaking. | all kinds | Using written form of Japanese in a conversation will add a touch of strangness to your words. Should only be used in written contexts. |
Example 1: (Speaking about yourself)
The English sentence "I will go to your house" can be expressed in the following forms.
| Grammar Form | Possible Translation |
| Casual form | 家に行く |
| Humble form | お家に伺い致します |
| Polite form | 家に行きます |
| All of these sentences carry the meaning "I will go to your house" But as you can see, all three sentences are written and spoken totally different. The difference between them is just, the feel added from the grammar form used, as explained in the above table. |
| We cannot make an this sentence in Honorific form because it is only used when speaking about another person, another person you want to elevate above you. |
| We cannot make an this sentence in Imperative form because it is only used when calling another person to action. |
Example 2: (peaking about another person)
The English sentence "Mr. Ritchie,(teacher) will you come to my house?" can be expressed in three different grammar forms
| Grammar Form | Possible Translation |
| Casual form | リッチー先生は家に来る？ |
| Polite form | リッチー先生は家に来ますか？ |
| Honorific form | リッチー先生は家にいらっしゃいますか？ |
| All of these sentences carry the meaning "Mr. Ritchie,(teacher) will you come to my house?" But again, are written and spoken totally different. In English most people would not speak any differently to their teacher than their family or friends. But in Japanese, unless you are a child, you would be expected to use Honorific form when asking this kind of question to your Teacher. |
| With all that said, someone who understands the difference between these forms would gather a sense such as: the first sentence I can see being said by a kindergarten student, who is not quite used to speaking politely from having up until now spoke casually with his family at home. The second sentence, perhaps an elementary student speaking, who knows to speak politely but has not yet master Honorific form. And the third sentence being the proper from to use given the situation. |
| Since all that information can be assumed just by knowing the Grammar forms, its important not to be in the dark about them. |
Example 3: (calling someone to action)
The English sentence "come to my house" can be expressed in three different grammar forms
| Grammar Form | Possible Translation |
| Imperative form | 家に来い |
| Casual form | 家に来て |
| Polite form | 家に来て下さい |
| All of these sentences carry the meaning "come to my house" But again, are written and spoken totally different. In English we might just raise our voice to communicate an order. "come to my house!!" or use a slightly different phrase like, "come to my house right this minute!" But Japanese also has these options which maybe said in casual or imperative form. So this distinction is still necessary. |
