Japanese is the opposite: oftentimes, pronouns are omitted altogether if the subject can be inferred. In other words, if the subject is clearly yourself or the person you’re talking to, it sounds more natural if you drop pronouns like “I” or “you.”<\/strong><\/p>\n \u7720\u3044\uff01 (\u306d\u3080\u3044\uff01) \u304a\u8179\u304c\u7a7a\u3044\u305f\u3088\uff01\u304a\u663c\u306b\u3057\u3088\u3046\u306d\u3002<\/a>\uff08\u304a\u306a\u304b\u304c \u3059\u3044\u305f\u3088\uff01\u304a\u3072\u308b\u306b \u3057\u3088\u3046\u306d\u3002\uff09 \u304a\u5e97\u306b\u884c\u304f\u306e\uff1f\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u8cb7\u3063\u3066\u6765\u3066\u304f\u308c\u306a\u3044\uff1f\uff08\u304a\u307f\u305b\u306b \u3044\u304f\u306e\uff1f\u3053\u30fc\u3072\u30fc \u304b\u3063\u3066\u304d\u3066\u304f\u308c\u306a\u3044\uff1f\uff09 Note how there aren’t any pronouns like \u79c1<\/strong> (\u308f\u305f\u3057 or “I, me”) in the example above. When there\u2019s never any subject to begin with, the speaker is usually talking about themselves or a group they’re included in. <\/strong><\/p>\n Also, when a person makes a simple statement in Japanese without the rising question inflection at the end, you can automatically assume they’re probably talking about themselves.<\/p>\n Although you should avoid overusing pronouns or subjects to sound more natural, there will be times when you might feel confused about who or what someone’s referring to<\/a>.<\/p>\n This actually happens a lot in conversation, so feel free to ask for clarification:<\/p>\n A: \u671d\u3054\u98ef\u3092\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f\uff08\u3042\u3055\u3054\u306f\u3093\u3092\u305f\u3079\u307e\u3057\u305f\u304b\uff1f) A: \u53b3\u3057\u904e\u304e\u308b\u3088\u3002\uff08\u304d\u3073\u3057\u3059\u304e\u308b\u3088\u3002) If you leave off the subject when actually talking about someone else, it can sound like you\u2019re talking about yourself. You may mean to say \u201cyou\u2019re hungry\u201d but actually end up saying \u201cI\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n When you’re making a simple statement, not a question, you should use a subject to clear up any confusion.<\/strong><\/p>\n Another way to know what’s being talked about in a conversation is to keep track of \u306f and \u304c. The \u306f or \u304c post-participle in Japanese indicates the topic of the conversation. What everyone says afterward refers to it until someone mentions another topic with the \u306f or \u304c markers.<\/p>\n For example, if you have a bowl with a variety of fruits and you want to point out which one is the apple, you can pick up the fruit and say:<\/p>\n \u3053\u308c\u306f\u6797\u6a8e\u3067\u3059\u3002(\u3053\u308c\u306f\u308a\u3093\u3054\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff09 The conversation will then follow with sentences along the lines of:<\/p>\n \u3042\u3001(\u6797\u6a8e\u306f)\u8d64\u904e\u304e\u308b\uff01\uff08\u3042\u3001\uff08\u308a\u3093\u3054\u306f\uff09\u3042\u304b\u3059\u304e\u308b\uff01\uff09 As you can see, there’s no need to mention the subject (the apple) since it’s already clearly the topic of conversation. If the subject changes, you’ll have to use \u306f or \u304c again.<\/p>\n \u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3053\u308c\u306f\u6843\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff08\u305d\u3057\u3066\u3001\u3053\u308c\u306f\u3082\u3082\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff09 Luckily for us English speakers, who suffer from an unreasonable insistence that people actually mention the things and people they\u2019re talking about, there are grammatical markers that can be used to indicate the subject without saying it directly. These are “giving verbs”\u2014verbs you can add to the end of a sentence to indicate that something is being given.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n This means \u201cto give,\u201d but it can be helpful when determining the subject and the direction of speech. \u3042\u3052\u308b indicates giving something away\u00a0<\/i>from the speaker\u00a0to\u00a0<\/em>someone else.<\/p>\n If you give someone a present, this is the form you would use. \u00a0In other words, when you attach \u3042\u3052\u308b to a verb, it means you\u2014the speaker\u2014are doing it. It serves to add an invisible subject to the sentence. In effect, you\u2019re saying \u201cI.\u201d<\/p>\n \u304a\u91d1\u3092\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3002\uff08\u304a\u304b\u306d\u3092\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3002\uff09 \u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u3092\u3042\u3052\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\uff08\u3077\u308c\u305b\u3093\u3068\u3092\u3042\u3052\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\uff09 When you attach \u3042\u3052\u308b\u00a0to the end of a verb, it means not\u00a0giving<\/em>\u00a0something to someone, but\u00a0doing<\/em> something for someone. Remember that the verb you attach it to will be conjugated in the \u3066 form.<\/p>\n \u96fb\u8a71\u3057\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3002\uff08\u3067\u3093\u308f\u3057\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3002\uff09 \u6b21\u306e\u30d3\u30fc\u30eb\u3092\u5962\u3063\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3002\uff08\u3064\u304e\u306e\u3073\u30fc\u308b\u3092\u304a\u3054\u3063\u3066\u3042\u3052\u308b\u3002\uff09 This is another commonly used \u201cgiving\u201d verb that indicates the opposite direction from \u3042\u3052\u308b. When you use \u304f\u308c\u308b, it means someone is giving something to you, the speaker.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n \u304a\u3082\u3061\u3083\u3092\u304f\u308c\u305f\u3002 Similar to \u3042\u3052\u308b, you can attach \u304f\u308c\u308b to the -\u3066 form of a verb, and it means that somebody is doing something for you:<\/p>\n \u52a9\u3051\u3066\u304f\u308c\u3066\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3002\uff08\u305f\u3059\u3051\u3066\u304f\u308c\u3066\u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3002\uff09 This makes the other person the subject of the sentence. You\u2019re the receiver of the action. Japanese speakers use these two verbs, \u3042\u3052\u308b\u00a0and \u304f\u308c\u308b, at the end of sentences to indicate who is doing what for whom.<\/p>\n \u660e\u65e5\u3001\u6771\u4eac\u30b9\u30ab\u30a4\u30c4\u30ea\u30fc\u306b\u9023\u308c\u3066\u884c\u3063\u3066\u304f\u308c\u308b\u3002<\/a>\uff08\u3042\u3057\u305f\u3001\u3068\u3046\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3059\u304b\u3044\u3064\u308a\u30fc\u306b\u3064\u308c\u3066\u3044\u3063\u3066\u304f\u308c\u308b\u3002\uff09 Like \u304f\u308c\u308b, this is something being given towards the speaker. It has the nuance of having something done for you.<\/p>\n \uff08\u79c1\u306f\uff09\u5f7c\u5973\u306b\u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u3092\u3082\u3089\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\uff08\uff08\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\uff09\u304b\u306e\u3058\u3087\u306b\u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068\u3092\u3082\u3089\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\uff09 As you can see from the literal translation, the structure for a sentence that uses \u3082\u3089\u3046 seems a bit complicated on the surface. However, it still follows the “subject + object + verb” structure: \u5f7c\u5973 (\u304b\u306e\u3058\u3087 or “her”) is the subject, \u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8 (\u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068 or “present”) is the object and \u3082\u3089\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f (\u3082\u3089\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f or past form of \u3082\u3089\u3046) is the verb.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, if it’s understood that you’re the receiver, you can also drop \u79c1\u306f (\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f) and translate the sentence as “She gave me a present.”<\/p>\n Also like the other giving verbs, \u3082\u3089\u3046 has a -\u3066 form. When you say –\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3046, it means you’re getting someone to do something for you.<\/p>\n \u304a\u59c9\u3055\u3093\u306b\u6765\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3046\u3002\uff08\u304a\u306d\u30fc\u3055\u3093\u306b\u304d\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3046\u3002\uff09 \u3044\u305f\u3060\u304f is essentially the more polite version of\u304f\u308c\u308b and \u3082\u3089\u3046. This is used often in \u656c\u8a9e (\u3051\u3044\u3054) , the super-polite register of Japanese used for customer service or other formal situations.<\/p>\n \u3054\u4f4f\u6240\u3092\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08\u3054\u3058\u3085\u3046\u3057\u3087\u3092\u3044\u305f\u3060\u3051\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff09 This is used to indicate giving away from the speaker like \u3042\u3052\u308b, but is giving much further downward. It\u2019s used for children, people of a lower social position and animals.\u00a0<\/p>\n \uff08\u79c1\u306f\uff09\u732b\u306b\u990c\u3092\u3084\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff08\uff08\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\uff09\u306d\u3053\u306b\u3048\u3055\u3092\u3084\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002\uff09 Again, in Japanese, it\u2019s best to use subjects sparingly. Try to only use subjects when absolutely necessary. Use voice inflection, giving verbs and other devices to suggest who you\u2019re talking about without actually referring to them directly.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you want to learn more about useful Japanese verbs, you\u2019ll love this post<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p>\n Go ahead and think of the first things you say when you meet someone new. Now translate those into Japanese and you’ve got a full-on kickstart to the conversation.<\/p>\n You’re providing them with a little information about yourself and, because you’re now familiar with the structure of these introductory phrases, you’ll be ready to hear and understand what your partner has to say themselves! So here’s a little introductory kit:<\/p>\n \u521d\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066\uff01 (\u306f\u3058\u3081\u307e\u3057\u3066\uff01)<\/strong> Literally, “we’re meeting for the first time,” but basically a first time greeting to the effect of “Nice to meet you!”<\/p>\n \u79c1\u306f______\u3067\u3059 (\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u00a0____<\/em> \u3067\u3059<\/strong>) “I’m…\/My name is…” might come in handy if you haven’t gotten a handle on each other’s names yet.<\/p>\n \u4eca\u3001______\u306b\u4f4f\u3093\u3067\u3044\u307e\u3059 (\u3044\u307e\u3001_____ \u306b\u3059\u3093\u3067\u3044\u307e\u3059)<\/strong> “I live in …\/I’m currently living in…”<\/p>\n \u8da3\u5473\u306f\u3001\u30ae\u30bf\u30fc\u3068\u6d77\u5916\u65c5\u884c\u3067\u3059 (\u3057\u3085\u307f\u306f\u3001\u304e\u305f\u30fc\u3068 \u304b\u3044\u304c\u3044\u308a\u3087\u3053\u3046 \u3067\u3059)<\/strong> “My hobbies are playing guitar and traveling abroad.”<\/p>\n \u79c1\u306f\u5927\u5b66\u751f\u3067\u3059\uff0f\u30a8\u30f3\u30b8\u30cb\u30a2\u3067\u3059 (\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f \u3060\u3044\u304c\u304f\u305b\u3044\u3067\u3059\uff0f\u3048\u3093\u3058\u306b\u3042\u3067\u3059)<\/strong> “I am a university student\/an engineer.” You might want to look up how to say your job in Japanese beforehand, just to have something else to talk about.<\/p>\n \u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\uff01 (\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u304a\u306d\u304c\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\uff01) <\/strong>“Thank you!”\/”Very nice to meet you!” Literally, “please treat me well” is one of the most important, standard greeting phrases in Japanese.<\/p>\n This last one makes a great closing to your introduction. It basically means that you’ve put yourselves in each other’s hands for your language learning endeavors. It’s a phrase that can be used at the beginning of any sort of mutually beneficial relationship.<\/p>\n If your partner says this first, you can just repeat it back to them in the same way. There’s a great explanation of this and other conversational phrases in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n These phrases can be said all at once but, to avoid sounding robotic, you could just break these up during a Q&A while still being prepared to produce them confidently. Cultural tip: you might find a lot of people giving their age right off the bat as this is pretty common in Japan, but don’t feel that you have to reciprocate if you don’t want to!<\/p>\n Another way to sound more natural in a conversation is to forget what you’ve been taught about how rude interrupting someone can be.<\/p>\n Interjecting an “Uh-huh” or gasping “No way!” ensures that you’re appearing attentive and interested in what someone has to say\u2014even if they’re recapping that episode of Sailor Moon. Word-for-word. Again<\/em>.<\/p>\n A typical conversation might go like:<\/p>\n A: \u30a4\u30bf\u30ea\u30a2\u30f3\u30ec\u30b9\u30c8\u30e9\u30f3\u3067\u98df\u4e8b\u3092\u3057\u3066\u304b\u3089\u3002(\u3044\u305f\u308a\u3042\u3093\u308c\u3059\u3068\u3089\u3093\u3067\u3057\u3087\u304f\u3058\u3092\u3057\u3066\u304b\u3089\u3002) You get the point.<\/p>\n The “art of interruption” is called\u00a0\u76f8\u69cc (\u3042\u3044\u3065\u3061 – giving responses). When you don’t use aizuchi<\/em><\/a> while conversing, the other party will think you’re disinterested in what they have to say.<\/p>\n If you’re constantly being asked, “Are you listening to me?” in a conversation (despite your polite nodding and eye contact), make sure you give aizuchi<\/em>\u00a0a try.\u00a0Mastering\u00a0aizuchi<\/em>\u00a0will guarantee you have a\u00a0smoother, more fluent-sounding conversation!<\/p>\n Here are some more quick, aizuchi<\/em>-like\u00a0<\/em>interjections you can use.<\/p>\n On Facebook, \u3044\u3044\u306d is used to say, “like!” Depending on your tone, pronunciation and the situation, \u3044\u3044\u306d can have\u00a0multiple connotations.<\/p>\n If you say it with enthusiasm and cheer,\u00a0\u3044\u3044\u306d\u00a0<\/em>sounds like, “That’s great!” If you were to sigh\u00a0\u3044\u3044\u306d instead, the meaning would sound more like, “It must be great…”<\/p>\n A: \u5f7c\u304c\u300c\u307e\u305f\u3001\u96fb\u8a71\u3057\u3066\u3082\u3044\u3044\uff1f\u300d\u3063\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3002\uff08\u304b\u308c\u304c\u300c\u307e\u305f\u3001\u3067\u3093\u308f\u3057\u3066\u3082\u3044\u3044\uff1f\u300d\u3063\u3066\u3044\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3002) A: \u3055\u3068\u307f\u3061\u3083\u3093\u306f\u79c1\u306e\u643a\u5e2f\u3092\u501f\u308a\u3066\u304a\u304d\u306a\u304c\u3089\u3001\u5bb6\u306b\u5fd8\u308c\u3066\u6765\u3061\u3083\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3088\uff01\u304a\u307e\u3051\u306b\u2026\u3000\uff08\u3055\u3068\u307f\u3061\u3083\u3093\u306f \u308f\u305f\u3057\u306e\u3051\u3044\u305f\u3044\u3092\u304b\u308a\u3066\u304a\u304d\u306a\u304c\u3089\u3001\u3044\u3048\u306b\u308f\u3059\u308c\u3066\u304d\u3061\u3083\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3088\uff01\u304a\u307e\u3051\u306b\u2026) A: \u5f7c\u5973\u3001\u307e\u305f\u6d77\u5916\u306b\u884c\u3063\u3066\u308b\u306e\uff1f\u3053\u306e\u9593\u30e8\u30fc\u30ed\u30c3\u30d1\u3078\u884c\u3063\u305f\u3070\u304b\u308a\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044\u3002\uff08\u304b\u306e\u3058\u3087\u3001\u307e\u305f\u304b\u3044\u304c\u3044\u306b \u3044\u3063\u3066\u308b\u306e\uff1f\u3053\u306e\u3042\u3044\u3060 \u3088\u30fc\u308d\u3063\u3071\u3078 \u3044\u3063\u305f\u3070\u304b\u308a\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044\u3002) \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 and \u3060\u3088\u306d are ways to show agreement. This sounds like “I know, right?” or “Isn’t it?” A more masculine form of \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 is \u3060\u308d\u3046.<\/p>\n A: \u6620\u753b\u306f\u672c\u5f53\u306b\u611f\u52d5\u7684\u3060\u3063\u305f\u3002\uff08\u3048\u3044\u304c\u306f \u307b\u3093\u3068\u3046\u306b \u304b\u3093\u3069\u3046\u3066\u304d\u3060\u3063\u305f\u3002) A: \u3053\u308c\u306f\u306a\u304b\u306a\u304b\u3044\u3044\u66f2\u3060\u3088\u306d\u3002\uff08\u3053\u308c\u306f \u306a\u304b\u306a\u304b \u3044\u3044\u304d\u3087\u304f\u3060\u3088\u306d\u3002) \u3042\u306e\u306d is \u304a\u306d way to start off a sentence. It’s similar to the English phrase, “You know.” Depending on your tone, \u3042\u306e\u306d\u00a0could serve as\u00a0a small reminder or afterthought: “You know, now that I think about it, he was kind of rude.”<\/em> Or if you’re getting angry,\u00a0“You know \u2014 you’re way too ungrateful!”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u3042\u306e\u306d<\/strong>\u3001\u3086\u3046\u304d\u3055\u3093\u3063\u3066 \u304b\u308f\u3044\u304f\u306a\u3044\uff1f \u3042\u306e\u306d\u3047<\/strong>\u3001\u7d50\u69cb\u5927\u5909\u3060\u3088\u3002\uff08\u3042\u306e\u306d\u3047\u3001\u3051\u3063\u3053\u3046 \u305f\u3044\u3078\u3093\u3060\u3088\u3002\uff09 \u3042\u306e\u306d<\/strong>\u3001\u3053\u306e\u30b1\u30fc\u30ad\u8a66\u3057\u3066\u307f\u3066\u3002\uff08\u3042\u306e\u306d\u3001\u3053\u306e\u3051\u30fc\u304d \u305f\u3081\u3057\u3066\u307f\u3066\u3002\uff09 \u3042\u306e\u306d…<\/strong>\u91d1\u306e\u30a2\u30a4\u30d5\u30a9\u30f3\u3092\u8cb7\u3044\u305f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3093\u3060\u3051\u3069\u306d\uff0e\uff0e\uff0e\uff08\u3042\u306e\u306d…\u304d\u3093\u306e\u3042\u3044\u3075\u3049\u3093\u3092\u304b\u3044\u305f\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3093\u3060\u3051\u3069\u306d\uff0e\uff0e\uff0e\uff09 \u6c17\u306e\u6bd2 (\u304d\u306e\u3069\u304f) means “that’s a pity.”<\/p>\n Just like in English, this phrase can have different connotations depending on the tone you use. “What a pity,” “That’s too bad” and “What a shame” can all sound empathetic with a sincere tone in English, but can also be used sarcastically or with little sympathy\u2014just like \u6c17\u306e\u6bd2 in Japanese.<\/p>\n \u6c17\u306e\u6bd2<\/strong>\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002\uff08\u304d\u306e\u3069\u304f\u3067\u3059\u306d\u3002\uff09 \u305d\u308c\u306f\u672c\u5f53\u306b\u6c17\u306e\u6bd2<\/strong>\u3067\u3059\u3088\u3002\uff08\u305d\u308c\u306f\u307b\u3093\u3068\u3046\u306b \u304d\u306e\u3069\u304f\u3067\u3059\u3088\u3002\uff09 You can also use \u6c17\u306e\u6bd2\u00a0in an informal context as a way to say, “Too bad,” or “Tough luck.”<\/p>\n A: \u643a\u5e2f\u304c\u30c8\u30a4\u30ec\u306b\u843d\u3061\u305f\uff01\uff08\u3051\u3044\u305f\u3044\u304c \u3068\u3044\u308c\u306b \u304a\u3061\u305f\uff01) \u4fe1\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044 (\u3057\u3093\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044 or “Unbelievable!”) is a way to express that something is beyond belief or comprehension. You can use it to express your astonishment like exclaiming, “Oh my gosh!” or even say something is too unbelievable to be true.<\/p>\n \u305d\u3093\u306a\u306e\u4fe1\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044<\/strong>\uff01\uff08\u305d\u3093\u306a\u306e \u3057\u3093\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044\uff01\uff09 \u3057\u3093\u541b\u304b\u3089\u4eca\u805e\u3044\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3001\u4fe1\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044<\/strong>\u3093\u3060\u3051\u3069\uff01\uff08\u3057\u3093\u304f\u3093\u304b\u3089 \u3044\u307e \u304d\u3044\u305f\u3053\u3068\u3001\u3057\u3093\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044\u3093\u3060\u3051\u3069\uff01\uff09 \u4fe1\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044<\/strong>\u3088\uff01\u541b\u306f\u79c1\u306b\u30c0\u30a4\u30a8\u30c3\u30c8\u3057\u308d\u3063\u3066\u8a00\u3063\u305f\u306e\u306b\u3001\u305d\u308c\u304c\u4eca\u3058\u3083\u81ea\u5206\u306f\u30ac\u30f3\u30ac\u30f3\u98df\u3079\u308b\u3063\u3066\u308f\u3051\u304b\uff01\uff08\u3057\u3093\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044\u3088\uff01\u304d\u307f\u306f\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306b \u3060\u3044\u3048\u3063\u3068\u3057\u308d\u3063\u3066\u3044\u3063\u305f\u306e\u306b\u3001\u305d\u308c\u304c\u3044\u307e\u3058\u3083 \u3058\u3076\u3093\u306f \u304c\u3093\u304c\u3093 \u305f\u3079\u308b\u3063\u3066\u308f\u3051\u304b\uff01\uff09 Use these interjections and your speech with automatically sound smoother and more natural in conversation.<\/p>\n So far, we’ve covered what\u00a0not\u00a0<\/em>to do in a conversation (overuse pronouns\u00a0and be a passive listener). Now it’s time to\u00a0stop talking like a walking textbook and use\u00a0real<\/em> Japanese sentences and expressions.<\/p>\n A lot of Japanese textbooks will introduce their readers to the basic sentence pattern<\/a> of “subject + object + verb” to construct sentences like \u79c1\u306f\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3092\u98f2\u307f\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\uff08\u308f\u305f\u3057\u306f\u3053\u30fc\u3072\u30fc\u3092\u306e\u307f\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002 – “I drank coffee”).<\/p>\n This kind of structure is very useful and still exists in conversational Japanese, but it’s used less outside of formal contexts. Many conversational sentences will seem “backwards” when compared to the “subject + object + verb” structure, so instead of \u3053\u308c\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08\u3053\u308c\u306f\u306a\u3093\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f – “(literally) This is what?”), you’ll probably hear a friend say \u4f55\u3053\u308c\uff1f\uff08\u306a\u306b\u3053\u308c\uff1f – “What’s this?”)<\/p>\n There are two really convenient situations where this particular sentence structure is used:<\/p>\n 1. To clarify a sentence, or add something as an afterthought (which is very helpful when subjects and pronouns are dropped):<\/p>\n \u884c\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068\u00a0[\u304c] \u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u30d1\u30ea\u306b\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3053\u3068 [\u304c] \u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f\u3071\u308a\u306b\u3002) 2. To combine two sentences:<\/p>\n \u305d\u308c\u306f\u4f55\uff1f\uff08\u305d\u308c\u306f\u306a\u306b\uff1f – “That is what?”\uff09becomes \u4f55\u305d\u308c\uff1f\uff08\u306a\u306b\u305d\u308c\uff1f – “What’s that?”).<\/p>\n If you take away anything from this post, let it be onomatopoeia! Japanese onomatopoeia<\/a> are a language learner’s secret weapon to sounding like a native speaker in a conversation.<\/p>\n Onomatopoeia are words used to represent sounds (the onomatopoeia of a bird chirping is tweet tweet<\/i>).\u00a0Not only is onomatopoeia used to replace adjectives and emphasis verbs\u00a0in daily conversation, but it’s super easy to remember.<\/p>\n Even if you don’t use it, you should know some common onomatopoeia like \u307a\u3053\u307a\u3053 (the sound of your stomach growling), \u308f\u304f\u308f\u304f (the sound of being excited) and \u30cb\u30b3\u30cb\u30b3 (\u306b\u3053\u306b\u3053 or the imagined sound of someone smiling broadly).<\/p>\n A friend or family member is likely to say \u304a\u8179\u304c\u307a\u3053\u307a\u3053 (\u304a\u306a\u304b\u304c\u307a\u3053\u307a\u3053 or “My stomach’s growling”) once in a while instead of \u304a\u8179\u304c\u7a7a\u3044\u305f (\u304a\u306a\u304b\u304c\u3059\u3044\u305f or “I’m hungry”).<\/p>\n In every language, we tend to slur or shorten sounds in conversation. In Japanese, the “r” sound (\u3089\u3001\u308a\u3001\u308b\u3001\u308c\u3001\u308d\uff09often gets reduced to the \u3093 sound. You’ve probably already heard this in dramas<\/a>, movies<\/a>\u00a0and even podcasts<\/a>.<\/p>\n An example of this is when \u5206\u304b\u3089<\/strong>\u306a\u3044\u00a0(\u308f\u304b\u3089<\/strong>\u306a\u3044 or “I don’t know”) changes into \u5206\u304b\u3093<\/strong>\u306a\u3044\u00a0(\u308f\u304b\u3093<\/strong>\u306a\u3044):<\/p>\n \u4f55\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3060\u304b\u3055\u3063\u3071\u308a\u308f\u304b\u3093\u306a\u3044<\/strong>\u3088\u3002\uff08\u306a\u3093\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3060\u304b \u3055\u3063\u3071\u308a\u308f\u304b\u3093\u306a\u3044\u3088\u3002\uff09 Another common example\u00a0is \u3057\u3066\u308b<\/strong> (doing), which turns into \u3057\u3066\u3093<\/strong>:<\/p>\n \u4f55\u3057\u3066\u3093<\/strong>\u306e\uff1f\uff08\u306a\u306b\u3057\u3066\u3093\u306e\uff1f\uff09 \u307e\u3060\u52c9\u5f37\u3057\u3066\u3093<\/strong>\u306e\uff1f\uff08\u307e\u3060 \u3079\u3093\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3057\u3066\u3093\u306e\uff1f\uff09 Think of this like abbreviating the words “going to” and “want to” into “gonna” and “wanna.” It’s best not to use this speech pattern in a formal context, but it’s useful to know\u2014especially if you need to search for a word or phrase in a\u00a0dictionary.<\/p>\n As you learn conversational Japanese, you’ll notice that men and women tend to use distinct speech patterns.<\/p>\n Depending on where you are, female speakers will often use a polite form of a word (even in casual situations) while male speakers use plain forms of words more often.<\/strong> Sentence-ending particles<\/a> are also used differently between genders.<\/p>\n You don’t have to be a specific gender to use feminine or masculine manners of speech. However, it’s important to be aware of the slight differences as it will help you better understand your friends and recognize any nuances in your own speech.<\/p>\n In this case, \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 and \u3060\u308d\u3046 are both used when you’re presuming something.<\/p>\n If you want to say “Hiro’s room is\u00a0probably<\/em> messy”:<\/p>\n \u3072\u308d\u304f\u3093\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b\u306f\u6c5a\u3044\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u3072\u308d\u304f\u3093\u306e\u3078\u3084\u306f \u304d\u305f\u306a\u3044\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002\uff09(female)<\/strong> If it’s “I heard Yuki’s sick, so she\u00a0probably<\/em> won’t come tonight”:<\/p>\n \u3086\u304d\u3061\u3083\u3093\u306f\u98a8\u90aa\u5f15\u3044\u305f\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3001\u4eca\u591c\u6765\u306a\u3044\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u3086\u304d\u3061\u3083\u3093\u306f \u304b\u305c \u3072\u3044\u305f\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3001\u3053\u3093\u3084 \u3053\u306a\u3044\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002\uff09 (female)<\/strong> As\u00a0you saw earlier, you can also use \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u00a0and \u3060\u308d\u3046\u00a0<\/strong>to show agreement:<\/p>\n A: \u3053\u306e\u30b1\u30fc\u30ad\u306f\u7f8e\u5473\u3057\u3044\u3088\uff01\uff08\u3053\u306e\u3051\u30fc\u304d\u306f\u304a\u3044\u3057\u3044\u3088\uff01) A: \u7f8e\u5473\u3044\u3001\u3053\u306e\u30b1\u30fc\u30ad\uff01 \uff08\u3046\u307e\u3044\u3001\u3053\u306e\u3051\u30fc\u304d\uff01) Since \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 is more formal sounding, it’s considered more feminine if it’s used in casual conversation. In formal situations, however, it’s gender-neutral and can take the place of \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b:<\/p>\n \u3053\u306e\u8272\u306f\u3044\u304b\u304c\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u306e\u3044\u308d\u306f \u3044\u304b\u304c\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f\uff09 \u4e09\u6642\u3067\u3069\u3046\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f<\/strong>\uff08\u3055\u3093\u3058\u3067 \u3069\u3046\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u304b\uff1f\uff09 The particles \u306d and its masculine counterpart \u306a serve many purposes. Their main uses are to seek agreement from the listener (as in “Right?” or “Isn’t it?”), to make a statement or request sound softer or to get someone’s attention (like “Hey!”).<\/p>\n The particle \u306d can be used by both genders. It does have a gentle ring to it, so it’ll make your speech sound softer. In fact, it sounds more feminine at times. Among friends, guys may use \u306a and \u3060\u308d\u3046 instead of \u306d.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you’re asking for a favor or making a request, go ahead and use \u306d:<\/p>\n \u3053\u3053\u3067\u5f85\u3063\u3066\u3066\u306d\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u3053\u3067 \u307e\u3063\u3066\u3066\u306d\u3002\uff09 \u30c8\u30e0\u304f\u3093\u306b\u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u306d\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3068\u3080\u304f\u3093\u306b \u3088\u308d\u3057\u304f\u306d\u3002\uff09 If you want to say “It’s hot today, isn’t it,” you can say:<\/p>\n \u4eca\u65e5\u306f\u6691\u3044\u306d<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u304d\u3087\u3046\u306f\u3042\u3064\u3044\u306d\u3002\uff09(female\/male)<\/strong> If you want to express agreement or say “That’s right!” these expressions will work best:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u305d\u3046\u3060\u306d\uff01(female\/male)<\/strong> The particle \u306e serves many purposes. Aside from being a possessive particle, \u306e\u00a0can be placed at the end of a sentence to create a question or to give an explanation.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a common misconception that when \u306e\u00a0is placed at the end of a sentence, it sounds feminine.<\/strong> It can at times, but males use this sentence structure often enough! The particle \u306e\u00a0is gender-neutral when you are asking a question and expecting an explanation.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n A: \u8cb7\u3046\u306e\uff1f\u305d\u308c\u3002\uff08\u304b\u3046\u306e\uff1f\u305d\u308c\u3002\uff09 A: \u98df\u3079\u308b\u306e<\/strong>\uff1f\uff08\u305f\u3079\u308b\u306e\uff1f\uff09 The particle \u306e becomes more feminine when it\u2019s used to ask\/answer questions that don\u2019t call for an explanation, or when making a statement:<\/p>\n \u3053\u306e\u304b\u3070\u3093\u306f\u9ad8\u304b\u3063\u305f\u306e<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u3053\u306e\u304b\u3070\u3093\u306f \u305f\u3063\u304b\u305f\u306e\u3002) (female)<\/strong> It can also be feminine\u00a0when you combine \u306e with other sentence-ending particles:<\/p>\n \u5f7c\u306f\u6094\u3057\u3044\u306e\u306d<\/strong>\uff1f\uff08\u304b\u308c\u306f \u304f\u3084\u3057\u3044\u306e\u306d\u3002\uff09(female)<\/strong> \u305d\u3046\u306a\u306e\u3088\uff01(female)<\/strong> Personally, I tend to shy away from the term “slang<\/a>.” I hear “slang” and think “street terms” or “language-I-should-only-use-with-really-close-friends.”<\/p>\n Unfortunately, avoiding this part of speech can be detrimental if you’re trying to make “really close friends.” This is because using the formal register can make you feel distant from close colleagues, friends and even host families. If someone is trying to have an intimate or friendly conversation with you, replying to them in a formal manner can sound impersonal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n You can use\u00a0the following two dialogues as an example:<\/p>\n A: Hey, what’s up? vs.<\/em><\/p>\n A: Hey,\u00a0what’s up? It’s the same in emails or text messages. What message would you expect from a friend:<\/p>\n Would you like to get lunch with me at noon?<\/p>\n vs<\/em>.<\/p>\n Wanna grab a bite later?<\/p>\n Which conversation sounds more friendly and intimate? In other words,\u00a0which conversation makes the speaker sound more\u00a0fluent?<\/p>\n Of course, the more we hear these conversational tricks and colloquialisms, the easier it becomes to actually use them in your own speech. Native content is key, especially subtitled Japanese movies and variety shows, as the text makes it easier to spot these speech patterns.<\/p>\n The interactive subtitles on FluentU’s Japanese media clips also support this kind of contextual learning. FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n
\nI’m sleepy!
\n(Literally: Sleepy!)<\/p>\n
\nI’m so hungry! Let’s have lunch.
\n(Literally: Stomach is empty! Do lunch, okay?)<\/p>\n
\nAre you going to the store? Can you get me a coffee?
\n(Literally: Store going to? Can please buy coffee for me?)<\/p>\n2. Use Subjects if Talking About Them for the First Time or They’re Unclear<\/h2>\n
\nA: Did (you) eat breakfast?
\nB: \u79c1\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f\uff08\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f)<\/strong>
\nB: Me?<\/strong>
\nA: \u3048\u3048\u3002\u00a0
\nA: Yeah.<\/p>\n
\nA: He\/She’s) too strict.
\nB: \u5148\u751f\u306e\u3053\u3068\uff1f\uff08\u305b\u3093\u305b\u3044\u306e\u3053\u3068\uff1f) <\/strong>
\nB: You mean (our) teacher?<\/strong>
\nA: \u3046\u3046\u3093\u3001\u6821\u9577\u3002\uff08\u3046\u3046\u3093\u3001\u3053\u3046\u3061\u3087\u3046\u3002)
\nA: No, the principal.<\/p>\n\u306f and \u304c<\/h3>\n
\nThis is an apple.<\/p>\n
\nAh, (the apple is) so red!<\/p>\n
\nLikewise, this one is a peach.<\/p>\n3. Use “Giving” Verbs<\/h2>\n
<\/i>\u3042\u3052\u308b<\/h3>\n
\nI\u2019ll give (someone) money.<\/p>\n
\nI gave (someone) a present.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019ll call you.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019ll buy you the next beer.<\/p>\n\u304f\u308c\u308b<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\n(Someone) gave me a toy.<\/p>\n
\nThank you for helping me.<\/p>\n
\nTomorrow, (he\u2019s\/she\u2019s\/you\u2019re\/they\u2019re) taking me to Tokyo Sky Tree.<\/p>\n<\/i>\u8cb0\u3046 (\u3082\u3089\u3046)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n(I) received a gift from her.
\n(Literally: I from her present received.)<\/p>\n
\n(I will) get my (older) sister to come.<\/p>\n\u9802\u304f (\u3044\u305f\u3060\u304f)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nMay I please have your address?<\/p>\n<\/i>\u3084\u308b<\/h3>\n
\nThe cat received food (from me).<\/p>\n4. Equip Yourself for Introductions<\/h2>\n
5. Interrupt Everyone<\/h2>\n
\nA: We had dinner at an Italian restaurant.
\nB: \u3046\u3093\u3002 <\/strong>
\nB: Uh-huh.<\/strong>
\nA: \u6620\u753b\u3092\u898b\u305f\u306e\u3002\u3044\u3044\u4eba\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3002\uff08\u3048\u3044\u304c\u3092\u307f\u305f\u306e\u3002\u3044\u3044\u3072\u3068\u3060\u304b\u3089\u3002)
\nA: Then, we watched a movie. He’s a nice guy.
\nB: \u3046\u3093\u3002 <\/strong>
\nB: Uh-huh.<\/strong>
\nA: \u65e5\u66dc\u65e5\u306b\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\u3067\u3082\u98f2\u307f\u306b\u884c\u304b\u306a\u3044\u3063\u3066\u8a98\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3002\uff08\u306b\u3061\u3088\u3046\u3073\u306b \u3053\u30fc\u3072\u30fc\u3067\u3082 \u306e\u307f\u306b\u3044\u304b\u306a\u3044\u3063\u3066 \u3055\u305d\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3002)
\nA: So I invited him for coffee on Sunday.
\nB: \u3044\u3044\u306d\u3002 <\/strong>
\nB: Sounds great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\u3044\u3044\u306d<\/h3>\n
\nA: He said, “Can I call you again?”
\nB: \u3044\u3044\u306d\uff01
\nB: That’s great!<\/p>\n
\nA: Satomi borrowed my cell phone and then left it at home! On top of that…
\nB: \u3044\u3044\u306d\u3047\u2026
\nB: That’s nice…<\/p>\n
\nA: She\u2019s traveling overseas again? She just got back from Europe, didn\u2019t she?
\nB: \u3046\u3093\u3002\u3044\u3044\u306d\u3047\u2026
\nB: Yeah. It must be nice (to be her).<\/p>\n\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 and \u3060\u3088\u306d<\/h3>\n
\nA: That film was really moving.
\nB: \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01\u79c1\u3082\u305d\u3046\u601d\u3046\u3002\uff08\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff01\u308f\u305f\u3057\u3082 \u305d\u3046\u304a\u3082\u3046\u3002)
\nB: Wasn’t it? I think so too!\uff09<\/p>\n
\nA: This is a pretty good song, isn’t it?
\nB: \u3060\u3088\u306d\uff01
\nB: Heck yeah, it is!<\/p>\n\u3042\u306e\u306d<\/h3>\n
\nSay<\/em>, don\u2019t you think Yuuki is cute?<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m telling you<\/em>, it\u2019s not that easy.<\/p>\n
\nHey<\/em>, try this cake.<\/p>\n
\nYou know<\/em>\u2026 I wanted to buy the gold iPhone\u2026<\/p>\n\u6c17\u306e\u6bd2\uff08\u304d\u306e\u3069\u304f\uff09<\/h3>\n
\nThat’s a pity<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nI’m really sorry<\/em> to hear that.<\/p>\n
\nA: My phone fell into the toilet!
\nB: \u306f\u3063\uff01\u304a\u6c17\u306e\u6bd2\u306b\u306d\uff01\uff08\u306f\u3063\uff01\u304a\u304d\u306e\u3069\u304f\u306b\u306d\uff01)
\nB: Ha! Sucks to be you!<\/p>\n\u4fe1\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044\uff08\u3057\u3093\u3058\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044\uff09<\/h3>\n
\nNo way \/ Get out<\/em>!<\/p>\n
\nYou won\u2019t believe<\/em> what Shin just told me!<\/p>\n
\nI can\u2019t believe you!<\/em> You told me to diet, and now you\u2019re the one pigging out?<\/p>\n6. Keep it Casual with Conversational Sentence Patterns<\/h2>\n
Use the Backwards Sentence<\/h3>\n
\nHave you been before? To Paris.<\/p>\nReplace Words with Onomatopoeia<\/h3>\n
Omit Sounds<\/h3>\n
\nI don’t know what you’re talking about.<\/p>\n
\nWhat are you up to?<\/p>\n
\nAre you still studying?<\/p>\n7. Speak Like a Girl or Guy<\/h2>\n
\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046 vs. \u3060\u308d\u3046<\/h3>\n
\n\u3072\u308d\u304f\u3093\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b\u306f\u6c5a\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u3072\u308d\u304f\u3093\u306e\u3078\u3084\u306f \u304d\u305f\u306a\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046\u3002\uff09 (male)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u3086\u304d\u3061\u3083\u3093\u306f\u4f53\u8abf\u60aa\u3044\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3001\u4eca\u591c\u6765\u306a\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u3086\u304d\u3061\u3083\u3093\u306f \u305f\u3044\u3061\u3087\u3046 \u308f\u308b\u3044\u305d\u3046\u3067\u3001\u3053\u3093\u3084 \u3053\u306a\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046\u3002\uff09 (male)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nA: This cake is delicious!\uff09(female)<\/strong>
\nB: \u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff1f\u00a0
\nB: Isn’t it?<\/p>\n
\nA: This cake is delicious! (male)<\/strong>
\nB: \u3060\u308d\u3046\uff1f
\nB: I know, right?<\/p>\n
\nHow about this color?<\/p>\n
\nHow does three o’clock sound?<\/p>\n\u306d vs. \u306a<\/h3>\n
\nPlease wait here.<\/p>\n
\nSay hello to Tom for me.<\/p>\n
\n\u4eca\u65e5\u3001\u6691\u3044\u306a<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3001\u3042\u3064\u3044\u306a\u3002\uff09(male)<\/strong>
\n\u4eca\u65e5\u3001\u6691\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u304d\u3087\u3046\u3001\u3042\u3064\u3044\u3060\u308d\u3046\u3002\uff09(male)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u305d\u3046\u3060\u306a<\/strong>\uff01 (male)<\/strong><\/p>\nThe “\u306e” misconception<\/h3>\n
\nA: You\u2019re buying that?
\nB: \u304b\u308f\u3044\u3044\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\uff1f
\nB: It\u2019s cute, isn\u2019t it? (I’m buying it because it’s cute.)<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA: You\u2019re eating?
\nB: \u671d\u3054\u98ef\u3092\u98df\u3079\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u306e<\/strong>\u3002\uff08\u3042\u3055\u3054\u306f\u3093\u3092 \u305f\u3079\u306a\u304b\u3063\u305f\u306e\u3002)
\nB: I didn\u2019t have breakfast. (I’m eating <\/i>because I didn’t have breakfast,)<\/i><\/p>\n
\nThis purse was expensive.<\/p>\n
\nHe\u2019s pretty annoying, isn\u2019t he<\/em>?<\/p>\n
\nYou said it!<\/p>\n8. Learn to Embrace Slang<\/h2>\n
\nB: I’m very well, thank you. And yourself?<\/em><\/p>\n
\nB:\u00a0Nothing much. You?<\/em><\/p>\n![\"FluentU](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/6\/NativeAd-Japanese.jpg\")
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