Japanese for Beginners. Learning Conversational Japanese

following English expressions in both formal and informal Japanese. Notice
the difference?
ENGLISH
FORMAL JAPANESE INFORMAL JAPANESE
EXPRESSIONS
1. I’m a student. Boku wa gakusei desu. Boku wa gakusei da.
2. This is cheap. Kore wa yasui desu. Kore wa yasui.
3. Are you going to
school?
Gakkō e ikimasu ka? Gakkō e iku?
Words: gakusei (student); yasui (cheap); gakkō (school); iku (to go) The
informal style, which you’re learning in this book, is the way that people
actually talk in casual situations. Knowing it will help you fit more naturally
into Japanese society. When you chat with others, go out to a movie with
Japanese friends, and so on, you can contribute to conversations and be part
of the friendly atmosphere by using informal Japanese.
Practice Answer the following questions.
1. What’s the meaning of the term “interjection”? (list 3 characteristics) a)
_______________________________
b) _______________________________
c) _______________________________
2. What does the informal speech style mean? (list 2 characteristics) a)
_______________________________
b) _______________________________