Dimensions of politeness in Japanese
... Formal style is generally marked by: (a) Copula in des- form (b) Verb suffix -mas- (conjugates as irregular verb: -mas-u, -masi-ta, -mas-eN NEG, -mas-yoo) (c) Adjectives: Inflection as usual (tense, negation) followed by copula desu (always in nonpast affirmative form) ...
... Formal style is generally marked by: (a) Copula in des- form (b) Verb suffix -mas- (conjugates as irregular verb: -mas-u, -masi-ta, -mas-eN NEG, -mas-yoo) (c) Adjectives: Inflection as usual (tense, negation) followed by copula desu (always in nonpast affirmative form) ...
+ る
... speeches. The polite form is the appropriate speech register among adult speakers who are getting to know each other. On the other hand, plain form is used when speakers address very familiar people on the same social level, such as close friends. It is also used in diaries and in newspaper articles ...
... speeches. The polite form is the appropriate speech register among adult speakers who are getting to know each other. On the other hand, plain form is used when speakers address very familiar people on the same social level, such as close friends. It is also used in diaries and in newspaper articles ...