Speech levels

❃ Speech levels

タメ口でいいですか。 [ Tameguchi de ii desu ka. ]: Is it okay to speak casually?
はい、タメ口で話しましょう。 [ Hai, tameguchi de hanashimashou. ]: Yes, let's speak casually.
食べる？ [ Taberu? ]: Are you going to eat? (Casual for Tabemasu ka).
行く？ [ Iku? ]: Are you going? (Casual for Ikimasu ka).
ありがとう！ [ Arigatou! ]: Thanks! (Casual for Arigatou gozaimasu).
ごめん。 [ Gomen. ]: Sorry. (Casual for Gomennasai).
いいね！ [ Ii ne! ]: That's nice! / Good! (Casual).
だめ。 [ Dame. ]: No good / Don't do it. (Casual).
やばい！ [ Yabai! ]: Crazy / Awesome / Terrible (Slang).
日本語が上手ですね。 [ Nihongo ga jouzu desu ne. ]: Your Japanese is very good. (Formal polite compliment).
まだまだです。 [ Madamada desu. ]: Not yet / I still have a long way to go. (Humble response).
よろしくお願いします（タメ口：よろしく） [ Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Yoroshiku). ]: Nice to meet you (Casual: Yoroshiku).
本当？（本当ですか） [ Hontou? (Hontou desu ka). ]: Really? (Casual).
うん、わかった。 [ Un, wakatta. ]: Yeah, got it. (Casual for Hai, wakarimashita).
ううん、ちがう。 [ Uun, chigau. ]: No, that's wrong. (Casual for Iie, chigaimasu).

Cultural notes

Japanese society is deeply rooted in hierarchical relationships, age seniority, and the critical distinction between in-group (Uchi - 内) and out-group (Soto - 外). This societal structure is directly reflected in the language through its various speech levels. The Japanese language is famous for its honorific system, known as "Keigo" (敬語). However, for travelers and intermediate learners, mastering the two foundational levels is enough: polite speech and casual speech. Polite speech, called "Teineigo" (丁寧語), is characterized by the endings "Desu" (です) for nouns/adjectives and "Masu" (ます) for verbs. This is the default register used with strangers, shop staff, and colleagues you are not close to. As a foreigner, sticking strictly to Teineigo ensures you are always respectful and maintains a safe, polite distance. On the other hand, casual speech, often referred to as "Tameguchi" (タメ口) or dictionary form, is used exclusively with close friends, family members, or people clearly lower in social rank/age. For instance, the polite "Arigatou gozaimasu" simply becomes "Arigatou!", and the polite request "Tabemasu ka?" (Will you eat?) turns into the short "Taberu?". Using Tameguchi with a stranger or a service worker can come across as shockingly rude, arrogant, or overly familiar. However, when trying to make Japanese friends, failing to switch from polite Desu/Masu to casual Tameguchi when the relationship has deepened can create an invisible wall, making you seem cold or distant. Recognizing when to drop the polite forms, usually initiated by a phrase like "Tameguchi de ii desu ka" (タメ口でいいですか - Is it okay to speak casually?), is the key to forming true friendships in Japan.

✣

← Requests and permissions Contents Asking directions →

Other sections

Greetings Politeness and apologies Aizuchi and reactions Understanding and repeating Introducing yourself Basic questions Numbers and classifiers Time and dates Requests and permissions Asking directions Location Station and tickets IC cards Train and Shinkansen Subway Bus Taxi Airport Driving and cycling Restaurant Ordering food Izakaya Fast food Diets and allergies Bill and takeaway Convenience stores Supermarket and street stalls Clothes shopping Shopping and tax-free Checkout and refunds Hotel and Ryokan Room and facilities Onsen and public baths Check-out and lockers AirBnb and rules Wi-Fi and SIM Bank and money Post and administration Lost and found General health Describing symptoms Pains and body Pharmacy Hospital and clinic Emergencies Natural disasters Police and accidents Travel problems Family Work and colleagues Feelings and emotions Hobbies and pop culture Tourism and impressions Weather and seasons Invitations and outings Opinions and refusals Visiting someone's home Farewells and contact