GE08 · Plain form: casual speech

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the elementary level, and assume basic grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GE01say what you can do
• GE02say who gives what to whom
• GE03say what happens if or when
• GE04say what something looks like
• GE05say something is done or happened by mistake
• GE06say what always happens when…
• GE07say something happens anyway

What you learn

〜る／〜ない／〜た／〜だ

Among friends and family people speak in the plain form, without です or ます: みる (I see), みない (I don't), みた (I saw), あめだ (it's rain). The ない-form: -ru verbs change る to ない; the others go to the a row (のむ → のまない; う → わ). する → しない, くる → こない.

• きょうは がっこうに いかない。kyou wa gakkou ni ikanai.I'm not going to school today.
• コーヒーは のまない。koohii wa nomanai.I don't drink coffee.
• あしたは はたらかない。ashita wa hatarakanai.I'm not working tomorrow.
• きのう えいがを みた。kinou eiga o mita.I saw a film yesterday.
• あしたは あめだ。ashita wa ame da.It's going to rain tomorrow.
• ばんごはんを たべない。bangohan o tabenai.I'm not having dinner.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.