Casual conversation expressions

Schedules and plans

In everyday conversation, schedules and plans are expressed with several patterns that need to be distinguished. 「〜までに」 (no later than, by) indicates the deadline by which an action must be finished, while 「〜まで」 (until) indicates the span of time over which a state continues. The two often appear close together, so the difference must be noted. A deadline may change when new notice is given, so the listener must follow the information that is conveyed last.

A plan that has already been decided is expressed with 「〜ことになった」 (it has been decided that). A plan that has already been arranged is expressed with 「〜予定です」 (it is scheduled), while a personal intention is expressed with 「〜つもり」 or 「〜と思っている」 (intend to, think of doing). An intention is weaker than 予定 because it is not certain to be carried out.

To ask for a change in schedule, the pattern 「〜てもらえませんか」 (could you please ...) is used, and an answer that accepts the request usually begins with 「はい、いいですよ」 and is followed by detailed questions such as 「何時からでしたっけ」 (what time does it start, again?).

Permission and time conditions are expressed with 「〜なら大丈夫です」 (if ..., it is fine). This pattern is used to agree to a time proposed by the other person, for example a particular day or hour.

To ask about or propose a time, 「何時にしましょうか」 (what time shall we make it?) is used. The answer is a concrete hour, for example 「七時でお願いします」 (seven o'clock, please), and an answer that does not mention a time does not answer the question.

「〜ごろ」 expresses an approximate time, while 「空いている」 (free, not busy) is used to express a time that is unoccupied.

The pattern 「〜そうです」 (it seems, it is likely) is used to predict a situation based on the current condition, for example 「遅れそうです」 (it seems I will be late). The pattern 「〜場合がございます」 (there may be cases where ...) is a polite expression for giving a warning about consequences.

Obligation is expressed with 「〜なければなりません」 (must), and its casual forms 「〜なきゃ」 or 「〜ないといけない」 are also commonly used.

Patterns ～ておく and ～た (actions done beforehand)

「〜ておく」 (doing something beforehand in preparation) expresses an action done deliberately for the sake of later. Its casual forms 「〜とく」 or 「〜ておいた」 (have already done beforehand) often appear in conversation. This pattern is used when someone asks for or states that they will do something first, for example 「先に食べておくね」 (I will eat first).

The difference from 「〜てある」 (a state left behind as the result of someone's action) needs attention. 「〜てある」 expresses the condition of an object that is already in a certain state, for example 「印刷してあります」 (it has been printed and is available). This form emphasizes the present state, not the action.

「〜た」 expresses an action that has been completed. In answers stating a condition, 「〜たよ」 is used to inform that something has been done, for example 「さっき取り込んだよ」 (I already brought it in a little while ago). The 「〜た」 form is also used in the question 「〜た？」 to ask whether something has been finished.

The words 「まだ」 (not yet) and 「もう」 (already) often accompany this pattern to express the progress of an action.

Casual invitations and desires

An invitation in casual speech is expressed with 「〜ない？」 (won't you ...?) or 「〜ようか」 (how about ...?). The form 「〜ましょう」 is more polite. To respond to an invitation, the expression 「いいね」 (sounds good) or 「いいよ」 (okay) is used in casual speech, whereas a refusal is usually accompanied by a reason with 「ごめん」 (sorry) or 「ちょっと」 (a bit).

「〜ようか」 is also used to offer doing something together, for example 「作ろうか」 (how about we cook?). An answer that accepts the invitation may be followed by a follow-up question about the details.

Desire is expressed with 「〜たい」 (want to ...). In casual conversation, the form 「〜たいな」 (I want to ..., you know) is used to express a desire gently. Example: 「カレーが食べたいな」 (I want to eat curry, you know).

Information heard from others is expressed with 「〜んだって」 (I hear that ...) or 「〜らしい」 (apparently, it seems). 「〜んだって」 is used to convey information obtained from another party, whereas 「〜らしい」 expresses a conjecture based on evidence.

The expression 「楽しみ」 (something to look forward to) is used to express a feeling of pleasure toward an upcoming plan, for example 「楽しみなんだ」 (I'm looking forward to it)。

Casual expressions at home

Within the family, expressions are made more relaxed by dropping 「です・ます」 and using short forms. The form 「〜てる」 is the casual form of 「〜ている」, for example 「できてるよ」 (it's ready, you know). This form is used to report a state that has been ongoing to family members.

「もう」 (already) and 「まだ」 (not yet) are often used to ask about or answer the progress of an activity at home. The question 「もう〜た？」 is answered with 「いや、まだなんだ」 (no, not yet) in casual speech.

To report words heard from someone else, the form 「〜って」 is used as a casual quotation, for example 「前から〜って言ってたよ」 (he or she has been saying since long ago that ...). The form 「〜ってた」 expresses words that were said in the past.