Kyou wa hima da
Short form | Long form | |
---|---|---|
Affirmative | kantan da (statement), kantan na (adjective) | kantan desu |
Negative | kantan janai | kantan janaidesu kantan jaarimasen |
Past-affirmative | kantan datta | kantan deshita |
Past-negative | kantan janakatta | kantan janakattadesu kantan jaarimasendeshita |
The short form of a noun-adjective is the same as that of a noun. This is because a noun-adjective, also known as an adjectival noun, functions similarly to a noun. In this context, a noun-adjective behaves like a noun, allowing it to perform the same grammatical roles. For example, in Japanese, “anzen” (safe) is a noun-adjective that can be used in the same way as a noun. This means that when forming sentences, a noun-adjective can serve as the subject, object, or complement, adhering to the same grammatical rules as a noun. Consequently, the conjugation patterns and sentence structures involving noun-adjectives mirror those of nouns.
How to make short forms
To conjugate noun-adjectives, you simply add “da”, “na”, “janai”, “datta”, or “janakatta” after the noun-adjective. There are no exceptions to this rule for the conjugation of noun-adjectives.
For short affirmatives, there are two types: one ending with “da” is used for statements, and another ending with “na” is used for qualification. For example, “kirei da” (It is beautiful) is a statement, while “kirei na hana” (a beautiful flower) is a qualification.
How to use short forms
There are two kinds of usage for the short forms in Japanese.
At the end of statements
Short forms are primarily used to convey direct statements. They serve various purposes, such as in soliloquies, formal reports, and other forms of direct communication. In soliloquies, individuals often use short forms to express personal thoughts or observations succinctly. Similarly, in formal reports or presentations, short forms are employed to convey information efficiently and clearly.
Additionally, short forms play a significant role in conversational contexts, particularly in relationships where there is a sense of closeness or familiarity between speakers. In such situations, short forms are commonly used to facilitate smoother and more relaxed interactions. However, in conversational settings, they are typically accompanied by ending particles that add nuance or emphasis to the statement.
Kyou wa hima da.
Eigo wa kantan janai.
Watashi wa kinou genki janakatta.
As modifier (in sentences)
Short forms in language function as modifiers, which can also take the form of clauses. Similar to adjectives, modifiers precede nouns to provide additional information or qualification. In the sentences below, words highlighted in orange serve as modifiers for the words that follow them. When a short affirmative form is used as a modifier in Japanese, it changes to “…na” before the noun it qualifies, indicating a descriptive or qualifying relationship.
shizuka na toshokan
hirokute shizuka na toshokan
taihendatta omoide
mukashi no taihendatta omoide