Learn Japanese Formal vs. Informal Speech Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are speaking to your professor. How would you politely ask, 'What is your professor's name?'

Accepted Answer

先生のお名前は何ですか。

Answer

The correct answer uses the honorific prefix 'お' (o) before '名前' (namae) to show respect towards the professor's name. It also uses the standard polite sentence ender 'ですか' (desu ka), which is appropriate for this context. 「何でございますか」 is overly formal, and 「何だ」 is too casual.

Question 2

A convenience store clerk is speaking to a customer. Which of the following phrases would they most likely use?

Accepted Answer

ありがとうございました。

Answer

「ありがとうございました」 (arigatou gozaimashita) is the formal past tense of 'thank you' and is the standard polite phrase used in customer service settings. The other options are informal: 「ありがとう」 (arigatou) is casual, 「どうも」 (doumo) is a very brief form of thanks, and 「あざっす」 (azassu) is slang.

Question 3

You want to say 'I will eat' in a casual conversation with a close friend. Which verb form is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

食べる (taberu)

Answer

The plain or dictionary form of a verb, like 「食べる」 (taberu), is used in informal or casual speech with friends and family. 「食べます」 (tabemasu) is the polite form. 「いただく」 (itadaku) is a humble expression for receiving/eating, and 「召し上がります」 (meshiagarimasu) is an honorific expression for when someone else eats.

Question 4

Which of the following sentences correctly uses humble language (謙譲語 - kenjougo) to say 'I will go to the teacher's office'?

Accepted Answer

先生のオフィスへ参ります。

Answer

「参ります」 (mairimasu) is the humble equivalent of 「行きます」 (ikimasu - to go). It is used to speak humbly about one's own actions when talking to someone of higher status. 「いらっしゃいます」 is the honorific form used for the actions of the respected person. 「行きます」 is polite but not specifically humble, and 「行く」 is the plain/casual form.

Question 5

When is it appropriate to use the plain form (e.g., だ, 食べる) instead of the polite form (e.g., です, 食べます)?

Accepted Answer

When talking with a younger sibling or a close friend.

Answer

The plain form (futsūtai) is used in casual situations with people you are close to, such as family and friends. In all other scenarios listed (business meeting, formal writing, speaking to an authority figure), the polite form (teineigo) is required to show respect and maintain appropriate social distance.

Learn Japanese Practice Test

Learn Japanese Practice Test

Learn Japanese Formal vs. Informal Speech Questions and Answers