Translation guide
How to express 'being formal' in Japanese, covering formal speech, formal situations, and formal attire.
The speaker wants to express that they or someone else is using formal or polite language, or that a situation requires such language.
Literally 'use honorific language'. This is the most direct and common way to say someone is being formal in speech.
彼はいつも敬語を使う。
He always uses formal language.
目上の人には敬語を使わなければなりません。
You must use formal language with superiors.
Means 'to use polite wording'. Emphasizes the careful, polite choice of words rather than strict honorifics.
面接では丁寧な言葉遣いをしてください。
Please use polite language during the interview.
Specifically refers to using the desu/masu form, the standard polite speech style. Useful when contrasting with casual speech.
先生にはです・ます体で話します。
I speak to the teacher using the polite form.
Means 'to use a formal/stiff manner of speaking'. Implies a very formal, sometimes rigid, style. Often used in written contexts or official settings.
式典では改まった言い方をします。
At ceremonies, we use formal language.
The speaker wants to describe a person's formal attitude, behavior, or the atmosphere of an event.
An i-adjective meaning 'stiff, formal, ceremonious'. Often carries a slightly negative nuance of being too formal or uncomfortable.
あのパーティーは堅苦しかった。
That party was too formal/stiff.
彼はいつも堅苦しい態度だ。
He always has a stiff/formal attitude.
A na-adjective meaning 'formal, perfunctory, according to form'. Emphasizes following formalities without necessarily genuine feeling.
Pre-noun adjectival form meaning 'formal, ceremonious, solemn'. Used to describe occasions, speech, or behavior.
改まった場では緊張する。
I get nervous in formal settings.
A verb meaning 'to be very formal/stiff/respectful'. Often used when someone is overly formal or rigid in posture or speech.
The speaker wants to talk about wearing formal clothes or a formal dress code.
The most common way to say 'formal attire'. Uses the loanword フォーマル.
今夜はフォーマルな服装でお越しください。
Please come in formal attire this evening.
Means 'formal dress, full dress'. Often used for events like weddings or ceremonies.
正装で出席してください。
Please attend in formal dress.
Specifically refers to 'formal wear' as a category of clothing, such as a suit or dress for ceremonies.
The speaker wants to express the act of making an agreement, decision, or relationship formal or official.
Means 'to make formal/official'. Used for agreements, decisions, etc.
契約を正式にしましょう。
Let's make the contract official.
A more technical term meaning 'to formalize'. Often used in business or legal contexts.
手続きを正式化する必要がある。
We need to formalize the procedure.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'to be formal'. The expression depends on what aspect of formality you mean: language, behavior, attire, or making something official. Using the wrong phrase can sound unnatural.
フォーマルである
This literal translation is not natural Japanese.
敬語 (keigo) is the broad category of honorific language. 丁寧語 (teineigo) is polite language, mainly the desu/masu form. タメ語 (tamego) is casual speech. When talking about being formal in speech, 敬語を使う is the safest choice.
形式的な挨拶だけだった。
It was just a formal greeting.
彼は上司の前ではかしこまっている。
He is very formal/stiff in front of his boss.
礼服を着る機会は少ない。
There are few opportunities to wear formal wear.