Translation guide
In Japanese, contractions are common in casual speech and writing, where sounds are merged or dropped. This guide covers how to understand and use these shortened forms naturally.
The preparatory action form ～ておく contracts to ～とく in casual speech.
The completion/regret form ～てしまう contracts to ～ちゃう (after て) or ～じゃう (after で).
The negative conditional ～なければ contracts to ～なきゃ, often used with いけない omitted.
もう行かなきゃ。
I gotta go.
勉強しなきゃいけない。
I have to study.
The ては form contracts to ちゃ (after て) or じゃ (after で), often in prohibitions or conditionals.
ここで食べちゃだめだよ。
You can't eat here.
そんなことしちゃいけない。
You mustn't do that.
Shorten particles and the copula in informal contexts.
The explanatory のだ contracts to んだ in casual speech.
The particle combination では contracts to じゃ in casual speech.
The giving form ～てあげる can contract to ～たげる in very casual speech, though it can sound rough.
教えたげる。
I'll tell you.
Soften or shorten question and request forms.
Use common shortened word forms in casual conversation.
Short for スマートフォン (smartphone). Extremely common.
スマホ忘れた。
I forgot my phone.
Short for パーソナルコンピューター (personal computer).
Short for コンビニエンスストア (convenience store).
Casual shortening of ありがとう (thank you).
Most contractions are used in casual speech, with friends, family, or in informal writing. Avoid them in formal situations, business settings, or with superiors unless you are very close.
すみません、ちょっと待ってください。
Excuse me, please wait a moment. (polite, not contracted)
Using the full form is always safe and correct. Contractions add a casual, friendly tone. Overusing them can sound sloppy or rude.
何をしているのですか？ (full) → 何してるの？ (contracted)
What are you doing? (formal → casual)
My computer broke.
I'm going to the convenience store.
ありがと！
Thanks!