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.
Express everyday phrases in a relaxed, informal way by contracting sounds.
The progressive/state form ～ている is often contracted to ～てる in casual speech. The い is dropped.
What are you doing?
I'm reading a book.
The preparatory action form ～ておく contracts to ～とく in casual speech.
I'll leave the door open.
I did my homework in advance.
The completion/regret form ～てしまう contracts to ～ちゃう (after て) or ～じゃう (after で).
I ate it all (oops).
The negative conditional ～なければ contracts to ～なきゃ, often used with いけない omitted.
I have to study.
The ては form contracts to ちゃ (after て) or じゃ (after で), often in prohibitions or conditionals.
You can't eat here.
You mustn't do that.
Shorten particles and the copula in informal contexts.
The explanatory のだ contracts to んだ in casual speech.
What are you doing? (explanatory tone)
Oh, I see. (Is that so?)
The particle combination では contracts to じゃ in casual speech.
Well then, see you.
The giving form ～てあげる can contract to ～たげる in very casual speech, though it can sound rough.
I'll tell you.
Soften or shorten question and request forms.
In casual requests, ください is often dropped, leaving just the て-form.
Look at this.
The negative question ～ない？ can contract to ～ん？ in very casual male speech.
Use common shortened word forms in casual conversation.
Short for スマートフォン (smartphone). Extremely common.
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.
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.
What are you doing? (formal → casual)
It's not here.
パソコンが壊れた。
My computer broke.
コンビニに行ってくる。
I'm going to the convenience store.
ありがと！
Thanks!