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N3

Written vs Spoken Japanese

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Written style vs spoken style

Written Japanese tends to use clearer structure, more formal connectors, and fewer contractions. Spoken Japanese allows omission, informal endings, and conversational shortcuts. Register helps you predict what grammar and vocabulary are likely to appear.

  1. Target signal

    しかし、利用者数は減少している。

    However, the number of users is decreasing.

    Written-style connector.

    Vocabulary notes
    ている〜ている
    to be doing; to be in a resulting state
    しかし
    however
    利用者りようしゃ
    user

  2. Compare in context

    でも、使う人は減ってるよ。

    But fewer people are using it, you know.

    Spoken-style connector plus contraction.

    Vocabulary notes
    って
    colloquial quoting or topic particle
    でも
    but; however
    使うつかう
    to use

Section 2 of 3

Typical contrasts

Written language often uses そのため, 一方で, and 〜のである-style explanation. Spoken language often uses だから, でも, って, んだ, and shortened forms. The content may be similar, but the texture is different.

  1. Target signal

    天候が悪い。そのため、試合は延期された。

    The weather is bad. Therefore, the game was postponed.

    Written Japanese often uses formal connectors and compact report-like style.

    Vocabulary notes
    そのため
    for that reason; therefore
    ため〜ため
    because of; for the purpose of
    その
    that

  2. Preview

    天気が悪いから、試合は延期になったんだ。

    Because the weather is bad, the game got postponed.

    Spoken Japanese prefers familiar connectors and explanatory endings.

    Vocabulary notes
    んだ〜んだ
    you know; the thing is; explanatory tone
    から
    from; because
    天気てんき
    weather

Section 3 of 3

Reading focus

Before reading closely, identify the medium: article, notice, email, interview, text message, or dialogue. This tells you whether to expect formal connectors and packed noun phrases, or colloquial omission and contractions.

  1. Target signal

    本日は休業とさせていただきます。

    We will be closed today.

    Formal written or service style.

    Vocabulary notes
    いた
    was there
    ただ
    however; simply; merely
    ます
    polite verb ending

  2. Preview

    今日は休みなんだ。

    We are off today.

    Spoken-style explanation.

    Vocabulary notes
    なんだ
    it is that; indeed it is
    んだ〜んだ
    you know; the thing is; explanatory tone
    今日きょう
    today

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Written vs Spoken Japanese changes the meaning before you check the translation.

しかし、利用者数は減少している。 でも、使う人は減ってるよ。 天候が悪い。そのため、試合は延期された。 天気が悪いから、試合は延期になったんだ。 本日は休業とさせていただきます。 今日は休みなんだ。 もう一度読んでください。前後の文を比べてください。場面と話し手を考えてください。意味の流れを最後まで確認して、使い分けを考えてください。もう一度読んでください。前後の文を比べてください。場面と話し手を考えてください。意味の流れを最後まで確認して、使い分けを考えてください。もう一度読んでください。前後

Show English translation

However, the number of users is decreasing. But fewer people are using it, you know. The weather is bad. Therefore, the game was postponed. Because the weather is bad, the game got postponed. We will be closed today. We are off today.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Written vs Spoken Japanese changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Written vs Spoken Japanese changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Written vs Spoken Japanese in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which expression sounds more written and formal?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Written vs Spoken Japanese).

しかし、利用者数は減少し＿＿＿。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1でも、使う人は減ってるよ。
  2. 2天候が悪い。そのため、試合は延期された。
  3. 3しかし、利用者数は減少している。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Written vs Spoken Japanese in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4

Which expression sounds more written and formal?