Forum Rocket Japanese Japanese Grammar Difference between tabemasen and tabenai

Difference between tabemasen and tabenai

J742129

J742129

January 2, 2014

What is the main difference between tabemasen and tabenai?
risa-rocket-japanese-tutor

risa-rocket-japanese-tutor

January 7, 2014

Fredさん、 こんにちは Th e main difference between 食(た)べません and 食(た)べない is that the first one is polite and the latter is casual. So you would use the ません form when you need to be polite. Maybe when you are talking with other adults, strangers or people who are higher in the social hierachy than you i.e. Boss, supervisor. E.g. When your boss offers you sake during dinner and you can't drink sake you would say: すみません。さけはのめません。 I'm sorry. I can't drink sake. But if your friend offers you たこやき(Takoyaki) and you can't eat octopus you can say: ごめん。たこがたべないんだ・の。 Sorry but I can't eat octopus. *You can use ない+んだ for males. The ない+んだ is used like です but is more colloquial and is used to give an explanation/reason. Girls can use ない+の. Lisa
J742129

J742129

January 7, 2014

どもありがと Lisaさん!
risa-rocket-japanese-tutor

risa-rocket-japanese-tutor

January 27, 2014

Fredさん、 You can just say どうも (informal, casual way of saying thanks) or どうもありがとうございます。 Don't forget the "う”s ;)
J742129

J742129

February 3, 2014

Thank you Risa-san!

Want to post a comment? Just take a free Rocket Languages trial

Select one of the languages below and sign up in 60 seconds. Join our user forum and experience Rocket Languages for yourself!

Let's get you talking in Japanese.

We love Japanese people and Japanese culture - from riveting anime and comforting ramen to the majestic Mt. Fuji and the breathtaking sights of Kyōto! And there's no better way to connect with them than by learning 日本語 (Japanese).

No credit card required