i know that dropping particles is very common in japanese, but how do i know when it's appropriate to do so? i think i have somewhat of an idea, but i wanna make sure i'm fully understanding it so i don't sound like an idiot
I honestly don't know the answer to your question I just want to want to say; someone told me this a while ago and it completely changed how I view my learning.
There is no sounding like a idiot. There is only sounding like You're Learning. Thinking negativly about yourself like that when you're trying to learn something (example: "oh, if I don't learn this right I'm going to sound stupid") is only gonna break yourself down and eventually make you want to not learn the language anymore.
Please don't hesitate to let me know if this was totally uncalled for or if didn't make sense.
i know that dropping particles is very common in japanese, but how do i know when it's appropriate to do so? i think i have somewhat of an idea, but i wanna make sure i'm fully understanding it so i don't sound like an idiot
You can use it when you are around your friends, family, relatives etc ie those who you know. Of course you can't use it with the senior ones like your senpai, boss etc instead you would have to use humble and honorifics for them. As you progress you will be able to figure it out when to drop and when and where to not. Poems, articles, songs also have times (mostly) where the particles are dropped.
When you don't know and it's your first meeting, stay neutral, make complete sentences and ask.
A lot of people have that image that everything should be guess from the context but the reality is that, even between japanese, first time interaction are often awkward. They spend a significant time trying to gauge the appopriate distance, how should they interact with each other, etc. Because they don't know too. So they just ask.
なんて呼んだらいいですか (How should I call you?) 敬語をやめますか？(Should we stop using polite speech?) etc
With a lot of "twisted" way to ask indirectly too (twisted for a foreigner)
And if they are ok with that, then you can start to be more casual and drop more particules. And if you're not sure, just imitate then first. Or simply don't drop them. You won't ever sound like a idiot if you do that. Also, even japanese sometimes drop too much particules or words. And after that, they just have to correct themselves. They are even typical way to do that (from both sides).
For example: 何が?/何を? (if you didn't understand what the others were talking about) 美味しい、この唐揚げは (when you're self correcting yourself mid sentence because you realize that it was maybe unclear)
In full casual speech, the question is not really "when should you drop the particule?" but more like "When should I use particle?". Because the default mode is to drop almost everything.
- は、が、を are often dropped - に、で, it's a bit more complicated for those but they can be dropped too - よ、ね and other sentences particule belong to another category. They're "interactive particles", they change the "tone" of the sentence (smoother, rougher, etc)
If they are okay with casual speech, the problem isn't really to be inapropriate. It's more like "will your sentences still make sense?". And there are no general rule for that. Because it's a case by case situation. But with time and exposure, you will become better. Plus, as a foreigner, you have an unlimited free pass. Between japaneses, they are more sensible to that kind of thing but with foreigner, they are "too" nice 95 % of the time.
BUT, ask first. Like a normal japanese would do in a casual situation where they try to gauge the distance and see what is possible.
PS: By casual situation, I mean online interaction, in a bar, etc. Situation where you can expect or want to be friend with them in the future. With stranger on the street, it will be weird.
