Generally, Japanese students tend to speak like a grammar book: "Is this a pen?", "This is a mechanical pencil", "I like the beautiful autumn air". However, you will not be able to express yourself fluently. You have to try to speak naturally!
Steps
Step 1. Use the forms desu or masu less, unless you are talking to a stranger or a person older than you
Step 2. Don't use too many formal particles
For example, say 'Sushi, taberu? instead of Sushi or tabemasho ka?. However, if it is a stranger or someone you should address formally, opt for the second sentence.
Step 3. Use lots of final particles, typical of the spoken language
The more you do it, the better! Example: Sou desu yo ne!. Of course, don't overdo it, or your attempt will seem forced. Use them sparingly. To be more precise, if you use one in one sentence, avoid it in the next two.
Step 4. Go to the phone and say Watashi desu kedo or Moshi moshi
Step 5. Never use watashi wa, kore wa and so on unless it causes confusion
Instead of kore wa, use a proper name - it's more polite and natural. As for your friends, you can refer to them by saying koitsu or aitsu, but remember that these words are so informal that they seem rude in some situations.
Step 6. Use anata only if you ask a question to a stranger
People usually refer to their friends using omae or kimi, but only do this with close ones.
Step 7. Observe how people around you speak
For example, you may prefer to use Taberaru but instead of Tabenasai. People will feel more comfortable around you if you try to adapt to their language.
Step 8. Say an almost inaudible n before making the sound g
But be careful, this can be quite inakamono ("from provincialotto") for some, but for people who come from the countryside also very natsukashii (that is, who can awaken nostalgic emotions).
Step 9. Pronounce like the Japanese
Try to really pronounce the ō and the chiisai tsu. You say Toukyo, just like native speakers. This step is a little more advanced, but learn long vowels and correct pronunciation. For example, the word kishi is pronounced "kshi" - have you ever noticed? And suki is pronounced "ski". Most u's are barely emitted or dumb.
Step 10. Say anou, etou or ja when you need time to think about an answer
These expressions are similar to our "um", "ahm" and "well". Use nanka often, but don't overdo it, otherwise it would be like saying "type" every two words in Italian.
Advice
- One more thing: try to imitate the way Japanese speak in real life, don't imitate anime, because nobody expresses themselves like that.
- Remember that Japanese has an accent system that features highs and lows, and this sets it apart from Italian. When Japanese actors want to imitate a foreigner, they use the dynamic accent.
- If you don't speak English very well but know English, you can try to make a good impression by inserting lots of Anglo-Saxon words in your sentences. The trick is to use easy words, which everyone knows, pronouncing them after having divided them into syllables with the katakana. For example, you might say You wa eigo ga so good desu! Honto ni you are good. Native speakers will understand you, feel smart and think you are too. And you won't have to put in a lot of effort.
