PlayInfoBox

Home /Language /What Is "Ra-Nuki Kotoba"? A Basic Guide to Japan's Dropped-Ra Verbs

What Is "Ra-Nuki Kotoba"? A Basic Guide to Japan's Dropped-Ra Verbs

Forms like "mireru" (can see) and "tabereru" (can eat) are called "ra-nuki kotoba" — widely used in everyday conversation, but considered something to be careful with in formal grammar.

What is ra-nuki kotoba

A form where the "ra" is dropped from the standard potential form made with "rareru" — so "mirareru" (can see) becomes "mireru," and "taberareru" (can eat) becomes "tabereru."

The verb group where it tends to occur

Ra-nuki kotoba tends to occur with ichidan (one-step conjugation) verbs like "miru" (see), "taberu" (eat), and "okiru" (get up). It doesn't occur with godan (five-step conjugation) verbs like "yomu" (read) or "kaku" (write), since those never form a "-rareru" potential to begin with.

It can help distinguish potential from passive/respectful meaning

"Taberareru" can mean potential (able to eat), passive (getting eaten by someone), or respectful, all at once. Some argue that using "tabereru" instead clarifies that only the potential meaning is intended — a point sometimes cited as an advantage.

Best avoided in formal documents and exams

While widely used in everyday conversation, the standard form "-rareru" is generally considered the safer choice in school settings, official documents, and formal speeches.

Studied as an example of language change

This remains a recurring topic in national surveys on language use, and is of linguistic interest as an example of how a spoken-language innovation coexists over time with prescriptive, standard usage.

Why it's sometimes called "corrupted" language

Because it deviates from the standard conjugation rules taught in school grammar, it is sometimes criticized as "corrupted" from a perspective that emphasizes traditional norms. On the other hand, some view the natural evolution of language over time as simply a normal phenomenon.

How widely is it actually used?

Government-run surveys on language use have repeatedly found that the share of people who say they use ra-nuki kotoba varies by generation and specific word — showing it has become fairly established in spoken language, while standard forms continue to be preferred in writing and formal settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will using ra-nuki kotoba be seen as a mistake?

It's widely used in everyday conversation and isn't necessarily strongly criticized, but in formal settings like interviews or official documents, the standard "-rareru" form is generally the safer choice.

Does ra-nuki happen with every verb?

No — it mainly occurs with ichidan verbs like "miru" and "taberu." It doesn't apply at all to godan verbs like "yomu" and "kaku."