Desu, Arimasu, and Imasu question

Ok I have herd Desu, Arimasu, and Imasu all pronuced with out making the U sound Is this correct?

It is like saying them Des, Arimas and Imas. But on some Language CD they Pronuce the U.

Are both ways right?

And Yes I have heard that you should use Da instead of Desu. Why

Yes you are correct. Sometimes the 'u' sound at the end of those verbs is omitted, and sometimes it is not. Both ways are correct and commonly used. (I think women pronounce the 'u' more often then men. Correct me if I'm wrong). The reason? I'm not sure, but I'd guess because its just more fluid and its easier to carry on to another sentence. As an analogy, think of the phrase "What is up?". This is also commonly heard as "What's up?" => "Wassup?" => "sup?", so its kinda along those lines


As for using da instead of desu, it depends on the situation. Desu is more polite and is used to address those of higher stature. In my school, I learned the polite form of verbs before they taught us the plain form, so I don't think its necessarily 'wrong' to learn one form before the other because it depends on how the language is being taught to you.

My language CDs say they teach the "educated" form of Japanese. I assume this to mean it is a polite form a person can use in almost any situation and is acceptable. Especially since I would assume a person you are speaking to and understanding you are not fluent in the language would let mistakes pass as mistakes and not seem them as attempts to be rude or something. Just like in here in the US when dealing with people from other countries who do not speak perfect English it is no problem when they do not say every word in English or make grammar mistakes. You let it pass understanding English may be their second or third language.

Thanks for your input. My main question was over the U sound. Like I said I have heard some say the U sound and some leave it out, so eather way is right.

Actually, to reply on your question of the "u" sound at the end is that the country folk still use the u at the end. But if you go into to Tokyo or any city you will not hear the "u" at the end. It's kind of like the accent idea of a Texan to the New Yorkers.

Look at the date of the question. I don't think that they are coming back.