Originally Posted by KyleGoetz (Post 813152)

Motomoto is a native Japanese speaker and knew the letter was to a friend (it's obvious from the content of the email).

I recently wrote a letter to my hostmother using plain form, and she corrected my letter, replacing every instance of plain form with polite. She then wrote me a note:

Originally Posted by sakaeyellow (Post 813139)

Erica

I am the original translator of the letter and got corrected by another member.

I want to tell you that in Japanese, if you are being too formal to your friend, you are keeping your distance and may be regarded as unfriendly. As a result, your letter may do more harm than good.

A good rule of thumb is whether you two are on first name basis or calling each other Mr and Ms.

If it is possible, please tell us more details and let native speakers here choose the best level of formality for you. As for the details, your ages are very important. If he is significantly older than you, you should not just call him by his first name in Japanese.

Originally Posted by erica4240 (Post 813171)

We are friends, but to to close and same age.
we greet each other when we, and talks sometimes
but we are not hangout buddies
my friends a he and i am a girl

Originally Posted by sakaeyellow (Post 813183)

Then please use motomoto's version. But I can't see some of his Japanese characters. I'm not sure if it's my problem...