Usage & register · N4
Common casual contractions: 〜てる, 〜ちゃう, 〜なきゃ
Recognize compressed spoken forms as familiar grammar, not a new language.
In short
Conversation often shortens forms you already know: 〜ている→〜てる, 〜てしまう→〜ちゃう/〜じゃう, 〜なければ→〜なきゃ, では→じゃ.
How it works
These are common in informal speech and dialogue. Understanding the full form underneath them makes them far easier to parse.
Useful contrast
Contraction is about register and speech flow. It does not erase the original grammar or make every contracted form appropriate everywhere.
Examples
何してる？
What are you doing?
行かなきゃ。
I have to go.
Common pitfall
Do not copy casual contractions into formal emails, customer interactions or polite first meetings without considering register.