also: ためご
noun
casual language; informal speech
Refers to the casual, non-polite speech style used between close friends or people of equal status. Often contrasted with 敬語 (keigo, polite language) or 丁寧語 (teineigo, polite language).
先輩にタメ語を使うのは失礼だ。
It's rude to use casual language with a senior.
彼とは仲がいいので、いつもタメ語で話している。
Since we're close, I always speak to him in casual language.
Polite language marked by です・ます forms; more formal than タメ語 but less honorific than 敬語.
Synonymous with タメ語, also meaning casual speech; タメ口 is slightly more colloquial.
Compound of タメ (slang for 'same age' or 'equal', from 同じ) and 語 (language). The term likely originated in youth slang to describe speech without hierarchical politeness.