Should I use the formal form (~ます) on the buttons of an app?


I'm an iOS app developer who's learning Japanese. I want to localize my app to
Japanese (make a Japanese version of it, basically). For context, my app falls
into the "Utilities" category on the app store.

In the user interface of my app, suppose there is a button that says "Save". I
want to replace the "Save" text with a Japanese translation. I thought of
three ways to do this:

  1. 保存
  2. 保存する
  3. 保存します

I'm wondering which one of those I should use. The first one is not a verb
since it doesn't have the する at the end. So I guess it doesn't really imply
that the button does a "save" action? Does this sound like, in English, when
there is a button that applies some settings, instead of "Apply", it says
"Application"? I think this is not appropriate, is it?

The second one sounds fine, but is it ok to use the plain form here? Is it too
informal to be in a Utility app? Should I use the third instead?

I have seen other apps use the first and second form, like 完了 (the "Done"
button) and 投稿する (I saw this in the Facebook app's "post" button). But since
Facebook is a Social app, I guess it is ok to use the plain form because it
sounds like Facebook is treating you like a close friend.

Which one should I use and why?




I'm actually a developer working for a Japanese programming company.  
It might depend on some people, but as far as buttons go.

> 「保存」、「登録」、「完了」、「キャンセル」

etc. seems like the way to go. Of course your will probably need a
confirmation box in which you will usually write in the ます form.

> 「削除します。よろしいですか？」

It might be more common to write a verb on the button for less obvious/common
actions like 「投稿する」

Also, I would probably not use the ます form on a button. If you feel like you
have to, する probably seems more natural. It doesn't feel like you have to be
polite with a button, it feels like the text on a button is what the client
say to you, and not what you say to the client, if that makes any sense.




I'm actually a developer working for a Japanese programming company.  
It might depend on some people, but as far as buttons go.

> 「保存」、「登録」、「完了」、「キャンセル」

etc. seems like the way to go. Of course your will probably need a
confirmation box in which you will usually write in the ます form.

> 「削除します。よろしいですか？」

It might be more common to write a verb on the button for less obvious/common
actions like 「投稿する」

Also, I would probably not use the ます form on a button. If you feel like you
have to, する probably seems more natural. It doesn't feel like you have to be
polite with a button, it feels like the text on a button is what the client
say to you, and not what you say to the client, if that makes any sense.

