Home Mail SiteMap

Verbs


Japanese verbs with all their forms are difficult to learn, remember and use. In this basic level we have dedicated over ten lessons to mastering verbs. The lessons will get progressively harder, but on completion of these lessons you should be very confident using verbs.

Japanese verbs fall into three groups based on the plain/dictionary form.

Japanese verb conjugation groups *
u (う） - ending verbs
* ru（る） - ending verbs
* Irregular verbs

In this lesson you will learn "dictionary" form and "masu" form of present tense affirmative verbs. Dictionary and masu forms differ in that the masu form is used in formal situations. As a general rule the dictionary form is used when speaking to family and close friends. The "masu" form is used at the workplace, when meeting people for the first time and when speaking to "important" people. Let's get started

Irregular Verbs
It is probably best to start with irregular verbs because there are only two and you'll use them daily. Repeat aloud after Kaoru Sensei.
 

No. Irregular Romaji Plain Form Masu Form
1 Do Suru する します
2 Come Kuru  くる きます



Ru-ending verbs
Ru-ending verbs can be broken in two groups; eru-ending and iru ending verbs. Knowing this will help you identify Ru-ending verbs form U-ending verbs. Some U-ending verbs do end with "ru" such as the verb "noru"(ride) and can confuse students. The masu form is made by dropping the ru and adding masu. Pretty easy stuff!

No. Ru - Verb Romaji Plain Form Masu Form
1 Eat Taberu たべる たべます
2. Watch, see, look at Miru みる みます
3 Sleep Neru ねる ねます
4 Wake up, get up Okiru おきる おきます

 

U-ending verbs
U-ending verbs are a little more complicated and require more attention. The way the verbs conjugate depends on the vowel or consonant that proceeds the u. When conjugating to the "masu" form just drop the u and add "imasu". Have a careful look at the chart below.
 

No. U - Verb Romaji Plain Form Masu Form
1 Drink Nomu のむ のみます
2 Buy Kau かう かいます
3 Talk Hanasu はなす はなします
4 Exist Aru ある あります
5 Play Asobu あそぶ あそびます
6 Swim Oyogu およぐ およぎます
7 Write Kaku かく かきます
8 Wait Matsu まつ ちます
9 Ride Noru のる のります
10 Die Shinu しぬ しにます


The Present Tense
The Japanese present tense verb has two functions. One, describing what a person habitually or regularly does, and two, what a person will or has planned to do in the future.
 
Watashi wa yoku terebi o mimasu I often watch TV. Habitual behavior
Konban wa eiga o mimas I will watch a movie tonight. Future plan or intention


Watashi wa yoku terebi o mimasu I often watch TV. Habitual behaviour Konban wa eiga o mimasu I will watch a movie tonight. Future plan or intention