Group u-verbs

Polite Forms of Verbs

Grou
Dictionar English Present
pI
Goda y
(stem +
n
masu)
Verbs

to go

(iku)

Past

(-)ve Present 'Te'

Potential

Imperative

(stem +

(stem +

see

(delete 'u' (stem + nasai)

mashita)

masen)

below

+ eru)

(ikimasu)

(ikimashita)

(ikimasen)a

(itte)

(ikeru)

(ikinasai)

to go

(kaeru)

back

(kaerimasu) (kaerimashita) (kaerimasen) (kaette)

(kaereru)

(karerinasai)

to

(arau)

wash

(araimasu)

(araimashita)

(araimasen)

(aratte)

(araeru)

(arainasai)

to read

(yomimasu) (yomimashita) (yomimasen) (yonde)

(yomeru)

(yominasai)

(yomu)

to

(nomu)

drink

(nomimasu) (nomimashita) (nomimasen) (nonde)

to buy

(nomeru) (nominasai)

(kaimasu)

(kaimashita)

(kaimasen)

(katte)

(kaeru)

(kainasai)

to sing

(utaimasu)

(utaimashita)

(utaimasen)

(utatte)

(utaeru)

(utainasai)

(kau)

(utau)

to

(okuru)

send

(okurimasu) (okurimashita) (okurimasen) (okutte)

(okureru)

(okurinasai)

to

(manabu) learn

to

(tsukuru) make

n)

e)

u)

(urimasu)

(urimashita)

(urimasen)

(utte)

(ureru)

(urinasai)

(tsukurimas (tsukurimashit (tsukurimase (tsukutte (tsukureru (tsukurinasai)

u)

to rest

(yasumu)

a)

to sell

(uru)

(manabimas (manabimashit (manabimase (manand (manaber (manabinasai)

u)

a)

n)

(yasumimas (yasumimashit (yasumimase (yasunde (yasumer (yasuminasai)

u)

a)

n)

u)

omou

to

()

think

(omoimasu) (omoimashita) (omoimasen) (omotte) (omoeru) (omoinasai)

to say

(iu)

(iimasu)

(iimashita)

(iimasen)

(itte)

(ieru)

(iinasai)

to

(kaku)

write

(kakimasu)

(kakimashita)

(kakimasen)

(kaite)

(kakeru)

(kakinasai)

to talk

(hanasu)

(hanashimas (hanashimashi (hanashimas (hanashit (hanaseru (hanashinasai)

u)

to use

(tsukau)

ta)

en)

e)

(tsukaimasu (tsukaimashita (tsukaimasen (tsukatte (tsukaeru) (tsukainasai)

)
to

(hataraku work

(hatarakima (hatarakimashi

(hataraker (hatarakinasai)

su)

(kiku)

to hear
(kikimasu)

ta)

(hatarakimas (hatarait u)
en)

e)

(kikimashita)

(kikimasen)

(kiite)

(kikeru)

(kikinasai)

Note: 1. The stem form is derived by deleting the last 'u' from the dictionary form and adding a 'i' to
it.
2. The negative past form can be created by adding 'deshita' to the present negative form
For eg: ikimasen -ikimasendeshita.

'Te' form usage and conjugation rules:

Group I (Yodan) verbs:
Verbs ending with 'u', like kau (to buy): replace the final 'u' with 'tte' katte
Verbs ending with 'ku', like kiku (to listen; to ask): replace the final 'ku'
with 'ite' - kiite.
IMP NOTE: Please note this one important exception:iku. It's
important because it's used a lot. The Te Form of iku (to go) is
itte, not iite.
Verbs ending with 'gu','mu','bu':like isogu (to hurry):replace the final 'gu'
with 'ide' - isoide.
Verbs ending with 'su' like kasu (to lend): replace the final 'su' with 'shite' kashite.
Verbs ending with 'tsu', like matsu (to wait): replace the final 'tsu' with
'tte' - matte.

Verbs ending with 'nu', shinu (to die): replace the final 'u' with 'de' shinde.
Verbs ending with 'bu', like asobu (to play): replace the final 'bu' with
'nde'- asonde.
Verbs ending with 'mu', like yomu (to read): replace the final 'mu' with
'nde' - yonde.
Verbs ending with 'ru', like kaeru (to return): replace the final 'ru' with 'tte'
- kaette.
Note: Please remember that while most verbs that end in eru or
iru are Group II, there are some Group I exceptions like the two
used here.

Group ru-verbs
Polite Forms of Verbs
Group
Dictionar English Present
II
Ichida y
(stem +
n
masu)
Verbs

to see

(miru)

Past

(-)ve Present 'Te'

Potential

Imperative

(stem +

(stem +

see

(delete 'u' + (stem + nasa

mashita)

masen)

below

eru)

(mimasu)

(mimaseta)

(mimasen)

(mite)

(mirareru)

(minasai)

to wake

(okiru)

up

(okimasu)

(okimashita)

(okimasen)

(okite)

(okirareru)

(okinasai)

to eat

(taberu)

(tabemasu) (tabemashita) (tabemasen) (tabete) (taberareru) (tabenasai)

to

(neru)

sleep

(nemasu)

(nemashita)

(nemasen)

(nete)

(nerareru)

(nenasai)

to

(shiraber search (shirabema (shirabemashi (shirabemas (shirabet (shiraberare (shirabenasa

u)

su)
to open

(akeru)

(akemasu)
to close

(shimeru)

ta)

en)

e)

ru)

(akemashita) (akemasen)

(akete)

(akerareru)

(akenasai)

(shimemasu (shimemashit (shimemase (shimete (shimerarer (shimenasai)

to

a)

n)

u)

(wakarer seperat (wakaremas (wakaremashi (wakaremas (wakaret (wakarerarer (wakarenasai

u)

u)

ta)

en)

e)

u)

Note: The stem form is derived by deleting the last 'ru' from the dictionary form.
2. The negative past form can be created by adding 'deshita' to the present negative.
3. The potential form in Group II verbs are formed by added 'rareru' to the stem form.

Group II (Ichidan) verbs:

In Group II verbs the 'te' form is conjugated by adding 'te' to the stem of
the verb. For instance, 'taberu' will become 'tabete'.

Group Irregular verbs

Polite Forms of Verbs
Group
Dictionary
III
Irregul
ar
Verbs

English

Present Past

(-)ve

'Te'

Potentia Imperative

(stem + (stem +

Present

see

masu)

(stem + belo (delete

mashita)

masen)

(stem +
nasai)

'u' +
eru)

to do

(suru)

(shimas (shimashit (shimase (shit (dekiru) (shinasai)

to come

(kuru)

u)

a)

n)

e)

(kimasu (kimashita (kimasen (kite) (korarer (kinasai)

)

u)

Note:1. The stem form of 'Suru' is 'shi' and 'Kuru' is 'ki'.

2. The negative past form can be created by adding 'deshita' to the present negative.
3. The potential form in Group III are conjugated in a totally different way.

Group III (Ichidan) verbs:

There are only 2 Group III verbs, the 'te' form of which is 'Suru' - 'Shite'
and 'Kuru' - 'Kite'.

One of the characteristics of the Japanese language is

that the verb generally comes at the end of the
sentence. Since Japanese's sentences often omit the
subject, the verb is probably the most important part in
understanding the sentence. However, Verbs forms are
considered to be difficult to learn. The good news is the
system itself is rather simple, as far as memorizing

certain rules. Unlike the more complex verb conjugation

of other languages,Japanese verbs do not have a
different form to indicate the person (first-, second, and
third-person), the number (singular and plural), or
gender.
Japanese verbs are roughly divided into three groups
according to their dictionary form (basic form).
Group 1: ~ U ending verbs
The basic form of Group 1 verbs end with "~ u". This
group is also called Consonant-stem verbs or Godandoushi (Godan verbs).

hanasu - to speak

kaku - to write

kiku - to listen

matsu - to wait

nomu - to drink
Group 2: ~ Iru and ~ Eru ending verbs
The basic form of Group 2 verbs end with either "~iru"
or "~ eru". This group is also called Vowel-stem-verbs
or Ichidan-doushi (Ichidan verbs).
~ Iru ending verbs

kiru - to wear

miru - to see

okiru - to get up

oriru - to get off

shinjiru - to believe
~ Eru ending verbs

akeru - to open

ageru - to give

deru - to go out

neru - to sleep

taberu - to eat
There are some exceptions. The following verbs belong
to Group 1, though they end with "~ iru" or "~ eru".

hairu - to enter

hashiru - to run

iru - to need

kaeru - to return

kagiru - to limit

kiru - to cut

shaberu - to chatter

shiru - to know
Group 3: Irregular verbs
There are only two irregular verbs, kuru (to come) and
suru (to do).
The verb "suru" is probably the most often used verb in
Japanese. It is used as "to do," "to make," or "to cost". It
is also combined with many nouns (of Chinese or
Western origin) to make them into verbs. Here are
some examples.

benkyousuru - to study

ryokousuru - to travel

yushutsusuru - to export

dansusuru - to dance

shanpuusuru - to shampoo

All About Japanese Verbs (2)

Verb Conjugations

More of this Feature

Verb Groups
The ~ te Form

In this lesson, you will learn how Japanese verbs

conjugate. If you are not familiar with verbs yet, read
"Japanese Verb Groups" first. Then, learn "The ~te
form," which is a very useful form of the Japanese verb.
Dictionary Form
The dictionary form (basic form) of all Japanese verbs end with "u". This is
the form listed in the dictionary, and is the informal, present affirmative
form of the verb. This form is used among close friends and family in
informal situations.
The ~ masu Form (Formal Form)
The suffix "~ masu" is added to the dictionary form of the verbs to make
sentence polite. Aside from changing the tone, it has no meaning. This
form is used in situations required politeness or a degree of formality, and
is more appropriate for general use. Check outthe ~ masu form of the
basic verbs.

Group 1

Group 2
Group 3

The ~ masu Form

Take off the final ~u, and add
~ imasu
kaku --- kakimasu, nomu --nomimasu
Take off the final ~ru, and add ~ masu
miru --- mimasu, taberu --- tabemasu
kuru --- kimasu, suru --- shimasu

The ~ masu Form minus "~ masu" is the stem of the verb. The verb stems
are useful since many verb suffixes are attached to them.
~ Masu Form
kakimasu
nomimasu
mimasu
tabemasu
Present Tense

The stem of the verb

kaki
nomi
mi
tabe

Japanese verb forms have two main tenses, the present and the past.
There is no future tense. The present tense is used for future and habitual
action as well. The informal form of the present tense is the same as the
dictionary form. The ~ masu form is used in formal situations.
Past Tense
The past tense is used to express actions completed in the past (I saw, I
bought etc.) and present perfect tense (I have read, I have done etc.).
Forming the informal past tense is simpler for Group 2 verbs, but more
complicated for Group 1 verbs. The conjugation of Group 1 verbs varies
depending on the consonant of the last syllable on the dictionary form. All
Group 2 verbs have the same conjugation pattern.

Formal
Informal

Group 1
Replace ~ u with ~ imashita

Formal

(1) Verb ending with ~ ku:

replace ~ ku with ~ ita
(2) Verb ending with ~ gu:
replace ~ gu with ~ ida
(3) Verb ending with ~ u, ~tsu and
~ ru:
replace them with ~ tta
(4) Verb ending with ~ nu, ~bu
and ~ mu:
replace them with ~ nda
(5) Verb ending with ~ su:
replace ~ su with ~ shita
Group 2
Take off ~ru, and add ~ mashita

Informal

Take off ~ru, and add ~ ta

kaku --- kakimashita

nomu --- nomimashita
kaku --- kaita
kiku --- kiita
isogu --- isoida
oyogu --- oyoida
utau --- utatta
matsu --- matta
kaeru --- kaetta
shinu --- shinda
asobu --- asonda
nomu --- nonda
hanasu --- hanashita
dasu --- dashita
miru --- mimashita
taberu ---tabemashita
miru --- mita
taberu --- tabeta

Group 3
kuru --- kimashita, suru --- shimashita
kuru --- kita, suru ---shita

Formal
Informal
Present Negative

To make sentence negative, verb endings are changed into negative forms
(The ~ nai Form).
Formal

All Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)

Replace ~ masu with ~ masen nomimasu --- nomimasen

tabemasu --- tabemasen

kimasu --- kimasen
shimasu --- shimasen
Informal

Group 1
Replace the final ~ u with ~anai
(If verb ending is a vowel + ~ u,
replace with ~ wanai)
Group 2
Replace ~ ru with ~ nai

kiku --- kikanai

nomu --- nomanai
au --- awanai
miru --- minai
taberu --- tabenai

Group 3
kuru --- konai, suru ---shinai
Past Negative
Formal

Informal

All Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)

Add ~ deshita to
nomimasen --- nomimasen deshita
the formal present
tabemasen --- tabemasen deshita
negative form
kimasen--- kimasen deshita
shimasen--- shimasen deshita
All Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)
Replace ~ nai
nomanai --- nomanakatta
with ~ nakatta
tabenai --- tabenakatta
konai --- konakatta
shinai ---shinakatta

Adjectives
Chart of some adjectives used in daily life: '(i)' adjectives and '(na)'
adjectives. All '(i)' adjectives end in ' (i)' . The'(na)' adjectives are
adjectives which are made into an adjective by adding '(na)'to a noun.
The '' adjectives remain as they are when converted to nouns.

Chart of some adjectives used in daily life

- adjectives

Hiragana/Ka
nji
()

Romaji
atsui

Typical
means
hot

Examples
(atsui kisetsu),

Hot season
()

samui

cold

(samui chihou),
Cold region

()

atarashii new

(atarashii hon),
New book

()

furui

old

(furui fuku), Old

clothes

()

ookii

big

(ookii tokei),
Large clock

()

chiisai

small

(chiisai kutsu),
Small shoes

ii/yoi

good

(ii ongaku), Good

music

()

warui

bad

(warui kotoba),
Bad words

oishii

delicious,
tasty

(oishii
okashi), Delicious sweets

omoshir interesting (omoshiroi

oi
eiga), Interesting Movies

- adjectives

Hiragana/Kanj
i

Romaji

() benrina

Typical
means

Examples

convenient (benrina
kuruma), Convenient
vehicle

() genkina healthy,
well

(genkina
kodomo), Healthy child

()

sukina

favorite

(sukina joyuu),
Favorite Actress

kireina

pretty

(kireina iro),
Pretty colors

famous

(yuumeina
sakka), Famous writers

() yuumei
na

Adjective Conjugation

Adjectives can be conjugated in Japanese like verbs. Here are some

conjugations and the examples related to it.
An adjective can be in either present or past tense and either in
affirmative or in negative form. Following Chart shows the above four
forms for both types of adjectives.
- adjectives

adjective

Present
Affirmative

Present
Negative

Past
Affirmative

Past
Negative

()

(
)

()

NOTE:Please note that adjective '' conjugates in a different

manner. Here changes to

By following the above rules you can conjugate any of 'i' adjectives. Here
are some examples sentences with adjectives.

() ()

Yesterday's movie was interesting.
Kinou no eiga wa omoshirokattadesu.
Note:The particle '' is used to express stress. We you want to say
something about your likes and dislikes rather than comparing two things
we use '' not ''.

Names of the months

Kanji

Hiragana

Romaji

English

ichigatsu

January

Nigatsu

February

sangatsu

March

Shigatsu

April

Gogatsu

May

rokugatsu June

shichigats
July
u

hachigats
August
u

Kugatsu

1
2
3
4
5

Septemb
er

11

12

10

Juugatsu

October

juuichigat Novembe

su
r
juunigatsu

Decembe
r

Remarks:
1. mean one to
ten respectively.
2. mean "eleven" and "twelve" respectively.
Their literal meanings are "ten one" and "ten two". Both
Japanese and Chinese contruct numbers this way.

3.
means "month" here. It also has another
meaning "moon".
4. These names of the months are used both in
Japanese and Chinese. But of course, the
pronunciations are different.
5. It is also acceptable to use numbers, e.g. 1
.
Days of the week
Kanji

Hiragana Romaji
nichiyoub

English

bi

Monday

Tuesday

getsuyou
kayoubi

Sunday

Wednesda
y

bi

Thursday

kinyoubi
doyoubi

Friday

suiyoubi
mokuyou

Saturday

Remarks:
1. mean "sun, moon, fire,
water, wood, gold and earth" respectively.
2. They are NOT used in Chinese.
Days of the month

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Kanji

Hiragana

Romaji

English

tsuitachi

1st

futsuka

2nd

mikka

3rd

yokka

4th

itsuka

5th

muika

6th

nanoka

7th

youka

8th


10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

21

22

23

kokonoka

9th

dooka

10th

juuichinichi

11th

juuninichi

12th

juusannichi

13th

juuyonnichi

14th

juugonichi

15th

juurokunichi

16th

juushichinichi

17th

juuhachinichi

18th

juukunichi

19th

hatsuka

20th

nijuuichinichi

21st

nijuuninichi

22nd

nijuusannichi

23rd

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

24

nijuuyonnichi

24th

nijuugonichi

25th

nijuurokunichi

26th

nijuushichinichi 27th

nijuuhachinichi 28th

nijuukunichi

29th

sanjuunichi

30th

sanjuuichinichi 31st

Remarks:
1. It is okay to use numbers, e.g. .
2. Except for 1st to 10th and 20th, all are pronounced
the Chinese way, which is also known as Onyomi. As a
result, some of their pronunciations are crazily long. But
don't worry, all you need to do is learn the Onyomi
(Chinese-style pronunciation) of numbers 1 to 10.
Long words like "nijuushichinichi" (27th) simply means

"two-ten-seven-day". You are NOT required to

remember 31 new words.
Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow, etc
Kanji
1
2
3
4
5
6

Hiragana Romaji English

ototoi

The day before

yesterday

kinou

yesterday

kyou

today

asu

ashita

asatte

tomorrow
the day after
tomorrow

Week

senshuu

last week

konshuu

this week

raishuu

next week

Last, this & next

Month

Year

sengetsu

last month

kyonen

last year

kongetsu

this month

kotoshi

this year

raigetsu

next month

rainen

next year