Japanese ます Form — Polite Verb Conjugation for Beginners
Learn the ます (masu) form for polite Japanese verbs. Covers present, past, negative, and past negative with JLPT N5 verb examples.
The ます (masu) form is the backbone of polite Japanese. Every verb has a ます form used in formal and everyday polite conversation. The conjugation pattern is consistent: ます (present), ません (negative), ました (past), ませんでした (past negative). Start by memorizing common verbs in ます form before learning dictionary form.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| たべます | tabemasu | eat (polite) |
| のみます | nomimasu | drink (polite) |
| いきます | ikimasu | go (polite) |
| みます | mimasu | see / watch (polite) |
| します | shimasu | do (polite) |
| きます | kimasu | come (polite) |
Example Sentences
- まいにち にほんご を べんきょう しますmainichi nihongo wo benkyou shimasuI study Japanese every day
- きのう えいが を みましたkinou eiga wo mimashitaI watched a movie yesterday
- あした いきませんashita ikimasenI won't go tomorrow
- コーヒー を のみますkoohii wo nomimasuI drink coffee
Study Tips
- 1ます = present/future positive (I do / I will do)
- 2ません = present/future negative (I don't / I won't)
- 3ました = past positive (I did)
- 4ませんでした = past negative (I didn't)
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Japanese Adjectives — い and な Adjective Guide for JLPT N5Practice What You Learned
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