What is Japanese masu form? -learning verb-

When you learn Japanese verbs, you will see -ます with verbs.

ます form is a very basic conjugation type of a verb, but what is masu form?

When and how can we use it?

I will explain what masu form is in this article.

I have been teaching Japanese to beginners for three years, so when you finish reading this article, you will understand what masu form is.

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what is masu form

Masu form is the polite form for verbs.

desu is for nouns and adjectives, and masu is for verbs.

おおきいです

たべます

When you learn Japanese via a textbook, you will learn masu form first because masu form’s conjugation is more simple than plain form.

If you want to learn verb conjugation, please read this article.

Japanese verb conjugation rules with chart

This is masu forms conjugation.

Present or future tense	-ます (ex) たべます、のみます
Negative form	-ません (ex) たべません、のみません
Past tense	-ました (ex) たべました、のみました
Past negative	-ませんでした (ex) たべませんでした、のみませんでした

You will need to memorize some basic vocabulary.

たべます	Eat
のみます	Drink
みます	See, Look, Watch
はたらきます	Work
やすみます	Rest, Take a break
おきます	Wake up
ねます	Go to bed

You can learn more vocabulary with me.

Let’s see some examples.

Conclusion

Masu form is the polite form for verbs.

When you learn Japanese via a textbook, you will learn masu form first because masu form’s conjugation is more simple than plain form.

Practice

Please chage to negative form or past tense.

(ex1) まいにち　7じに　（おきます→おきません）。

(ex2) きのう　11じに　（ねます→ねました）。

１．わたしは　おさけを　（のみます→　）。

２．にちようびは　（はたらきます→　）。

３．せんしゅう　ピクニックへ　（いきます→　）。

４．わたしは　きのう　ラーメンを（たべます→　）。

５．あしたは　べんきょう　（します→　）。

Answer

１．わたしは　おさけを　（のみます→のみません）。

２．にちようびは　（はたらきます→はたらきません）。

３．せんしゅう　ピクニックへ　（いきます→いきました）。

４．わたしは　きのう　ラーメンを（たべます→たべました）。

５．あしたは　べんきょう　（します→しません）。

If you would like to practice conjugation in conversation, please let me know.

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