🗓️ Making a Date — Verb Basics
In this chapter, we transition from simple “is/am/are” sentences to describing actions. We’ll learn how to conjugate verbs and use particles to indicate where, when, and what we are doing.
Verb Types (U, Ru, Irregular)
Japanese verbs are categorized into three groups. Knowing the group allows you to conjugate the verb correctly.
Dictionary Form vs. Masu Form
Verbs in the dictionary always end in a ‘u’ sound (ru, u, ku, su, etc.). This is the informal form.
To speak politely, we change them into the ~masu form.
1. Ru-verbs (Class 1)
These verbs usually end in ~iru or ~eru. Rule: Drop the ru, add masu.
| Dictionary | Meaning | Polite Form |
|---|---|---|
| たべる (taberu) | To eat | たべます |
| ねる (neru) | To sleep | ねます |
| みる (miru) | To see | みます |
| おきる (okiru) | To wake up | おきます |
2. U-verbs (Class 2)
These verbs end in other ‘u’ sounds (ku, su, tsu, nu, mu, bu, u, and some ‘ru’). Rule: Change the final ‘u’ sound to ‘i’, then add masu.
| Dictionary | End char | Polite Form |
|---|---|---|
| のむ (nomu) | mu → mi | のみます |
| いく (iku) | ku → ki | いきます |
| はなす (hanasu) | su → shi | はなします |
| かう (kau) | u → i | かいます |
| あそぶ (asobu) | bu → bi | あそびます |
| かえる (kaeru) | ru → ri | かえります |
Note: Kaeru (to return) looks like a Ru-verb (ends in eru) but it is actually a U-verb.
3. Irregular Verbs (Class 3)
There are only two! Memorize them entirely.
| Dictionary | Meaning | Polite Form |
|---|---|---|
| する (suru) | To do | します (shimasu) |
| くる (kuru) | To come | きます (kimasu) |
Particles for Actions
Grammar particles tell us the role of each word in the sentence.
[Topic] wa [Time] ni [Place] de [Object] o [Verb].
1. を (o) — Direct Object
Did you eat? What did you eat? Use を.
- コーヒー を のみます。 (Drink coffee)
- テレビ を みます。 (Watch TV)
2. で (de) — Place of Action
Where did the action happen?
- うち で べんきょうします。 (Study at home)
- カフェ で のみます。 (Drink at a cafe)
3. に (ni) / へ (e) — Destination (Movement)
Used with movement verbs like Iku (go), Kuru (come), Kaeru (return).
- がっこう に いきます。 (Go to school)
- うち へ かえります。 (Return home) Note: へ is pronounced ‘e’.
4. に (ni) — Specific Time
Used with specific time points.
- １０じ に ねます。 (Sleep at 10:00)
- にちようび に いきます。 (Go on Sunday)
Do NOT use ‘ni’ with relative time terms.
- ❌ Ashita ni ikimasu (Tomorrow)
- ✅ Ashita ikimasu
- ❌ Kyou ni (Today)
- ❌ Mainichi ni (Everyday)
Use ‘ni’ for Clock times, Days of the week, and Months.
Invitations: ~ませんか
To invite someone, use the negative question form “~masen ka”. It literally translates to “Won’t you…?”, which is polite.
-
ひるごはんを たべませんか。 (Won’t you eat lunch? / Would you like to eat lunch?)
- Hirugohan o tabemasen ka.
-
いいですね。 (That sounds good.)
-
ちょっと… (A little bit… [Polite Refusal])
Frequency Adverbs
How often do you do something? Place these before the object or verb.
| Japanese | English | Valid Verb Forms |
|---|---|---|
| まいにち (mainichi) | Every day | Affirmative |
| よく (yoku) | Often | Affirmative |
| ときどき (tokidoki) | Sometimes | Affirmative |
| あまり (amari) | Not much | Negative only |
| ぜんぜん (zenzen) | Not at all | Negative only |
Examples:
- わたしは よく ザッシを よみます。 (I often read magazines.)
- たけしさんは ぜんぜん べんきょうしません。 (Takeshi does not study at all.)
Test Your Knowledge
Chapter Quiz
What is the polite form of 'Taberu' (to eat)?