N5Chapter 10

Verb Conjugation: ます-form

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the importance of the polite (ます) form in daily life.
  • Conjugate Group 2 (ru-verbs) by dropping る.
  • Conjugate Group 1 (u-verbs) by shifting the vowel to the 'i' row.
  • Master the polite forms of irregular verbs (する and くる).
N5 Context

In Chapter 12, we learned how to classify verbs into three groups. Now, we will learn why that matters! In Japanese, using the “dictionary form” (like taberu) with strangers or teachers can sound too casual or even rude. To speak politely, we use the ます (masu) form. This is the standard polite way to express actions in the present and future. Let’s learn how to conjugate each group!

1. Group 2 (ru-verbs): The Easy Drop

Group 2 verbs (like taberu, miru) are the simplest to conjugate. You just remove the final る and replace it with ます.

Grammar Point
[Root] ＋ ます
MeaningPolite Present Affirmative for Group 2.
Formation:
Drop る + Add ます (Affirmative) / ません (Negative)
Examples (3)
Example

リンゴ を たべます。

Ringo o tabemasu.

I eat an apple.

Example

テレビ を みます。

Terebi o mimasu.

I watch TV.

Example

ななじ に おきます。

Nana-ji ni okimasu.

I wake up at 7:00.
Example

じゅうじ に ねます。

Juu-ji ni nemasu.

I go to sleep at 10:00.

2. Group 1 (u-verbs): The Vowel Shift

Group 1 verbs (like nomu, kaku) require a small change. You take the final character (which ends in an “u” sound) and change it to the corresponding character in the “i” row of the Hiragana chart. Then add ます.

Example: のむ (no-mu) ➔ のみ (no-mi) + ます ➔ のみます (nomimasu).

Grammar Point
[i-row shift] ＋ ます
MeaningPolite Present Affirmative for Group 1.
Formation:
Change final 'u' sound to 'i' sound + Add ます
Examples (3)
Example

みず を のみます。

Mizu o nomimasu.

I drink water.

Example

てがみ を かきます。

Tegami o kakimasu.

I write a letter.

Example

にほんご を はなします。

Nihongo o hanashimasu.

I speak Japanese.
Example

ほん を よみます。

Hon o yomimasu.

I read a book.
Example

うちに かえります。

Uchi ni kaerimasu.

I return home.

3. Group 3 (Irregular): Memorize!

There are only two irregular verbs, so just memorize their polite forms:

  • する (suru) ➔ します (shimasu) [to do]
  • くる (kuru) ➔ きます (kimasu) [to come]
Grammar Point
します ／ きます
MeaningPolite forms of 'do' and 'come'.
Formation:
Memorize: suru -> shimasu, kuru -> kimasu
Examples (3)
Example

べんきょう を します。

Benkyou o shimasu.

I study.

Example

がっこう に きます。

Gakkou ni kimasu.

I come to school.

Example

テニス を します。

Tenisu o shimasu.

I play tennis.

4. The Negative: 〜ません (masen)

To say you don’t do something, the rules for the root word stay exactly the same, but you use ません instead of ます.

Vocabulary4 terms

  • たべません

    Negative

    tabemasen

    Do not eat

  • のみません

    Negative

    nomimasen

    Do not drink

  • しません

    Negative

    shimasen

    Do not do

  • きません

    Negative

    kimasen

    Do not come

5. Cultural Note: Desu/Masu vs. Plain Form

In Japan, the level of politeness you use depends on your relationship with the listener.

  • Polite (Desu/Masu): Used with people you don’t know well, teachers, bosses, and older people. It is the “safety” level—using it ensures you are never seen as rude.
  • Plain (Dictionary): Used with close friends, family, and younger people.
  • The Transition: Even if you become friends with someone, many Japanese people continue to use polite forms until an explicit or implicit agreement to use casual speech (tame-guchi) is reached. When in doubt, stick to ます!

Conversation Practice

Daily Routine
Alice

たなかさん、 毎日 何時 に おきます か。

Tanaka-san, mainichi nan-ji ni okimasu ka.

Mr. Tanaka, what time do you wake up every day?

Tanaka

わたし は 毎日 しちじ に おきます。

Watashi wa mainichi shichi-ji ni okimasu.

I wake up at 7:00 every day.

Alice

朝ごはん を たべます か。

Asagohan o tabemasu ka.

Do you eat breakfast?

Tanaka

はい、 たべます。 パン を たべます。 アリスさん は？

Hai, tabemasu. Pan o tabemasu. Arisu-san wa?

Yes, I do. I eat bread. How about you, Alice?

Alice

わたし は たべません。 コーヒー を のみます。

Watashi wa tabemasen. Kouhii o nomimasu.

I don't eat. I drink coffee.
Weekend Plans
Ken

明日、 どこ へ いきます か。

Ashita, doko e ikimasu ka.

Where will you go tomorrow?

Yumi

としょかん へ いきます。 ほん を よみます。

Toshokan e ikimasu. Hon o yomimasu.

I'll go to the library. I'll read books.

Ken

テニス を します か。

Tenisu o shimasu ka.

Will you play tennis?

Yumi

いいえ、 しません。

Iie, shimasen.

No, I won't.

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 1ます (masu) is the polite present/future form of a verb.
  • 2Group 2: Drop る and add ます (e.g., taberu -> tabemasu).
  • 3Group 1: Shift the final 'u' sound to 'i' and add ます (e.g., nomu -> nomimasu).
  • 4Irregular: する -> します, くる -> きます.
  • 5The negative form for all groups is 〜ません (masen).
  • 6Use polite speech (Desu/Masu) with strangers and superiors.

Knowledge Check

Test your conjugation skills!

Practice Quiz
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Quiz

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Which of the following is the polite form of 'たべる' (taberu)?