{"id":1756,"date":"2009-11-03T05:41:50","date_gmt":"2009-11-03T07:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/?p=1756"},"modified":"2026-08-15T13:40:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T16:40:26","slug":"masu-form-of-japanese-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comoaprenderjapones.net\/en\/forma-masu-dos-verbos-em-japones\/","title":{"rendered":"Masu form in Japanese: \u307e\u3059, \u307e\u305b\u3093, \u307e\u3057\u305f and \u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE masu shape<\/strong> is the most important polite standard for starting to conjugate verbs in Japanese. It organizes four basic combinations: \u307e\u3059<\/strong> in the non-past affirmative, \u307e\u305b\u3093<\/strong> in the non-past negative, \u307e\u3057\u305f<\/strong> in the past affirmative, and \u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/strong> in the negative past.<\/p>\n\n

These endings appear frequently in classes, customer service, work, and conversations with people you don't know well yet. \u201cNon-past\u201d is the most precise term because the same form can indicate habitual present or future, depending on the context.<\/p>\n\n

What is the masu form?<\/h2>\n\n

The masu form is the polite form of verbs. It allows you to affirm or negate an action in the non-past and past without having to reconstruct the verb in each sentence. The Marugoto's chart of polite and simple forms<\/a>, from the Japan Foundation, organizes exactly these four combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Tense and polarity<\/th>Ending<\/th>Example with \u98df\u3079\u308b<\/th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Non-past affirmative<\/td>\u307e\u3059<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3059<\/td>eat \/ will eat<\/td><\/tr>\n
Non-past negative<\/td>\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/td>don't eat \/ won't eat<\/td><\/tr>\n
Affirmative past<\/td>\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/td>ate<\/td><\/tr>\n
negative past<\/td>\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/td>didn't eat<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The ending expresses politeness, tense, and affirmation or negation. The lexical meaning remains in the verb: \u98df\u3079 means \u201cto eat,\u201d while the final part informs how that action is presented.<\/p>\n\n

When to use the polite style in Japanese<\/h2>\n\n

Japanese alternates between polite and plain styles depending on the relationship between people and the situation. The Irodori explanation about speech styles<\/a> shows the use of \u3067\u3059 and \u307e\u3059 with people you're not close to, on first encounters, or when speaking to someone hierarchically superior.<\/p>\n\n

This doesn't mean the masu form is limited to ceremonies or very formal settings. For a beginner, it works as a polite and safe register in many everyday interactions. In a conversation between close friends, the plain form of verbs<\/a> may sound more natural; in customer service or a conversation with strangers, the polite form is usually the appropriate choice.<\/p>\n\n

It's also important to separate politeness from honorific language. Ending a verb with \u307e\u3059 makes the sentence polite, but it doesn't automatically turn the vocabulary into keigo<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n

How to form \u307e\u3059 in each verb group<\/h2>\n\n

Before conjugating, identify whether the verb is godan, ichidan, or irregular. If this classification still causes doubt, review the Verb groups in Japanese<\/a>. The ending in \u308b, by itself, is not enough to decide the group.<\/p>\n\n

Godan verbs: move from the U line to the I line<\/h3>\n\n

In godan verbs, replace the last kana with the corresponding form from the I line and add \u307e\u3059. This procedure produces the base used by all polite endings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Ending<\/th>Change<\/th>Verb<\/th>\u307e\u3059 form<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u3046<\/td>\u3046 \u2192 \u3044<\/td>\u8cb7\u3046 (kau)<\/td>\u8cb7\u3044\u307e\u3059 (kaimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u304f<\/td>\u304f \u2192 \u304d<\/td>\u66f8\u304f (kaku)<\/td>\u66f8\u304d\u307e\u3059 (kakimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u3050<\/td>\u3050 \u2192 \u304e<\/td>\u6cf3\u3050 (oyogu)<\/td>\u6cf3\u304e\u307e\u3059 (oyogimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u3059<\/td>\u3059 \u2192 \u3057<\/td>\u8a71\u3059 (hanasu)<\/td>\u8a71\u3057\u307e\u3059 (hanashimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u3064<\/td>\u3064 \u2192 \u3061<\/td>\u5f85\u3064 (matsu)<\/td>\u5f85\u3061\u307e\u3059 (machimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u306c<\/td>\u306c \u2192 \u306b<\/td>\u6b7b\u306c (shinu)<\/td>I will die (shinimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u3076<\/td>bu \u2192 bi<\/td>to play (asobu)<\/td>I will play (asobimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u3080<\/td>mu \u2192 mi<\/td>to drink (nomu)<\/td>I will drink (nomimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u308b<\/td>ru \u2192 ri<\/td>to return (kaeru)<\/td>I will return (kaerimasu)<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Ichidan verbs: remove \u308b<\/h3>\n\n

For ichidan verbs, remove the final \u308b and add \u307e\u3059: \u98df\u3079\u308b \u2192 \u98df\u3079\u307e\u3059, \u898b\u308b \u2192 \u898b\u307e\u3059, and \u8d77\u304d\u308b \u2192 \u8d77\u304d\u307e\u3059. Do not apply this rule automatically to every verb ending in -iru<\/em> or -eru<\/em>: \u5e30\u308b, \u5165\u308b, and \u8d70\u308b, for example, are godan.<\/p>\n\n

Irregular verbs<\/h3>\n\n

The two central patterns of the irregular group are stable: \u3059\u308b becomes \u3057\u307e\u3059, and \u6765\u308b (\u304f\u308b, kuru<\/em>) becomes \u6765\u307e\u3059 (\u304d\u307e\u3059, kimasu<\/em>). In compound verbs with \u3059\u308b, the same transformation is maintained: \u52c9\u5f37\u3059\u308b \u2192 \u52c9\u5f37\u3057\u307e\u3059.<\/p>\n\n

O Marugoto's verb conjugation appendix<\/a> allows you to compare the \u307e\u3059 form, the stem without \u307e\u3059, and the dictionary, \u3066, \u305f, and \u306a\u3044 forms across the three groups.<\/p>\n\n

How to form \u307e\u305b\u3093, \u307e\u3057\u305f, and \u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/h2>\n\n

After finding the stem, choose the ending that combines tense and polarity. There is no need to memorize a different rule for each group: the difference between the groups lies in forming the stem; the four polite endings are regular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Verb<\/th>\u307e\u3059<\/th>\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/th>\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/th>\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u66f8\u304f<\/td>\u66f8\u304d\u307e\u3059<\/td>\u66f8\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/td>\u66f8\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/td>\u66f8\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u98df\u3079\u308b<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3059<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/td>\u98df\u3079\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u3059\u308b<\/td>\u3057\u307e\u3059<\/td>\u3057\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/td>\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/td>\u3057\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/td><\/tr>\n
\u6765\u308b<\/td>\u6765\u307e\u3059<\/td>\u6765\u307e\u305b\u3093<\/td>\u6765\u307e\u3057\u305f<\/td>\u6765\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3067\u3057\u305f<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The stem without \u307e\u3059 also participates in other structures. The Irodori shows the \u307e\u3059 stem before \u65b9<\/a>, as in \u66f8\u304d\u65b9, \u201cway of writing\u201d. This helps you realize that \u66f8\u304d is a useful stem, not an independent complete word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-past can indicate present or future<\/h2>\n\n

\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3059 does not correspond only to \u201cI eat.\u201d Depending on a time expression or the situation, it can also mean \u201cI will eat.\u201d Japanese does not create a separate future ending in this paradigm.<\/p>\n\n

I drink coffee every morning.<\/strong>
Every morning, I drink coffee.
Maiasa, I'll have a k\u014dh\u012b.<\/em>
I drink coffee every morning.<\/p>\n\n

Tomorrow, I will go to the library.<\/strong>
Ashita, toshokan e ikimasu.
Tomorrow, I will go to the library.<\/em>
Tomorrow, I will go to the library.<\/p>\n\n

Today, I will not eat meat.<\/strong>
Ky\u014d wa niku o tabemasen.
Today, I will not eat meat.<\/em>
Today, I will not eat meat.<\/p>\n\n

The expressions \u6bce\u671d, \u660e\u65e5, and \u4eca\u65e5 guide the interpretation. Without context, the non-past form remains compatible with habits and general facts as well as future actions.<\/p>\n\n

How to use the masu form in sentences<\/h2>\n\n

In an independent clause, the verb usually appears at the end. Particles continue to mark the relationships between elements; the guide on how to form sentences in japanese<\/a> deepens that organization.<\/p>\n\n

Yesterday, I studied Japanese.<\/strong>
Kin\u014d, nihongo o benky\u014d shimashita.
Yesterday, I studied Japanese.<\/em>
Yesterday, I studied Japanese.<\/p>\n\n

Last Sunday, I did not work.<\/strong>
Sensh\u016b no nichiy\u014dbi wa hatarakimasen deshita.
Last Sunday, I did not work.<\/em>
Last Sunday, I did not work.<\/p>\n\n

Mini dialogue<\/h3>\n\n

A: Do you study Japanese every day?<\/strong>
Do you study Japanese every day?
Mainichi, nihongo o benky\u014d shimasu ka?<\/em>
Do you study Japanese every day?<\/p>\n\n

B: Yes, I study. But yesterday I didn't study.<\/strong>
Yes, I study. But yesterday I didn't study.
Hai, benky\u014d shimasu. Demo, kin\u014d wa benky\u014d shimasen deshita.<\/em>
Yes, I study. But yesterday I didn't study.<\/p>\n\n

The masu form and the plain form do not always occupy the same position<\/h2>\n\n

The masu form is appropriate for ending the predicate of a clause in polite style. Before a noun, however, the plain form is used: \u65e5\u672c\u3067\u50cd\u304f\u4eba\u3067\u3059 means \u201ca person who works in Japan\u201d. The sequence \u50cd\u304d\u307e\u3059\u4eba<\/strong> does not work in that position.<\/p>\n\n

Therefore, a polite sentence can contain a plain form within it and end in \u3067\u3059 or \u307e\u3059. This difference avoids the mistaken idea that all verb forms in a sentence need to receive \u307e\u3059.<\/p>\n\n

Common mistakes when conjugating the masu form<\/h2>\n\n