Katsuyō Academy

	A	I	U	E	O
vowels	a あア	i いイ	u うウ	e えエ	o おオ
K	ka かカ	ki きキ	ku くク	ke けケ	ko こコ
S	sa さサ	shi しシ	su すス	se せセ	so そソ
T	ta たタ	chi ちチ	tsu つツ	te てテ	to とト
N	na なナ	ni にニ	nu ぬヌ	ne ねネ	no のノ
H	ha はハ	hi ひヒ	fu ふフ	he へヘ	ho ほホ
M	ma まマ	mi みミ	mu むム	me めメ	mo もモ
Y	ya やヤ		yu ゆユ		yo よヨ
R	ra らラ	ri りリ	ru るル	re れレ	ro ろロ
W	wa わワ				wo をヲ
N	n んン

Row	k-	s-	t-	m-	r-	w-
あ (A)	か	さ	た	ま	ら	わ
い (I)	き	し	ち	み	り	い
う (U)	く	す	つ	む	る	う
え (E)	け	せ	て	め	れ	え
お (O)	こ	そ	と	も	ろ	お

Form	Process	Result
Negative	たべ + ない	食べない
Polite	たべ + ます	食べます
Past	たべ + た	食べた
Want to	たべ + たい	食べたい
Potential	たべ + られる	食べられる
Volitional	たべ + よう	食べよう

Form	する becomes...	Result
Negative	しない	勉強しない
Polite	します	勉強します
Past	した	勉強した
Want to	したい	勉強したい
Potential	できる	勉強できる
Volitional	しよう	勉強しよう

ます形 — The Polite Form

The ます form is the cornerstone of polite Japanese speech. It's the default conjugation you'll use in most everyday situations—from casual conversations with acquaintances to formal business interactions. Understanding when and how to use ます correctly is essential for sounding respectful and natural in Japanese.

When to Use ます

Use the ます form when speaking politely to:
• People you don't know well or have just met
• Anyone older than you or in a higher social position
• In professional, academic, or business settings
• When you want to show respect or maintain social distance
• In customer service situations (restaurants, stores, etc.)

Rule of thumb: When in doubt, use ます. It's safer to be too polite than not polite enough in Japanese culture.

Understanding the ます Form

The ます form is technically called the polite present/future form. Despite its name, it doesn't just indicate present tense—it can express:

Habitual actions: 毎日勉強します (I study every day)
Future actions: 明日行きます (I will go tomorrow)
General truths: 太陽は東から昇ります (The sun rises from the east)
Scheduled events: 会議は3時に始まります (The meeting starts at 3:00)

Key Point: Japanese doesn't distinguish between present and future tense the way English does. Context determines whether ます refers to now or later.

How to Form ます — Step by Step

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	ます Form	Explanation
Godan	Change final う-row sound to い-row + ます	話す (hanasu)	話します (hanashimasu)	す → し + ます
		飲む (nomu)	飲みます (nomimasu)	む → み + ます
		買う (kau)	買います (kaimasu)	う → い + ます
Ichidan	Drop る + ます	食べる (taberu)	食べます (tabemasu)	Remove る, add ます
Ichidan	Drop る + ます	見る (miru)	見ます (mimasu)	Remove る, add ます
Suru	する → します	する (suru)	します (shimasu)	Irregular conjugation
Suru	する → します	勉強する (benkyousuru)	勉強します (benkyoushimasu)	する part becomes します

Understanding Godan Conjugation:

Godan verbs shift from the う-row to the い-row of the same consonant column. Think of it as moving up one row in the hiragana chart:

く → き
書く → 書きます

ぐ → ぎ
泳ぐ → 泳ぎます

す → し
話す → 話します

つ → ち
待つ → 待ちます

ぬ → に
死ぬ → 死にます

ぶ → び
遊ぶ → 遊びます

む → み
読む → 読みます

る → り
帰る → 帰ります

う → い
買う → 買います

Essential ます Variations

The ます form has four main variations that express different tenses and polarities. All maintain the same level of politeness:

Form	Pattern	Example: 話す	Meaning	Usage
Present/Future	Stem + ます	話します	speak(s), will speak	Habitual actions, future plans
Negative	Stem + ません	話しません	don't/doesn't speak	Polite negation
Past	Stem + ました	話しました	spoke, did speak	Completed actions
Negative Past	Stem + ませんでした	話しませんでした	didn't speak	Negated past actions

📝 Important Note: The ます-Stem

The part of the verb before ます is called the ます-stem or 連用形 (ren'youkei). This stem is incredibly important because it's used to create many other forms:

From the stem 話し (hanashi):
• 話します (polite form)
• 話したい (want to speak) — stem + たい
• 話しながら (while speaking) — stem + ながら
• 話し方 (way of speaking) — stem + 方
• 話しすぎる (speak too much) — stem + すぎる

Common Patterns with ます

1. ますか？— Polite Questions

日本語を話しますか？
Nihongo wo hanashimasu ka?
Do you speak Japanese?

Simply add か to make any ます statement into a polite question.

2. ましょう — "Let's" Invitation

一緒に行きましょう。
Issho ni ikimashou.
Let's go together.

Replace ます with ましょう to suggest doing something together politely.

3. ませんか？— Polite Invitation

一緒に食べませんか？
Issho ni tabemasen ka?
Won't you eat together (with me)? / Would you like to eat together?

Negative question form creates a soft, polite invitation (similar to "wouldn't you like to...").

4. ましょうか？— Offering to Do Something

窓を開けましょうか？
Mado wo akemashou ka?
Shall I open the window?

Use ましょうか to politely offer to do something for someone.

Practical Examples in Context

Daily Routine

毎朝6時に起きて、朝ごはんを食べます。
Maiasa rokuji ni okite, asagohan wo tabemasu.
I wake up at 6:00 every morning and eat breakfast.

Making Plans

明日、友達と映画を見ます。
Ashita, tomodachi to eiga wo mimasu.
Tomorrow, I will watch a movie with friends.

Talking About the Past

先週京都に行きました。とてもきれいでした。
Senshuu Kyoto ni ikimashita. Totemo kirei deshita.
Last week I went to Kyoto. It was very beautiful.

Expressing Habits

私は毎日日本語を勉強しますが、漢字は勉強しません。
Watashi wa mainichi nihongo wo benkyou shimasu ga, kanji wa benkyou shimasen.
I study Japanese every day, but I don't study kanji.

💡 Learning Tips for ます Form

1. Master the stem first: Once you know how to form the ます-stem, you can create many other conjugations.

2. Practice all four variations: ます, ません, ました, ませんでした should become automatic.

3. Think in patterns: Godan verbs always shift vowels (u→i), ichidan verbs always drop る, suru is always irregular.

4. Start polite, relax later: It's easier to learn formal speech first and then simplify to casual than the reverse.

5. Listen for ます endings: Pay attention in Japanese media—you'll hear ます constantly in polite contexts.

て形 — The Connecting Form

The て form is arguably the most versatile and essential verb form in Japanese. It functions as the connective tissue of the language, allowing you to link actions, make requests, describe ongoing states, give permissions, and express countless other nuances. Mastering the て form opens up a vast range of expressive possibilities.

Why is て Form So Important?

Unlike other conjugations that express tense or politeness, the て form is fundamentally about connection and continuation. It's the bridge that allows verbs to work together in complex sentences. Think of it as Japanese's most powerful grammatical "connector piece."

The て form cannot stand alone. It must be followed by something else—another verb, an auxiliary, or a grammatical structure. This is what makes it a connecting form rather than a complete conjugation.

Essential Uses of て Form

1. Linking sequential actions: 起きて、顔を洗って、朝ごはんを食べます
(Wake up, wash my face, and eat breakfast)

2. Making polite requests: ちょっと待ってください
(Please wait a moment)

3. Describing ongoing actions: 今、勉強しています
(I'm studying now)

4. Asking permission: 写真を撮ってもいいですか
(May I take a photo?)

5. Giving reasons: 雨が降って、試合が中止になった
(Because it rained, the game was cancelled)

Formation Rules — Understanding the Pattern

The Logic Behind て Form Sound Changes:

The て form conjugation, especially for godan verbs, follows euphonic rules—sound changes that make pronunciation smoother and more natural. These aren't arbitrary; they reflect how sounds naturally flow together in Japanese. The patterns are based on making the verb + て/で combination easier to pronounce.

Verb Type	Dictionary Ending	て Form Ending	Example	Why This Change?
Godan	く	いて	書く → 書いて (kaite)	く drops, い inserted as glide
	ぐ	いで	泳ぐ → 泳いで (oyoide)	Voiced version: で instead of て
	す	して	話す → 話して (hanashite)	す naturally becomes し before て
	つ / る / う	って	待つ → 待って (matte) 売る → 売って (utte) 買う → 買って (katte)	Final sound doubles the っ
	む / ぶ / ぬ	んで	飲む → 飲んで (nonde) 遊ぶ → 遊んで (asonde) 死ぬ → 死んで (shinde)	ん sound bridges to で
Ichidan	る	て	食べる → 食べて (tabete) 見る → 見て (mite)	Simple: drop る, add て
Suru	する	して	勉強する → 勉強して (benkyou shite)	Irregular: する → して

⚠️ The Big Exception: 行く (iku - to go)

行く is the only く-ending verb that becomes 行って instead of the expected 行いて.

Why? This exception exists for historical phonetic reasons. The って form is easier to pronounce and has become standard over time. This is the ONLY exception to the く → いて rule, so it's worth memorizing specifically.

Major Patterns Using て Form

1. Sequential Actions (て + て + ます)

Use て form to list actions in chronological order. The last verb is conjugated for tense; all earlier verbs stay in て form.

朝起きて、シャワーを浴びて、朝ごはんを食べます。
Asa okite, shawaa wo abite, asagohan wo tabemasu.
In the morning, I wake up, take a shower, and eat breakfast.

Structure: Verb₁て + Verb₂て + Verb₃[tense]
All actions inherit the tense of the final verb.

2. Making Requests (〜てください)

て form + ください creates polite requests and instructions. This is one of the most common patterns you'll use.

ちょっと待ってください。
Chotto matte kudasai.
Please wait a moment.

もう一度言ってください。
Mou ichido itte kudasai.
Please say it one more time.

ゆっくり話してください。
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
Please speak slowly.

3. Progressive/Continuous Actions (〜ています)

て form + いる/います expresses ongoing actions or resulting states. This is equivalent to "-ing" in English.

Two meanings depending on verb type:

Action in progress: 今、食べています。 (I'm eating now.)
Resulting state: メガネをかけています。 (I'm wearing glasses. / I wear glasses.)

今、勉強しています。
Ima, benkyou shite imasu.
I'm studying now. [action in progress]

東京に住んでいます。
Tokyo ni sunde imasu.
I live in Tokyo. [resulting state]

日本語を勉強しています。
Nihongo wo benkyou shite imasu.
I'm studying Japanese. [habitual/ongoing]

4. Permission & Prohibition

Use て form with permission/prohibition patterns to ask for or grant permission.

〜てもいい (Permission)

ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか？
Koko de shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?
May I take photos here?

〜てはいけない (Prohibition)

ここに入ってはいけません。
Koko ni haitte wa ikemasen.
You must not enter here.

5. Trying Something (〜てみる)

て form + みる means "to try doing" something to see what it's like.

この料理を食べてみてください。
Kono ryouri wo tabete mite kudasai.
Please try eating this dish (to see how it tastes).

6. Giving/Receiving Favors (〜てあげる / 〜てくれる / 〜てもらう)

Combine て form with giving/receiving verbs to express who benefits from an action.

〜てあげる: I do for them
友達に本を貸してあげました。
I lent a book to my friend (as a favor).

〜てくれる: They do for me
友達が手伝ってくれました。
My friend helped me (as a favor).

〜てもらう: I receive their doing
先生に説明してもらいました。
I had the teacher explain it to me.

Common て Form Patterns Chart

Pattern	Meaning	Example
〜てください	Please do...	待ってください (Please wait)
〜ています	Is doing / Does habitually	勉強しています (Am studying)
〜てもいい	May do / It's okay to do	行ってもいい (May go)
〜てはいけない	Must not do	入ってはいけない (Must not enter)
〜てみる	Try doing	食べてみる (Try eating)
〜てから	After doing	食べてから (After eating)
〜てしまう	End up doing / Completely do	食べてしまった (Ate it all up)
〜ておく	Do in advance / Leave as is	買っておく (Buy in advance)

💡 Learning Tips for て Form

1. Memorize the sound groups: Group godan verbs by their て form pattern (く/ぐ, す, つ/る/う, む/ぶ/ぬ).

2. Practice with common verbs first: Master て form for everyday verbs like 行く, 食べる, する, 来る.

3. Learn patterns as chunks: Memorize 〜てください, 〜ています as complete phrases, not individual parts.

4. Connect to た form: て and た forms follow identical patterns—just swap て/で for た/だ.

5. Listen for て in natural speech: Native speakers use て form constantly. Train your ear to recognize it in context.

辞書形 — The Dictionary Form

The dictionary form—also called the plain form, casual form, or simply う-form—is the foundational, unconjugated form of Japanese verbs. It's how verbs appear in dictionaries, how they're listed in textbooks, and how friends speak to each other. Understanding the dictionary form is essential because it's the starting point for all other conjugations and the basis of casual Japanese conversation.

Why is it Called "Dictionary Form"?

This is the form you'll find when looking up a verb in a dictionary. It's the verb's "default" state—no politeness markers, no tense indicators, just the pure verb. Think of it as the verb's name or identity.

Three names, one form:
• Dictionary form (how it appears in dictionaries)
• Plain form (casual, without polite markers)
• う-form (godan verbs end in う-row sounds)

Key Characteristics

Godan verbs end in: く、ぐ、す、つ、ぬ、ぶ、む、る、う (the う-row)
Examples: 書く、泳ぐ、話す、待つ、死ぬ、遊ぶ、読む、帰る、買う

Ichidan verbs end in: -eru (える) or -iru (いる) sounds
Examples: 食べる、見る、起きる、寝る

Suru verbs end in: する
Examples: する、勉強する、料理する、散歩する

When to Use Dictionary Form

The dictionary form has two primary functions: as a grammatical component in certain structures, and as casual speech among friends and family.

Grammatical Uses

Before particles/conjunctions:
食べる前に (before eating)
行くつもり (intend to go)
With と思う:
行くと思う (I think I'll go)
Modifying nouns:
食べる人 (person who eats)
In conditionals:
行くなら (if you go)

Casual Speech

Talking with close friends
Family conversations
Inner monologue in writing
Casual diary entries
Manga and anime dialogue
Informal text messages

Caution: Don't use with people you should be polite to—teachers, bosses, strangers, elders, customers.

Dictionary Form by Verb Type

Type	Ending Pattern	Verb (Kanji)	Hiragana	Romaji	Meaning
Godan	〜く	書く	かく	kaku	to write
	〜ぐ	泳ぐ	およぐ	oyogu	to swim
	〜す	話す	はなす	hanasu	to speak
	〜つ	待つ	まつ	matsu	to wait
	〜ぬ	死ぬ	しぬ	shinu	to die
	〜ぶ	遊ぶ	あそぶ	asobu	to play
	〜む	飲む	のむ	nomu	to drink
	〜る	帰る	かえる	kaeru	to return
	〜う	買う	かう	kau	to buy
Ichidan	〜える	食べる	たべる	taberu	to eat
	〜える	起きる	おきる	okiru	to wake up
	〜いる	見る	みる	miru	to see
	〜いる	寝る	ねる	neru	to sleep
Suru	〜する	する	する	suru	to do
	〜する	勉強する	べんきょうする	benkyou suru	to study
	〜する	料理する	りょうりする	ryouri suru	to cook

Common Grammatical Patterns Using Dictionary Form

1. 〜と思う (I think that...)

Express opinions or assumptions about what will happen.

明日雨が降ると思います。
Ashita ame ga furu to omoimasu.
I think it will rain tomorrow.

彼は来ないと思う。
Kare wa konai to omou.
I think he won't come.

2. 〜前に (before doing...)

Indicates an action happens before another action.

寝る前に、歯を磨きます。
Neru mae ni, ha wo migakimasu.
Before sleeping, I brush my teeth.

3. 〜つもり (plan/intend to...)

Express plans or intentions.

来年日本に行くつもりです。
Rainen Nihon ni iku tsumori desu.
I plan to go to Japan next year.

4. Modifying Nouns (Relative Clauses)

Use dictionary form to describe or specify which noun you're talking about.

日本語を話す人
Nihongo wo hanasu hito
A person who speaks Japanese

昨日食べた料理
Kinou tabeta ryouri
The dish (I) ate yesterday

5. 〜ことができる (can do / be able to)

Express ability or possibility.

日本語を話すことができます。
Nihongo wo hanasu koto ga dekimasu.
I can speak Japanese.

Dictionary Form in Casual Conversation

In casual speech among friends and family, the dictionary form replaces ます. This creates a relaxed, friendly tone. Note that questions often use rising intonation instead of か.

Polite (ます form)

明日学校に行きますか？
Will you go to school tomorrow?

はい、行きます。
Yes, I will go.

何を食べましたか？
What did you eat?

Casual (Dictionary form)

明日学校に行く？
You going to school tomorrow?

うん、行く。
Yeah, I'm going.

何食べた？
What'd you eat?

⚠️ Important: Dictionary Form ≠ Present Tense Only

Despite being called "present tense" in some textbooks, the dictionary form can express:

Present habitual: 毎日走る (I run every day)
Future: 明日行く (I'll go tomorrow)
General truths: 太陽が昇る (The sun rises)

Context determines the time reference, not the verb form itself!

💡 Learning Tips for Dictionary Form

1. Start here: Learn the dictionary form first—it's the foundation for all other conjugations.

2. Memorize verb types with the dictionary form: When learning a new verb, note if it's godan, ichidan, or suru.

3. Practice casual conversation: Watch anime or J-dramas to hear dictionary form in natural contexts.

4. Master grammatical patterns: Focus on common structures like と思う, 前に, つもり, ことができる.

5. Know your audience: Use dictionary form only with close friends/family. When in doubt, use ます form.

た形 — The Past Form

The た form expresses completed actions and events that have already occurred. As the casual/plain past tense, it's used among friends and family, in narrative writing, and as a grammatical building block for more complex expressions. Understanding た form is essential because it shares its conjugation pattern with the て form, making it a "two-for-one" learning opportunity.

The た Form: More Than Just Past Tense

While primarily used for past tense, the た form has several important functions in Japanese grammar:

Completed actions: 昨日ラーメンを食べた (I ate ramen yesterday)
Past experience: 日本に行ったことがある (I've been to Japan before)
Discovery/realization: あ、雨が降った！ (Oh, it rained!)
Sequential past actions: 起きた後で、シャワーを浴びた (After waking up, I took a shower)

Important Connection: The た form and て form follow identical conjugation patterns. Master one, and you've mastered both! Just replace て/で with た/だ.

The Big Secret: た = て with Different Endings

If you already know て form, you already know た form!

て form: 書いて、泳いで、話して、待って、飲んで
た form: 書いた、泳いだ、話した、待った、飲んだ

The pattern is identical—just swap て→た and で→だ.

Formation Rules — Parallel to て Form

Understanding the Sound Changes:

Like て form, た form follows euphonic (pleasant-sounding) patterns. The changes aren't random—they reflect how sounds naturally combine in Japanese to create smooth, pronounceable words. The た/だ distinction follows voicing: unvoiced consonants take た, voiced consonants take だ.

Verb Type	Dictionary Ending	た Form Ending	て Form (Compare)	Example
Godan	く	いた	いて	書く → 書いた (kaita)
	ぐ	いだ	いで	泳ぐ → 泳いだ (oyoida)
	す	した	して	話す → 話した (hanashita)
	つ / る / う	った	って	待つ → 待った (matta) 売る → 売った (utta) 買う → 買った (katta)
	む / ぶ / ぬ	んだ	んで	飲む → 飲んだ (nonda) 遊ぶ → 遊んだ (asonda) 死ぬ → 死んだ (shinda)
Ichidan	る	た	て	食べる → 食べた (tabeta) 見る → 見た (mita)
Suru	する	した	して	勉強する → 勉強した (benkyou shita)

⚠️ Don't Forget: 行く (iku)

行く is the only く-ending verb that becomes 行った (not 行いた).

This is the same exception as in て form (行って). Memorize this single exception and you're good to go!

Polite vs. Casual Past Forms

Japanese has both casual and polite past forms. The た form is casual; for polite speech, use ました.

Casual (た Form)

食べた
tabeta
ate

飲んだ
nonda
drank

勉強した
benkyou shita
studied

Polite (ました Form)

食べました
tabemashita
ate [polite]

飲みました
nomimashita
drank [polite]

勉強しました
benkyou shimashita
studied [polite]

When to use which:
• た form: Friends, family, casual writing, inner thoughts
• ました form: Polite conversation, formal situations, with strangers/superiors

Essential Patterns Using た Form

1. Simple Past Narrative

Use た form to tell stories or describe what happened in casual speech.

昨日友達と映画を見た。とても面白かった。
Kinou tomodachi to eiga wo mita. Totemo omoshirokatta.
Yesterday I watched a movie with friends. It was very interesting.

2. 〜たことがある (Have experienced...)

Express past experience—something you've done at least once before.

日本に行ったことがあります。
Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu.
I have been to Japan (before).

納豆を食べたことがありますか？
Nattou wo tabeta koto ga arimasu ka?
Have you ever eaten natto?

3. 〜た後で (After doing...)

Indicate that one action happened after another was completed.

宿題をした後で、ゲームをした。
Shukudai wo shita ato de, geemu wo shita.
After doing homework, I played games.

4. 〜たばかり (Just did...)

Express that something just happened very recently.

今帰ったばかりです。
Ima kaetta bakari desu.
I just got home now.

5. 〜たり〜たりする (Do things like... and...)

List example activities from a larger set of similar actions.

週末は本を読んだり、音楽を聞いたりします。
Shuumatsu wa hon wo yondari, ongaku wo kiitari shimasu.
On weekends, I do things like read books and listen to music.

6. 〜たら (If/When... happened)

Create conditional sentences expressing "if" or "when" something happens.

春になったら、桜が咲きます。
Haru ni nattara, sakura ga sakimasu.
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms will bloom.

日本に行ったら、京都を訪れたいです。
Nihon ni ittara, Kyoto wo otozuretai desu.
If I go to Japan, I want to visit Kyoto.

た Form Pattern Summary

Pattern	Meaning	Example
〜た	Simple past (casual)	食べた (ate)
〜たことがある	Have experienced	見たことがある (have seen before)
〜た後で	After doing	食べた後で (after eating)
〜たばかり	Just did	来たばかり (just came)
〜たり〜たりする	Do things like... and...	遊んだり勉強したりする (play and study, etc.)
〜たら	If/When (conditional)	雨が降ったら (if/when it rains)
〜たほうがいい	Should do / had better do	休んだほうがいい (you should rest)

Real-Life Examples in Context

Casual Conversation

昨日何した？
Kinou nani shita?
What did you do yesterday? [casual]

Polite Past

先週京都に行きました。とても楽しかったです。
Senshuu Kyoto ni ikimashita. Totemo tanoshikatta desu.
Last week I went to Kyoto. It was very fun. [polite]

Storytelling

朝起きて、朝ごはんを食べて、学校に行った。
Asa okite, asagohan wo tabete, gakkou ni itta.
In the morning I woke up, ate breakfast, and went to school. [casual narrative]

Past Experience

富士山に登ったことがありますか？
Fujisan ni nobotta koto ga arimasu ka?
Have you ever climbed Mt. Fuji?

💡 Learning Tips for た Form

1. Master て form first: Once you know て form, た form is automatic—just swap the endings.

2. Practice the patterns: Focus on common structures like 〜たことがある, 〜た後で, 〜たら.

3. Read Japanese stories: Novels and manga use た form constantly for narration—great practice!

4. Know when to be polite: Use た with friends/family, ました in professional or polite contexts.

5. Connect to present: Remember that た form + いる can express resulting states (e.g., 結婚している = is married).

ない形 — The Negative Form

The negative form (ない形) is one of the foundational conjugations in Japanese, expressing that an action does not happen, will not happen, or is not the case. Unlike English, which relies on helper words like "don't," "doesn't," or "won't," Japanese transforms the verb itself to create negation. Mastering the negative form is essential because it serves as the building block for numerous other grammar patterns and appears in virtually every conversation.

When to Use the Negative Form

Use the ない form when:
• Speaking casually with friends, family, or close acquaintances
• Writing informal messages, diary entries, or personal notes
• Expressing habitual non-actions or general negations
• Stating preferences or dislikes (e.g., 好きじゃない = don't like)
• Before certain grammar patterns (〜ないで、〜なければならない、〜なくてもいい)
• In reported speech or indirect statements

Politeness Note: For formal or polite situations, use ません instead of ない. The ない form is the casual equivalent and should be reserved for informal contexts.

Understanding Japanese Negation

The negative form in Japanese works differently from English negation. Rather than adding separate negative words, Japanese modifies the verb ending itself. This creates a unified negative form that can then conjugate further—because ない behaves grammatically like an い-adjective.

Key Insight: Once you form the ない negative, you can treat it like an い-adjective:
• ない → なかった (past negative)
• ない → なくて (connective form)
• ない → なければ (conditional negative)
• ない → なさそう (seems like it won't...)

This adjective-like behavior makes the negative form incredibly versatile and explains why it appears in so many grammar patterns.

How to Form the Negative — Step by Step

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	ない Form	Detailed Explanation
Godan	Change final う-row sound to あ-row + ない	話す (hanasu)	話さない (hanasanai)	す → さ + ない
		飲む (nomu)	飲まない (nomanai)	む → ま + ない
		買う (kau)	買わない (kawanai)	う → わ + ない (special case)
Ichidan	Drop る + ない	食べる (taberu)	食べない (tabenai)	Remove る entirely, add ない
Ichidan	Drop る + ない	見る (miru)	見ない (minai)	Remove る entirely, add ない
Suru	する → しない	する (suru)	しない (shinai)	Irregular: memorize this form
Suru	する → しない	勉強する (benkyousuru)	勉強しない (benkyoushinai)	Only する part becomes しない

Understanding Godan Negative Conjugation

For Godan verbs, the negative form shifts from the う-row to the あ-row of the same consonant column—exactly the opposite direction from the ます form (which goes to い-row). Think of it as moving down one row in the hiragana chart:

く → か
書く → 書かない
write → don't write

ぐ → が
泳ぐ → 泳がない
swim → don't swim

す → さ
話す → 話さない
speak → don't speak

つ → た
待つ → 待たない
wait → don't wait

ぬ → な
死ぬ → 死なない
die → don't die

ぶ → ば
遊ぶ → 遊ばない
play → don't play

む → ま
読む → 読まない
read → don't read

る → ら
帰る → 帰らない
return → don't return

う → わ
買う → 買わない
buy → don't buy

ない Form Variations and Conjugations

Because ない conjugates like an い-adjective, it creates several important variations that you'll use constantly in Japanese. All of these maintain the negative meaning while adding temporal or logical nuances:

Form	Pattern	Example: 話す	Meaning	Usage Context
Present Negative	Stem + ない	話さない	don't speak	Current habit or general truth
Past Negative	Stem + なかった	話さなかった	didn't speak	Completed non-action in past
Connective	Stem + なくて	話さなくて	not speaking and...	Connecting negative clauses
Conditional	Stem + なければ	話さなければ	if don't speak	Negative condition
Obligation	Stem + なければならない	話さなければならない	must speak	Double negative = obligation
Permission	Stem + なくてもいい	話さなくてもいい	don't have to speak	Permission to not do

⚠️ Critical Exception: ある (to exist)

The verb ある (to exist/have) is highly irregular in the negative. Instead of following the standard godan pattern (which would give あらない), it becomes:

ある → ない (NOT あらない)

This is one of the most common errors Japanese learners make. The negative form of ある completely replaces the verb:

Examples:
• 時間がない — There's no time (NOT 時間があらない)
• お金がなかった — There was no money
• 問題がなければ — If there's no problem

Note: The verb いる (animate existence) DOES follow regular conjugation: いる → いない

Common Grammar Patterns Using ない

The negative form serves as the foundation for many essential grammar patterns. Here are the most frequently used ones:

〜ないで (without doing / don't... and)

勉強しないで寝た — Slept without studying
朝ご飯を食べないで学校に行った — Went to school without eating breakfast

〜なければならない / 〜なくてはいけない (must/have to)

宿題をしなければならない — Must do homework
早く起きなくてはいけない — Have to wake up early

〜なくてもいい (don't have to / it's okay not to)

今日は来なくてもいいです — You don't have to come today
無理しなくてもいいよ — You don't have to push yourself

〜ないといけない (must / have to - colloquial)

もう帰らないといけない — I have to go home now
薬を飲まないといけない — I have to take medicine

Practical Usage Examples in Context

Daily Life:
• 今日は学校に行かない — I'm not going to school today
• コーヒーは飲まない — I don't drink coffee
• まだ宿題をしていない — I haven't done homework yet

Preferences & Abilities:
• 魚は好きじゃない — I don't like fish
• 日本語が分からない — I don't understand Japanese
• 漢字が読めない — I can't read kanji

Past Actions:
• 昨日は何もしなかった — I didn't do anything yesterday
• 彼は来なかった — He didn't come
• テストの勉強をしなかった — I didn't study for the test

Requesting/Prohibiting:
• 心配しないで — Don't worry
• 忘れないでね — Don't forget, okay?
• 無理しないでください — Please don't overdo it

💡 Learning Tips for Mastery

1. Connect to ます form: The negative uses the あ-row, while ます uses い-row. Both start from the same verb stem concept.

2. Practice the sound changes: Say the conjugations out loud to internalize the pattern (く→か, す→さ, む→ま, etc.)

3. Remember ある's exception: This is the #1 mistake learners make. Always use ない, never あらない.

4. Memorize common patterns: The grammar patterns (〜ないで、〜なければ、etc.) are essential for natural Japanese.

5. Listen for it: The negative form appears constantly in anime, dramas, and everyday conversation. Train your ear to recognize it.

たい形 — The Desiderative Form (Want To)

The たい form (願望形 ganbōkei) is the Japanese desiderative form, expressing the speaker's personal desires, wishes, and wants. It's one of the most useful and frequently used forms for expressing what you want to do. Unlike English, which uses a separate word ("want"), Japanese attaches たい directly to the verb stem, creating a single word that means "want to [verb]." Understanding たい is essential for expressing your needs and preferences in Japanese conversation.

When and How to Use たい

Primary Uses:
• Expressing your own desires and wants
• Asking about the listener's desires (questions only)
• Making suggestions based on desires
• Expressing wishes and aspirations
• Comparing preferences

Critical Limitation: たい can ONLY be used for the speaker's own desires (first person) or in questions to the listener (second person). For third person ("he wants to..."), you must use たがる instead.

Formality: たい is casual. For polite speech, add です: たいです

Understanding the たい Form

The たい form is remarkably straightforward because it uses the exact same stem as the ます form. If you know how to make ます, you already know 90% of how to make たい—just replace ます with たい.

The Connection:
食べます (tabemasu) → 食べ (stem) → 食べたい (tabetai)
行きます (ikimasu) → 行き (stem) → 行きたい (ikitai)
勉強します (benkyoushimasu) → 勉強し (stem) → 勉強したい (benkyoushitai)

Grammatical Nature: Once たい is attached, the whole form conjugates like an い-adjective, not a verb. This means it follows adjective conjugation patterns:

• Present: たい (want to)
• Past: たかった (wanted to)
• Negative: たくない (don't want to)
• Negative Past: たくなかった (didn't want to)

How to Form たい — Complete Guide

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	たい Form	Detailed Explanation
Godan	Change final う-row to い-row + たい	行く (iku)	行きたい (ikitai)	く → き + たい
		飲む (nomu)	飲みたい (nomitai)	む → み + たい
		買う (kau)	買いたい (kaitai)	う → い + たい
Ichidan	Drop る + たい	食べる (taberu)	食べたい (tabetai)	Remove る completely, add たい
Ichidan	Drop る + たい	見る (miru)	見たい (mitai)	Remove る completely, add たい
Suru	する → したい	する (suru)	したい (shitai)	Irregular: memorize this
Suru	する → したい	旅行する (ryokousuru)	旅行したい (ryokoushitai)	Only する becomes したい

Memory Trick: たい = ます-stem + たい

The easiest way to remember たい conjugation is to think of it as replacing ます with たい. The stem (the part before ます) stays exactly the same:

書きます → 書きたい
want to write

泳ぎます → 泳ぎたい
want to swim

待ちます → 待ちたい
want to wait

読みます → 読みたい
want to read

Complete たい Conjugation Chart

Remember: たい conjugates like an い-adjective. Here are all the forms you need to know:

Form	Pattern	Example: 食べる	Meaning	Usage
Present	Stem + たい	食べたい	want to eat	Current desire
Present Polite	Stem + たいです	食べたいです	want to eat (polite)	Formal situations
Past	Stem + たかった	食べたかった	wanted to eat	Past desire
Past Polite	Stem + たかったです	食べたかったです	wanted to eat (polite)	Formal past desire
Negative	Stem + たくない	食べたくない	don't want to eat	Lack of desire
Negative Polite	Stem + たくないです	食べたくないです	don't want to eat (polite)	Formal negative
Negative Past	Stem + たくなかった	食べたくなかった	didn't want to eat	Past lack of desire
Negative Past Polite	Stem + たくなかったです	食べたくなかったです	didn't want to eat (polite)	Formal negative past

📝 Particle Changes with たい

Important Grammar Point: When using たい, the direct object particle can change from を to が. Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances:

Using を (neutral):
水を飲みたい — I want to drink water
This focuses on the action (drinking) as the main point.

Using が (emphasized):
水が飲みたい — I want to drink water
This emphasizes the object (water) as what you desire.

Rule of thumb: Use が when the object itself is the focus of your desire ("I want WATER"). Use を when emphasizing the action of doing something. In practice, both are common and interchangeable in many contexts.

Third Person: Using たがる

When You Can't Use たい

You cannot use たい to describe someone else's desires (third person). This is because たい expresses internal feelings that you can only know about yourself. For third person, use たがる (showing signs of wanting):

First Person (✓):
私は日本に行きたい — I want to go to Japan

Second Person in Questions (✓):
何が食べたい？ — What do you want to eat?

Third Person with たい (✗):
彼は日本に行きたい — ✗ Wrong

Third Person with たがる (✓):
彼は日本に行きたがっている — He wants to go to Japan (showing signs)
子供はアイスを食べたがる — Children want to eat ice cream

Note: たがる conjugates as a regular godan verb (たがる → たがります → たがった, etc.)

Practical Usage Examples in Context

Travel & Activities:
• 日本に行きたい — I want to go to Japan
• 富士山に登りたい — I want to climb Mt. Fuji
• 温泉に入りたい — I want to enter a hot spring

Food & Drink:
• 寿司が食べたい — I want to eat sushi
• コーヒーが飲みたい — I want to drink coffee
• ラーメンを食べたかった — I wanted to eat ramen

Entertainment:
• 映画を見たい — I want to watch a movie
• 音楽を聞きたい — I want to listen to music
• ゲームがしたい — I want to play games

Learning & Work:
• 日本語を勉強したい — I want to study Japanese
• もっと練習したい — I want to practice more
• 早く帰りたい — I want to go home early

Negative Desires:
• 行きたくない — I don't want to go
• 勉強したくなかった — I didn't want to study
• 誰にも会いたくない — I don't want to meet anyone

💡 Mastery Tips for たい Form

1. Practice with ます first: Get comfortable with ます conjugation, and たい will come naturally.

2. Remember it's an adjective: Once you add たい, conjugate it like たかい、寒い、etc.

3. Use が for strong desires: When you REALLY want something, using が emphasizes your desire.

4. Master たがる early: You'll need it often to talk about others' desires.

5. Listen for it everywhere: たい is one of the most common forms in conversation, so train your ear to recognize it.

可能形 — The Potential Form (Can/Able To)

The potential form (可能形 kanōkei) expresses ability, possibility, or permission—essentially meaning "can do" or "is able to do" something. It's one of the most essential forms in Japanese for expressing capabilities, asking about possibilities, and describing what's feasible. Unlike English, which uses separate helper words like "can" or "able to," Japanese creates potential meaning by conjugating the verb itself into a new form that functions as an independent verb.

Three Main Uses of Potential Form

1. Physical/Mental Ability:
　日本語が話せます — I can speak Japanese
　泳げない — Can't swim

2. Possibility/Circumstance:
　明日行けます — I can go tomorrow (it's possible)
　ここで写真が撮れる — You can take photos here

3. Permission (soft):
　入れますか？ — Can I enter? (May I?)
　使えますか？ — Can I use this?

Understanding Potential Verbs

Critical Grammar Point: Potential verbs in Japanese are intransitive—they cannot take a direct object with を. Instead, the object uses the particle が.

Original transitive verb:
日本語を話す — speak Japanese (を = direct object)

Potential intransitive verb:
日本語が話せる — can speak Japanese (が = subject)

The particle change reflects that "Japanese" becomes the grammatical subject of "is speakable (by me)."

This is one of the most common mistakes learners make—using を with potential forms. Always remember: potential form + が (not を).

How to Form the Potential — Complete Guide

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	Potential Form	Detailed Explanation
Godan	Change う-row to え-row + る	書く (kaku)	書ける (kakeru)	く → け + る
		飲む (nomu)	飲める (nomeru)	む → め + る
		話す (hanasu)	話せる (hanaseru)	す → せ + る
Ichidan	Drop る + られる	食べる (taberu)	食べられる (taberareru)	Remove る, add られる
Ichidan	Drop る + られる	見る (miru)	見られる (mirareru)	Remove る, add られる
Suru	する → できる	運転する (untensuru)	運転できる (untendekiru)	する becomes できる
Suru	する → できる	料理する (ryourisuru)	料理できる (ryouridekiru)	する becomes できる

Godan Potential: Creates Ichidan-Looking Verbs

When you make godan verbs potential, they shift to the え-row + る, creating verbs that look and conjugate like ichidan verbs. This is actually helpful because it means potential forms of godan verbs follow simple, regular patterns:

く → ける
聞く → 聞ける
can hear/listen

ぐ → げる
泳ぐ → 泳げる
can swim

す → せる
話す → 話せる
can speak

つ → てる
持つ → 持てる
can hold

ぬ → ねる
死ぬ → 死ねる
can die

ぶ → べる
遊ぶ → 遊べる
can play

む → める
読む → 読める
can read

る → れる
切る → 切れる
can cut

う → える
買う → 買える
can buy

⚠️ Ambiguity: Potential vs. Passive for Ichidan Verbs

For ichidan verbs, the potential form (られる) and the passive form (られる) look exactly the same. Only context tells them apart:

この寿司は食べられる could mean:
• "This sushi CAN BE EATEN" (potential) — it's edible
• "This sushi IS EATEN" (passive) — someone eats it

In practice, context makes the meaning clear, but this ambiguity is why colloquial Japanese often drops the ら to make potential forms distinct.

Colloquial Potential: ら抜き (Ra-nuki)

The "ら-dropping" Phenomenon

In casual speech, many Japanese speakers drop the ら from ichidan verb potential forms. This creates shorter, more distinct forms:

Standard (Textbook):
食べられる (taberareru)
見られる (mirareru)
起きられる (okirareru)

Colloquial (ら抜き):
食べれる (tabereru)
見れる (mireru)
起きれる (okireru)

Important Note: While ら抜き is extremely common in conversation and even in media, it's technically incorrect grammar. Use the full られる form in:

Formal writing (essays, reports, business documents)
Formal speech (presentations, interviews)
Tests and academic contexts (JLPT, school exams)
When you want to sound educated and proper

However, understanding ら抜き is essential for comprehension, as you'll hear it constantly in anime, dramas, and everyday conversation.

Practical Usage Examples

Languages & Communication:
• 日本語が話せます — I can speak Japanese
• 漢字が読めない — I can't read kanji
• 英語で書ける — I can write in English

Skills & Abilities:
• ピアノが弾ける — I can play piano
• 泳げますか？ — Can you swim?
• 車が運転できる — I can drive a car

Possibility & Circumstances:
• 今日行けます — I can go today
• 明日会えない — I can't meet tomorrow
• ここで休める — You can rest here

Permission (Soft Asking):
• 入れますか？ — Can I enter?
• 写真が撮れますか？ — Can I take photos?
• 使えますか？ — Can I use this?

💡 Mastery Tips

1. Remember the particle change: Potential form always uses が, never を.

2. Godan becomes -eru: All godan potential forms end in -eru and conjugate like ichidan.

3. できる is special: For する verbs, the potential is simply できる (can do).

4. Understand ら抜き: You'll hear it everywhere, but use the full form in writing.

5. Practice with languages: Language abilities are the most common use of potential form.

意向形 — The Volitional Form (Let's/I Will)

The volitional form (意向形 ikōkei) expresses intention, suggestion, or volition. It's used to suggest doing something together ("let's..."), express determination ("I will..."), or make casual invitations. This form is essential for natural conversation in Japanese, as it's one of the primary ways to make suggestions and express future intentions informally.

Main Uses of Volitional Form

1. Suggestions (Let's...):
　行こう！ — Let's go!
　一緒に勉強しよう — Let's study together

2. Personal Determination (I will...):
　頑張ろう — I'll do my best
　明日早く起きよう — I'll wake up early tomorrow

3. Invitations/Offers:
　映画を見ようか — Shall we watch a movie?
　手伝おうか？ — Shall I help you?

Note: This is the casual form. For polite situations, use ましょう.

Formation Rules

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	Volitional Form	Explanation
Godan	Change う-row to お-row + う	行く (iku)	行こう (ikou)	く → こ + う
		飲む (nomu)	飲もう (nomou)	む → も + う
		話す (hanasu)	話そう (hanasou)	す → そ + う
Ichidan	Drop る + よう	食べる (taberu)	食べよう (tabeyou)	Remove る, add よう
Ichidan	Drop る + よう	寝る (neru)	寝よう (neyou)	Remove る, add よう
Suru	する → しよう	勉強する	勉強しよう	する becomes しよう

Godan Pattern: Long "ō" Sound

Godan verbs shift to the お-row + う, creating a characteristic long "ō" sound. This sound is very recognizable once you know it:

書く → 書こう

泳ぐ → 泳ごう

待つ → 待とう

遊ぶ → 遊ぼう

読む → 読もう

帰る → 帰ろう

Common Grammar Patterns

Pattern	Meaning	Example
Volitional + か	Shall we...?	食べようか — Shall we eat?
Volitional + と思う	I think I'll...	行こうと思う — I think I'll go
Volitional + とする	Try to / About to	開けようとする — Try to open

💬 Polite Alternative: ましょう

The plain volitional is casual. For polite invitations, use ましょう (which uses the same stem as ます):
Casual: 行こう — Let's go
Polite: 行きましょう — Let's go (polite)

Usage Examples

• 映画を見よう — Let's watch a movie
• 一緒に勉強しよう — Let's study together
• 何を食べようか — What shall we eat?
• 明日早く起きよう — I'll wake up early tomorrow
• 頑張ろう！ — Let's do our best!

条件形 — Conditional Forms (If/When)

Japanese has two primary conditional forms: the ば-conditional (hypothetical) and the たら-conditional (completed/temporal). Both express "if" or "when," but with important nuance differences. The ば-form tends toward hypothetical or habitual conditions, while たら expresses completed conditions or temporal sequences. Understanding when to use each is important for natural, nuanced Japanese expression.

ば vs. たら: Quick Comparison

ば-conditional (Hypothetical):
• More formal and literary
• Hypothetical or general conditions
• "If X, then naturally Y"
• Cannot be used with requests/commands in the result clause
• Example: 勉強すれば、分かる (If you study, you'll understand)

たら-conditional (Completed/Temporal):
• More colloquial and natural
• Completed or temporal conditions
• "When/After X happens, then Y"
• Can be used with any result clause
• Example: 家に帰ったら、電話して (When you get home, call me)

For beginners: たら is generally safer and more versatile.

ば-Form: Formation

Verb Type	Rule	Example	ば Form
Godan	Change う-row to え-row + ば	話す	話せば
Ichidan	Drop る + れば	食べる	食べれば
Suru	する → すれば	勉強する	勉強すれば

たら-Form: Formation

Simple Rule: Past form + ら

行く → 行った → 行ったら (if/when go)
食べる → 食べた → 食べたら (if/when eat)
勉強する → 勉強した → 勉強したら (if/when study)

Usage Comparison

ば Examples

勉強すれば、分かる
If you study, you'll understand

安ければ、買います
If it's cheap, I'll buy it

たら Examples

家に帰ったら、電話して
When you get home, call me

春になったら、花見に行こう
When spring comes, let's go see cherry blossoms

💡 Usage Tips

Use たら when: Talking about specific one-time events, making requests, or describing sequences
Use ば when: Expressing general truths, logical consequences, or hypothetical situations

受身形 — The Passive Form

The passive form (受身形 ukemikei) expresses that an action is done to someone or something rather than by them. Japanese passive has broader uses than English passive, including the unique "adversative passive" for expressing suffering from uncontrollable events, and honorific passive for showing respect. Understanding these different uses is essential for natural Japanese expression.

Three Types of Japanese Passive

1. Direct Passive (Like English):
　この本は多くの人に読まれている
　This book is read by many people

2. Adversative Passive (Unique to Japanese):
　雨に降られた — I got rained on (and it was inconvenient)
　財布を盗まれた — My wallet was stolen (I suffered)
　This form expresses suffering or inconvenience from an action

3. Honorific Passive (Showing Respect):
　先生が来られました — The teacher came (respectful)
　Using passive form to show respect for the subject's action

Formation Rules

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	Passive Form
Godan	Change う-row to あ-row + れる	呼ぶ (yobu)	呼ばれる
Godan	Change う-row to あ-row + れる	書く (kaku)	書かれる
Ichidan	Drop る + られる	食べる (taberu)	食べられる
Ichidan	Drop る + られる	褒める (homeru)	褒められる
Suru	する → される	紹介する	紹介される

⚠️ Ambiguity Warning

For ichidan verbs, passive (られる) and potential (られる) look identical:
食べられる = "can eat" OR "is eaten"
Context determines the meaning.

Usage Examples

Direct Passive:
• 彼は先生に褒められた — He was praised by the teacher

Adversative Passive:
• 雨に降られた — I got rained on
• 弟に泣かれた — My little brother cried on me
• 財布を盗まれた — My wallet was stolen

Honorific Passive:
• 先生が来られた — The teacher came (respectful)

使役形 — The Causative Form (Make/Let)

The causative form (使役形 shieki-kei) expresses making or letting someone do something. It has two main meanings—compulsion ("make someone do") and permission ("let someone do")—with context and particles helping to distinguish between them. This form is essential for expressing authority relationships, permissions, and obligations in Japanese.

Two Meanings of Causative

1. Compulsion (Make):
　母は私に部屋を掃除させた
　Mother made me clean my room
　(に marks the person forced to act)

2. Permission (Let/Allow):
　子供を自由に遊ばせる
　Let the child play freely
　(を marks the person allowed to act)

Particle distinction:
• に = tends toward "make" (compulsion)
• を = tends toward "let" (permission)

Formation Rules

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	Causative Form
Godan	Change う-row to あ-row + せる	行く (iku)	行かせる
Godan	Change う-row to あ-row + せる	飲む (nomu)	飲ませる
Ichidan	Drop る + させる	食べる (taberu)	食べさせる
Ichidan	Drop る + させる	見る (miru)	見させる
Suru	する → させる	勉強する	勉強させる

Causative-Passive (させられる)

The "Be Made To" Form

Combine causative + passive to express being forced to do something:

食べる → 食べさせる → 食べさせられる (be made to eat)
待つ → 待たせる → 待たせられる (be made to wait)
3時間も待たせられた — I was made to wait for 3 hours

Usage Examples

Make/Force:
• 母は私に部屋を掃除させた — Mother made me clean my room
• 先生は学生に本を読ませる — The teacher makes students read books

Let/Allow:
• 子供を自由に遊ばせる — Let the child play freely
• 彼を先に行かせた — I let him go first

Causative-Passive:
• 長い時間待たせられた — I was made to wait a long time

命令形 — The Imperative Form (Commands)

The imperative form (命令形 meirei-kei) is the direct command form of Japanese verbs. It's extremely forceful, often perceived as rude or aggressive, and should be used with great caution. This form appears mainly in emergencies, military/sports contexts, between very close friends, or in written warnings. For polite requests, てください is almost always more appropriate.

⚠️ Use With Extreme Caution

The imperative is very forceful and often rude.

Acceptable contexts:
• Emergencies and warnings ("Stop!" "Run!")
• Military or police commands
• Sports coaching and encouragement
• Very close friends (still informal)
• Written signs and traffic signals

For polite requests, use instead:
• てください — Please do... (polite)
• なさい — Do... (parental/authority)
• ましょう — Let's... (suggestion)

Example:
❌ 食べろ — Eat! (rude command)
✓ 食べてください — Please eat (polite)

Formation Rules

Verb Type	Formation Rule	Dictionary Form	Imperative
Godan	Change う-row to え-row	行く (iku)	行け！
Godan	Change う-row to え-row	飲む (nomu)	飲め！
Ichidan	Drop る + ろ	食べる (taberu)	食べろ！
Ichidan	Drop る + ろ	見る (miru)	見ろ！
Suru	する → しろ	勉強する	勉強しろ！

Negative Imperative (Don't...!)

Pattern: Dictionary form + な

To command someone NOT to do something:

• 行くな！ — Don't go!
• 食べるな！ — Don't eat!
• 触るな！ — Don't touch!
• するな！ — Don't do it!

This is equally forceful. For polite prohibitions, use ないでください.

Context Examples

Emergency/Warning:
• 止まれ！ — Stop! (traffic sign, urgent)
• 逃げろ！ — Run away!
• 来るな！ — Don't come!

Sports/Encouragement:
• 頑張れ！ — Do your best! / Go for it!
• 走れ！ — Run!
• やれ！ — Do it! / You can do it!

Anime/Drama (very direct):
• 黙れ！ — Shut up! (very rude)
• やめろ！ — Stop it!

💡 Polite Alternatives You Should Actually Use

Instead of imperatives, use:
• てください — Please do... (食べてください)
• てくれ — Do it for me (食べてくれ) [casual but not rude]
• なさい — Do... (食べなさい) [parental]
• ましょう — Let's... (食べましょう) [suggestion]

These achieve the same goal while being respectful and appropriate for most situations.

形容詞 — Japanese Adjectives

Japanese adjectives are remarkably different from their English counterparts—they conjugate like verbs! There are two main types: い-adjectives (i-adjectives) and な-adjectives (na-adjectives). Understanding the fundamental difference between these types is essential: い-adjectives are true adjectives that conjugate independently, while な-adjectives are actually nouns that function adjectivally when paired with な or です.

Understanding the Fundamental Difference

The key insight: い-adjectives and な-adjectives aren't just two variations of the same thing—they're fundamentally different parts of speech that happen to both describe things.

い-Adjectives = True Adjectives

Function like verbs in Japanese grammar
Have their own built-in conjugations
Can stand alone as predicates
Don't need です to be grammatically complete (though です adds politeness)

な-Adjectives = Adjectival Nouns

Are actually nouns at their core
Borrow verb endings (だ/です) to function as predicates
Need な to connect to nouns
Require です/だ to be complete sentences

The Two Types: In-Depth Comparison

い形容詞 (I-Adjectives)

Always end in い (the い is part of the word itself) and conjugate by changing that final い

Common examples:
大きい (ookii) - big
美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
寒い (samui) - cold
新しい (atarashii) - new
楽しい (tanoshii) - fun

な形容詞 (Na-Adjectives)

Do NOT have a built-in ending (they're nouns). Add な before nouns, use です/だ as predicates

Common examples:
静か (shizuka) - quiet
便利 (benri) - convenient
有名 (yuumei) - famous
親切 (shinsetsu) - kind
元気 (genki) - healthy/energetic

⚠️ The Tricky Part: Some な-Adjectives End in い!

This is where students get confused. Some な-adjectives look like い-adjectives because they end in い, but they're still な-adjectives! These must be memorized:

Common な-adjectives that end in い:
きれい (kirei) - pretty/clean
嫌い (kirai) - disliked/hated
有名 (yuumei) - famous (ends in mei, sounds like い)
嫌い (kirai) - dislike

How to tell: If you can't conjugate the い (like きれくない ✗), it's a な-adjective. The correct form is きれいじゃない ✓

い-Adjectives: Complete Conjugation Guide

い-adjectives conjugate by dropping the final い and adding different endings. Think of the い as a removable suffix that gets replaced based on what you want to express. The stem (everything before い) never changes.

The Logic Behind い-Adjective Conjugation:

い-adjectives conjugate similarly to verbs because they can function as predicates on their own. The conjugation pattern follows a logical structure:

い → くない (negative): The く connects to ない (the negative form of ある, "to exist")
い → かった (past): The か becomes the stem for past tense, similar to verb た-form logic
い → くて (て-form): Parallel to verb て-forms, used for connecting
い → く (adverb): Converts the adjective to describe how an action is done

Form	Pattern	Example: 高い (takai - expensive)	Meaning
Present	Base form (no change)	高い	(is) expensive
Present Polite	Base + です	高いです	(is) expensive [polite]
Negative	Drop い + くない	高くない	(is) not expensive
Negative Polite	Drop い + くないです (or くありません)	高くないです高くありません	(is) not expensive [polite]
Past	Drop い + かった	高かった	was expensive
Past Polite	Drop い + かったです	高かったです	was expensive [polite]
Negative Past	Drop い + くなかった	高くなかった	was not expensive
Negative Past Polite	Drop い + くなかったです	高くなかったです	was not expensive [polite]
て-form	Drop い + くて	高くて	expensive and...
Conditional	Drop い + ければ	高ければ	if (it's) expensive
Adverb	Drop い + く	高く	expensively (manner)

Practice Sentences with い-Adjectives:

この本は面白くて、安いです。
Kono hon wa omoshirokute, yasui desu.
This book is interesting and cheap.

→ Using て-form to link two い-adjectives

昨日は寒くなかったです。
Kinou wa samukunakatta desu.
Yesterday was not cold.

→ Negative past polite form

もっと大きければいいです。
Motto ookikereba ii desu.
It would be good if it were bigger.

→ Conditional form (ければ)

⚠️ Special Case: いい (good) - The Irregular Exception

The adjective いい (good) is the only irregular い-adjective! It conjugates using the stem よ instead of い:

Present: いい ✓ (both いい and よい are acceptable)
Negative: よくない ✓ (NOT いくない ✗)
Past: よかった ✓ (NOT いかった ✗)
て-form: よくて ✓ (NOT いくて ✗)
Adverb: よく ✓ (often, well)

Why? Historically, the proper form is よい, and いい is a colloquial shortening that's only used in the present tense.

な-Adjectives: Complete Conjugation Guide

Understanding な-Adjectives as Nouns:

な-adjectives are fundamentally different from い-adjectives because they're actually nouns. In Japanese grammar, they're called 形容動詞 (keiyoudoushi) or "adjectival verbs/nouns." Here's what this means in practice:

They can't conjugate on their own—they need to borrow だ/です (the copula verb)
When modifying nouns directly, they need な as a connector (like "of" in English)
They follow the exact same pattern as regular nouns when used as predicates
Many started as Chinese loan words, which is why they often have a different feel

Compare these sentences:
学生だ - (I) am a student [noun]
静かだ - (It) is quiet [な-adjective]
→ Both use だ in the same way!

Since な-adjectives are nouns, they conjugate by using です/だ (the copula - the "is/am/are" verb). The な-adjective itself doesn't change—only the です/だ part conjugates.

Form	Pattern	Example: 静か (shizuka - quiet)	Meaning
Present Casual	Base + だ	静かだ	(is) quiet
Present Polite	Base + です	静かです	(is) quiet [polite]
Negative Casual	Base + じゃない (or ではない - formal writing)	静かじゃない静かではない	(is) not quiet
Negative Polite	Base + じゃないです (or じゃありません)	静かじゃないです静かじゃありません	(is) not quiet [polite]
Past Casual	Base + だった	静かだった	was quiet
Past Polite	Base + でした	静かでした	was quiet [polite]
Negative Past Casual	Base + じゃなかった	静かじゃなかった	was not quiet
Negative Past Polite	Base + じゃなかったです	静かじゃなかったです	was not quiet [polite]
て-form	Base + で	静かで	quiet and...
Conditional	Base + なら(ば)	静かなら	if (it's) quiet
Modifying Nouns	Base + な + noun	静かな場所	a quiet place
Adverb	Base + に	静かに	quietly (manner)

The Critical な Rule: When to Use な

This is where many learners struggle. な appears ONLY when the adjective directly modifies a noun that comes right after it. In all other situations, you don't use な.

✓ USE な:

静かな部屋
a quiet room
→ な connects to the noun 部屋

有名な人
a famous person
→ な connects to the noun 人

便利なもの
a convenient thing
→ な connects to the noun もの

✗ DON'T USE な:

部屋は静かです。
The room is quiet.
→ No な because it's a predicate

彼は有名だ。
He is famous.
→ No な, uses だ as predicate

静かで便利です。
It's quiet and convenient.
→ No な in て-form

Memory Trick: Think of な as "of" or "'s" in English. You'd say "a room of quietness" (静かな部屋), but not "the room is of quiet" - you just say "the room is quiet" (部屋は静かです).

Practice Sentences with な-Adjectives:

この町は静かで、便利です。
Kono machi wa shizuka de, benri desu.
This town is quiet and convenient.

→ Using て-form (で) to link two な-adjectives as predicates

昨日のパーティーは賑やかじゃなかったです。
Kinou no paatii wa nigiyaka janakatta desu.
Yesterday's party was not lively.

→ Negative past polite form

彼は親切な先生です。
Kare wa shinsetsu na sensei desu.
He is a kind teacher.

→ Using な to modify the noun 先生

静かに話してください。
Shizuka ni hanashite kudasai.
Please speak quietly.

→ Adverb form (に) modifying the verb 話す

Common な-Adjectives You Should Know

Describing places/things:
便利 (benri) - convenient • 不便 (fuben) - inconvenient • 静か (shizuka) - quiet • 賑やか (nigiyaka) - lively

Describing people:
親切 (shinsetsu) - kind • 真面目 (majime) - serious/earnest • 元気 (genki) - energetic/healthy • 素敵 (suteki) - wonderful/lovely

Abstract qualities:
大切 (taisetsu) - important • 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary • 簡単 (kantan) - simple/easy • 複雑 (fukuzatsu) - complex

States/conditions:
有名 (yuumei) - famous • 自由 (jiyuu) - free • 安全 (anzen) - safe • 危険 (kiken) - dangerous

Side-by-Side Comparison: い vs な Adjectives

Aspect	い-Adjectives	な-Adjectives
Part of Speech	True adjectives	Adjectival nouns
Ending	Always end in い	No consistent ending
Conjugation	Change the い itself	Add です/だ (like nouns)
Modifying Nouns	Direct: 赤い車	Need な: 静かな車
As Predicate	高い (complete) 高いです (polite)	静かだ (casual) 静かです (polite)
Negative	高くない	静かじゃない
Past	高かった	静かだった
て-form	高くて	静かで
Adverb Form	Drop い + く: 高く	Add に: 静かに
Origin	Usually native Japanese	Often Chinese loan words

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

❌ Mistake #1: Using な with い-adjectives

✗ Wrong: 赤いな車
✓ Correct: 赤い車 (akai kuruma - red car)

Why: い-adjectives modify nouns directly without な.

❌ Mistake #2: Forgetting な with な-adjectives

✗ Wrong: 静か部屋
✓ Correct: 静かな部屋 (shizuka na heya - quiet room)

Why: な-adjectives need な to connect to nouns.

❌ Mistake #3: Trying to conjugate な-adjectives like い-adjectives

✗ Wrong: きれくない (trying to conjugate like い-adjective)
✓ Correct: きれいじゃない (kirei janai - not pretty)

Why: Even though きれい ends in い, it's a な-adjective and must use じゃない for negation.

❌ Mistake #4: Using な when the adjective is a predicate

✗ Wrong: この部屋は静かなです
✓ Correct: この部屋は静かです (kono heya wa shizuka desu - this room is quiet)

Why: な only appears before nouns being modified. When the adjective is the predicate (main descriptor), use です/だ directly.

❌ Mistake #5: Mixing up だ and です placement

✗ Wrong: 高いだ or 静かいです
✓ Correct: 高い or 高いです (for い-adjectives)
✓ Correct: 静かだ or 静かです (for な-adjectives)

Why: い-adjectives can stand alone (the い is already like "is"). な-adjectives need だ/です because they're nouns.

Learning Strategies: How to Master Adjectives

📚 Strategy #1: Learn な-adjectives as vocabulary items

Since there's no reliable pattern for identifying な-adjectives (unlike い-adjectives which always end in い), you need to memorize them individually. When you learn a new adjective, always note whether it's い or な.

Good practice: Create flashcards that show both forms:
Front: 静か
Back: [な-adj] quiet • 静かな部屋 (quiet room) • 部屋は静かです (the room is quiet)

🔍 Strategy #2: Test with conjugation

When you're unsure if something is an い or な-adjective, try conjugating it to negative:

If 〜くない sounds right → it's an い-adjective (e.g., 高い → 高くない)
If 〜じゃない sounds right → it's a な-adjective (e.g., きれい → きれいじゃない)
If neither sounds right, you might need to check a dictionary!

🎯 Strategy #3: Practice the な rule repeatedly

The な rule is simple but easy to forget: Use な ONLY when the adjective comes directly before a noun it's modifying. Practice by converting sentences:

この町は静かです。 (This town is quiet.) → 静かな町 (a quiet town)
彼は有名です。 (He is famous.) → 有名な人 (a famous person)

💡 Strategy #4: Understand the "why" behind な-adjectives

Remember that な-adjectives are essentially nouns. When you say 静かな部屋, you're literally saying "a room of quietness." This な is similar to the possessive の that connects nouns. Once you internalize that な-adjectives are nouns in disguise, their behavior makes much more sense.

🗣️ Strategy #5: Immersion and pattern recognition

Pay attention to how native speakers use adjectives in real content (anime, dramas, podcasts, books). You'll start to develop an intuition for which adjectives are い vs な. Common な-adjectives you'll hear all the time:

元気 (genki)

大丈夫 (daijoubu)

好き (suki)

嫌い (kirai)

きれい (kirei)

静か (shizuka)

便利 (benri)

有名 (yuumei)

Using Adjectives with Verbs

Adjectives and verbs work together in Japanese to create rich, descriptive sentences. Understanding how to combine them is essential for expressing complex ideas naturally.

1. Linking Multiple Adjectives with て-form (and)

Use the て-form to connect multiple adjectives describing the same thing. This is like saying "and" in English.

い-adjectives: Drop い + くて

この本は面白くて、安いです。
Kono hon wa omoshirokute, yasui desu.
This book is interesting and cheap.

な-adjectives: Add で

彼女は親切で、優しいです。
Kanojo wa shinsetsu de, yasashii desu.
She is kind and gentle.

2. Describing Actions: Adjectives as Adverbs

To describe how an action is performed, convert adjectives to adverbs. These adverbs then modify verbs.

い-adjectives → Drop い + く

速い (hayai - fast)
→ 速く (hayaku)

速く走ります。
Hayaku hashirimasu.
I run fast.

な-adjectives → Add に

静か (shizuka - quiet)
→ 静かに (shizuka ni)

静かに話してください。
Shizuka ni hanashite kudasai.
Please speak quietly.

More examples:

上手に弾けます。 (jouzu ni hikemasu) - Can play skillfully

早く起きました。 (hayaku okimashita) - Woke up early

綺麗に書いてください。 (kirei ni kaite kudasai) - Please write neatly

3. Describing Results: Adjective + する/にする

Use する (to do/make) or にする (to make into) to express making something become a certain way.

い-adjectives: Drop い + くする

音を小さくしてください。
Oto wo chiisaku shite kudasai.
Please make the sound quieter. (Turn down the volume)

な-adjectives: Add にする

部屋をきれいにしました。
Heya wo kirei ni shimashita.
I made the room clean. / I cleaned the room.

4. Expressing Change: Adjective + なる (to become)

Use なる (to become) to express that something is changing or has changed state naturally.

い-adjectives: Drop い + くなる

寒くなりました。
Samuku narimashita.
It became cold. / It got cold.

な-adjectives: Add になる

有名になりたいです。
Yuumei ni naritai desu.
I want to become famous.

する vs なる:
• 〜くする/にする = to make something that way (you cause it)
• 〜くなる/になる = to become that way (it changes naturally)

5. Modifying Nouns: Describing What Kind

Adjectives can directly modify nouns to specify what kind of thing you're talking about.

い-adjectives: Place directly before noun

大きい犬 (ookii inu) - a big dog
美しい景色 (utsukushii keshiki) - beautiful scenery

な-adjectives: Add な before noun

静かな場所 (shizuka na basho) - a quiet place
有名な歌手 (yuumei na kashu) - a famous singer

Comprehensive Practice Examples

Here are complex sentences that combine multiple adjective patterns:

このケーキは甘くて美味しいです。
Kono keeki wa amakute oishii desu.
This cake is sweet and delicious.

→ Two い-adjectives linked with て-form

東京は便利で、賑やかな街です。
Tokyo wa benri de, nigiyaka na machi desu.
Tokyo is a convenient and lively city.

→ Two な-adjectives: one with て-form (で), one modifying noun (な)

昨日は寒くなかったです。
Kinou wa samukunakatta desu.
Yesterday was not cold.

→ い-adjective in negative past polite form

もっと早く起きなければなりません。
Motto hayaku okinakereba narimasen.
I must wake up earlier.

→ い-adjective as adverb (早く) modifying verb 起きる

部屋を綺麗にして、静かに勉強しました。
Heya wo kirei ni shite, shizuka ni benkyou shimashita.
I cleaned the room and studied quietly.

→ な-adjectives: one with にする (making something), one as adverb with に

天気が良くなって、暖かくなりました。
Tenki ga yokunatte, atatakaku narimashita.
The weather got better and it became warm.

→ Two い-adjectives with なる (becoming), linked with て-form

🎓 Quick Reference Summary

い-Adjectives:
• Conjugate on their own (change the い)
• Modify nouns directly: 大きい犬
• Negative: 〜くない • Past: 〜かった • Adverb: 〜く

な-Adjectives:
• Use です/だ (they're nouns)
• Need な before nouns: 静かな犬
• Negative: 〜じゃない • Past: 〜だった • Adverb: 〜に

Key Rule: Use な ONLY when the adjective directly modifies a noun. Otherwise, use です/だ.

	A	I	U	E	O
vowels	a あア	i いイ	u うウ	e えエ	o おオ
K	ka かカ	ki きキ	ku くク	ke けケ	ko こコ
S	sa さサ	shi しシ	su すス	se せセ	so そソ
T	ta たタ	chi ちチ	tsu つツ	te てテ	to とト
N	na なナ	ni にニ	nu ぬヌ	ne ねネ	no のノ
H	ha はハ	hi ひヒ	fu ふフ	he へヘ	ho ほホ
M	ma まマ	mi みミ	mu むム	me めメ	mo もモ
Y	ya やヤ		yu ゆユ		yo よヨ
R	ra らラ	ri りリ	ru るル	re れレ	ro ろロ
W	wa わワ				wo をヲ
N	n んン

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📖 Quick Guide

Hiragana (ひらがな)

Katakana (カタカナ)

Reading the Charts

Basic Kana (五十音 Gojūon)

Dakuten (濁点) — Voiced Sounds

Combination Sounds (拗音 Yōon)

How Japanese Verbs Work

Why Conjugation Matters

The Three Verb Types

五段 Godan

一段 Ichidan

する Suru

How to Identify Verb Types

Step 1: Does it end in する?

Step 2: Does it end in -eru (える) or -iru (いる)?

Step 3: Everything else

Foundation: The Hiragana Sound System

Godan Verbs: The Five-Row System

Watch the Transformation

Step-by-Step Process

⚠️ Past Tense: Special Sound Changes

Ichidan Verbs: The Simple Pattern

Example: 食べる (taberu - to eat)

Suru Verbs: The Irregular Pattern

Example: 勉強する (benkyou suru - to study)

Putting It All Together

Verb Forms & Adjectives

ます形 — The Polite Form

Understanding the ます Form

How to Form ます — Step by Step

Essential ます Variations

Common Patterns with ます

Practical Examples in Context

て形 — The Connecting Form

Formation Rules — Understanding the Pattern

Major Patterns Using て Form

Common て Form Patterns Chart

辞書形 — The Dictionary Form

When to Use Dictionary Form

Dictionary Form by Verb Type

Common Grammatical Patterns Using Dictionary Form

Dictionary Form in Casual Conversation

た形 — The Past Form

Formation Rules — Parallel to て Form

Polite vs. Casual Past Forms

Essential Patterns Using た Form

た Form Pattern Summary

Real-Life Examples in Context

ない形 — The Negative Form

Understanding Japanese Negation

How to Form the Negative — Step by Step

ない Form Variations and Conjugations

Common Grammar Patterns Using ない

Practical Usage Examples in Context

たい形 — The Desiderative Form (Want To)

Understanding the たい Form

How to Form たい — Complete Guide

Complete たい Conjugation Chart

Third Person: Using たがる

Practical Usage Examples in Context