〜ます — Polite Non-Past Verb Form
Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | JLPT N5 |
| Category | Verb Form |
| Register | Polite (丁寧語) |
Meaning
〜ます is the polite non-past verb ending used in formal and standard conversation. It expresses both present habitual actions and future intentions. This form is taught first to learners because it is appropriate for most everyday situations with people you do not know well, in workplaces, and in any context requiring politeness.
Formation
Group 1 — Godan Verbs (五段動詞)
Change the final u-row kana to the i-row kana, then add ます.
| Dictionary Form | Stem Change | ます Form |
|---|---|---|
| 書く (kaku) — to write | 書く → 書き | 書きます |
| 飲む (nomu) — to drink | 飲む → 飲み | 飲みます |
| 話す (hanasu) — to speak | 話す → 話し | 話します |
| 買う (kau) — to buy | 買う → 買い | 買います |
| 待つ (matsu) — to wait | 待つ → 待ち | 待ちます |
Group 2 — Ichidan Verbs (一段動詞)
Drop the final る, then add ます.
| Dictionary Form | Stem | ます Form |
|---|---|---|
| 食べる (taberu) — to eat | 食べ | 食べます |
| 見る (miru) — to see | 見 | 見ます |
| 起きる (okiru) — to wake up | 起き | 起きます |
| 教える (oshieru) — to teach | 教え | 教えます |
Irregular Verbs
| Dictionary Form | ます Form |
|---|---|
| する (suru) — to do | します |
| くる (kuru) — to come | きます |
Full Conjugation Table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative (non-past) | 〜ます | -masu |
| Negative (non-past) | 〜ません | -masen |
| Affirmative (past) | 〜ました | -mashita |
| Negative (past) | 〜ませんでした | -masen deshita |
Example verb — 食べる (to eat):
| Form | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Affirmative | 食べます |
| Negative | 食べません |
| Past | 食べました |
| Negative past | 食べませんでした |
Example Sentences
-
毎朝コーヒーを飲みます。 Maiasa koohii o nomimasu. I drink coffee every morning.
-
明日、図書館へ行きます。 Ashita, toshokan e ikimasu. I will go to the library tomorrow.
-
昨日、友達に会いました。 Kinou, tomodachi ni aimashita. I met a friend yesterday.
-
今日は学校に来ませんでした。 Kyou wa gakkou ni kimasen deshita. (He/She) did not come to school today.
-
日本語を勉強します。 Nihongo o benkyou shimasu. I study Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Confusing Group 1 and Group 2 verbs
Some Group 1 (godan) verbs end in る and look identical to Group 2 (ichidan) verbs. Learners often treat them as ichidan and drop the る incorrectly.
| Verb | Correct ます Form | Wrong ます Form | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 帰る (kaeru) — to return home | 帰ります | Godan verb ending in る | |
| 切る (kiru) — to cut | 切ります | Godan verb ending in る | |
| 入る (hairu) — to enter | 入ります | Godan verb ending in る |
A reliable check: if the vowel sound before る is e (え段), the verb is almost always ichidan (e.g., 食べる, 見る, 教える). Verbs with a/i/u/o before る are usually godan, but memorization of common exceptions is recommended.