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Language Learning › Learn Japanese › Grammar › JLPT N5 Grammar Patterns ›

〜です — Copula (Polite Be)

Properties Property Value Level JLPT N5 Type Copula Register Polite (丁寧語) Meaning です ( desu ) is the polite copula in Japanese. It links a noun or な-adjective to the predicate of a sentence, functioning as "is / am / are" in English. It carries no tense or aspect of its own beyond the forms shown below, and it never attaches directly to い-adjectives to form their predicate — those...
japanese grammar n5 verb-forms May 30, 2026
Language Learning › Learn Japanese › Grammar › JLPT N5 Grammar Patterns ›

〜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...
japanese grammar n5 verb-forms May 30, 2026
Language Learning › Learn Japanese › Grammar › JLPT N5 Grammar Patterns ›

〜ている — Ongoing Action and Resultant State

Properties Property Value Level N5 Form te-form compound Register Neutral Meaning 〜ている has two main interpretations depending on the verb type. 1. Ongoing Action (Progressive) Used with action verbs to express that an action is currently in progress — equivalent to English "-ing." 食べている — is eating (the action of eating is still happening) 走っている — is running 2. Resultant State Used with verbs that describe a change of state....
japanese grammar n5 verb-forms May 30, 2026