Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Dictionary Form

The dictionary form (basic form) of all Japanese verbs end with "u". This is the form listed in the dictionary, and is the informal, present affirmative form of the verb. This form is used among close friends and family in informal situations.

The ~ masu Form (Formal Form)

The suffix "~ masu" is added to the dictionary form of the verbs to make sentence polite. Aside from changing the tone, it has no meaning. This form is used in situations required politeness or a degree of formality, and is more appropriate for general use. Click here to check out the ~ masu form of the basic verbs.



The ~ masu Form
Group 1 Take off the final ~u, and add ~ imasu
kaku --- kakimasu, nomu --- nomimasu
Group 2 Take off the final ~ru, and add ~ masu
miru --- mimasu, taberu --- tabemasu
Group 3 kuru --- kimasu, suru --- shimasu

The ~ masu Form minus "~ masu" is the stem of the verb. The verb stems are useful since many verb suffixes are attached to them.



~ Masu Form The stem of the verb
kakimasu kaki
nomimasu nomi
mimasu mi
tabemasu tabe