Japanese Conjugation of Verbs
(Note: This page covers the Japanese conjugation of verbs. If you’re looking for information on adjectives, check out the Japanese conjugation page on adjectives)
There are three types of verbs in the Japanese language: verbs ending in -u, verbs ending in -iru or -eru, and irregular verbs.
Most Japanese conversations consist of talking about the present and the past tense. It should be noted that there is not future tense of verbs. Instead Japanese uses the present tense verb to talk about either the present or the future. Use the context of the sentence to determine if it refers to future or present action.
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Japanese Conjugation of Verbs Ending in -u
When there is a -u verb, you can take the dictionary form of the verb and change the last syllable from -u to -i. Then add -masu. This will create the -masu form of the verb.
For example, using the verb yomu (to read),
yomu – mu = yo
yo + mi = yomi
yomi + masu = yomimasu
This is a present tense form that is used for polite or general use. If in doubt, use the -masu form when talking in the present tense.
To make the verb negative, simply change -masu to -masen
yomimasu – masu = yomi
yomi + masen = yomimasen
For the past tense, take -masu and change it to -mashita.
yomimasu – masu = yomi
yomi + mashita = yomimashita
And then for the past tense negative, add -deshita after the present tense negative form of the verb
yomimasen + deshita = yomimasen deshita
Japanese Conjugation of Verbs Ending in -iru or -eru
When conjugating -iru and -eru verbs, remove the -ru and relplace it with -masu to make the -masu (present tense) form of the verb.
For example, using the verb taberu (to eat):
taberu – ru = tabe
tabe + masu = tabemasu
From here the rest of the conjugation is exactly the same as the -u verbs.
The present negative:
tabemasu – masu = tabe
tabe + masen = tabemasen
The past tense:
tabemasu – masu = tabe
tabe + mashita = tabemashita
The past tense negative:
tabemasen + deshita = tabemasen deshita
Japanese Conjugation of Irregular Verbs
Since kuru (to arrive) and suru (to do) are the only irregular verbs in Japanese, here is how you conjugate them into the -masu form:
kuru – uru = k
k + imasu = kimasu
suru – uru = s
s + himasu = shimasu
for the present negative tense:
kimasu – masu = ki
ki + masen = kimasen
shimasu – masu = shi
shi + masen = shimasen
for the past tense:
kimasu – masu = ki
ki + mashita = kimashita
shimasu – masu = shi
shi + mashita = shimashita
And for the past negative tense:
kimasen + deshita = kimasen deshita
shimasen + deshita = shimasen deshita
Japanese conjugation of verbs is actually fairly easy compared to other languages (including English). Practice these conjugation patterns and you will be able to form just about every sentence you will need to get your message across in Japanese.
Take a look at the Japanese conjugation lesson on adjectives as well. If you’ve studied other languages, it may seem a little strange to conjugate adjectives, but like the Japanese verbs, adjectives are straightforward and nothing to get worried over.