Lesson 5: Basic Actions: ます-Form & Particles

Present Tense Verb Conjugation (ます-form) – Group 1, 2, 3

In Japanese, polite verb forms in the present tense (ます-form) fall into three categories—Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3.

Group 1 (五段ごだん動詞どうし / "U-Verbs")

These verbs end in u sounds (e.g., く, す, う, つ, む, etc.) in their dictionary form.
To form the ます-form, change the final う-sound into the corresponding い-sound, then add ます.

Group 2 (一段いちだん動詞どうし / "Ru-Verbs")

These verbs typically end in -eru or -iru in their dictionary form.
Remove the final る and add ます.

Note:
Some verbs ending in る e.g.
走はしる
belong to Group 1 if they do not follow the -eru/-iru pattern.

Group 3 (Irregular Verbs)

Only two main verbs are truly irregular:

Cultural Note:
Understanding verb conjugation is essential for Japanese communication. Japanese speakers often judge language proficiency based on correct verb forms. Even if you make other mistakes, proper verb conjugation will make your speech more comprehensible and respectful.

Object Marker を

In Japanese, the particle を (pronounced "o") marks the direct object of a verb—what is being acted upon.

Examples

Tip:
を almost always comes immediately after the object (subject–object–verb order).

Cultural Note:
In very casual speech or writing, sometimes を gets dropped, especially in texting or social media. However, in formal or polite speech, it's important to include it. Using particles correctly is one of the marks of proper Japanese.

Location Marker で

The particle で marks the location where an action occurs or the means by which it happens (i.e. "at/in" a location or "by" a method).

Location of Action:

Means/Method:

Note:
Use で for where an action occurs, and に when indicating a destination.

Comparison with に:
学校がっこうで勉強べんきょうします。
(I study at school.)
学校がっこうに行いきます。
(I go to school.)

Reinforce Using は・が

These particles help indicate who is doing the action, with important differences in nuance.

Using は (wa):

Sets the topic or gives a general statement.

Using が (ga):

Emphasizes or specifies the doer of the action.

When to Use Which:

• Use は when introducing a general statement about the topic
• Use が when emphasizing who specifically is doing something or when answering a "who" question

Practical Example:
If someone asks
"Who will make dinner tonight?",
you might respond:
私わたしが作つくります。
(I will make it - emphasizing that it's you who will do it)

Cultural Note:
Understanding the difference between は and が is subtle but important for natural Japanese. Even advanced learners sometimes struggle with the nuances, so don't worry about making mistakes as you practice.

Plain Form Cameo

This cameo highlights the difference between the dictionary (plain) form and the polite ます-form.

Simple Comparison

Usage:

• The dictionary form (行く, 食(た)べる, 見(み)る) is used in casual conversation among friends and family
• The ます-form (行きます, 食(た)べます, 見(み)ます) is the polite form used in formal or public contexts

Tip:
In Japanese dictionaries you'll see the dictionary form (行く, 食べる) listed, but in everyday polite speech you use the ます-form (行きます, 食べます).

Cultural Note:
Choosing between dictionary form and ます-form depends on your relationship with the listener. Using ます-form with friends might sound too stiff, while using dictionary form with superiors would be too casual. Japanese language reflects the social hierarchy through these speech levels.

Putting It All Together: Basic Actions

Now that you've learned about verb conjugation and particles, you can start describing various daily activities in Japanese. Below are common expressions combining what you've learned so far.

Daily Activities

Practice Dialogue: Weekend Plans

A: 週末しゅうまつに何なにをしますか？
(Shūmatsu ni nani o shimasu ka?)
("What do you do on the weekend?")

B: 土曜日どようびに友達ともだち
と公園こうえんでテニスをします。
日曜日にちようびは図書館としょかん
で勉強べんきょうします。田中たなかさんは？
(Doyōbi ni tomodachi to kōen de tenisu o shimasu. Nichiyōbi wa toshokan de benkyō shimasu. Tanaka-san wa?)
("On Saturday, I play tennis with friends at the park. On Sunday, I study at the library. How about you, Tanaka-san?")

A: 私わたしは家いえで映画えいがを見みます。
時々ときどきレストランで食事しょくじをします。
(Watashi wa ie de eiga o mimasu. Tokidoki resutoran de shokuji o shimasu.)
("I watch movies at home. Sometimes I eat at restaurants.")

Try practicing this dialogue with a partner, substituting your own weekend activities!

Cultural Note:
In Japan, many people use weekends for hobbies, relaxation, and spending time with family. While some companies require work on Saturdays, most Japanese now have a two-day weekend. Common weekend activities include shopping, visiting parks, going to museums, or enjoying nature spots outside the city.

Present Tense Negative Forms (ません)

To express that you don't do something or won't do something in Japanese, you need to use the negative form of verbs. Just like with affirmative forms, the negative patterns follow the three verb groups.

Group 1 (U-Verbs) Negative Pattern

To form the negative of Group 1 verbs:

1. Change the final う-sound to the corresponding あ-sound
2. Add ません

Group 2 (Ru-Verbs) Negative Pattern

To form the negative of Group 2 verbs:

1. Remove the final る
2. Add ません

Group 3 (Irregular Verbs) Negative Pattern

The two irregular verbs have their own negative patterns:

Cultural Note:
In Japanese, there are multiple ways to express negation depending on the level of politeness. The ません form is the polite negative form used in formal situations. In casual conversation among friends and family, different negative forms are used such as ない, which you'll learn more about later.