待つ
まつ
to wait
Matsu (待つ) is a godan verb meaning "to wait". Its polite form is 待ちます (machimasu), its te form is 待って (matte), its past form is 待った (matta), and its negative form is 待たない (matanai).
Godan verbJLPT N5
Matsu (待つ) conjugation quick reference
待つ means "to wait". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Matsu example sentences
バスを待ちます。
I wait for the bus.
友だちを待ちません。
I don't wait for my friend.
先生を待ちました。
I waited for the teacher.
How to use Matsu: grammar notes
•Use を after the thing or person you're waiting for—like 人を待つ (to wait for a person); don’t say 人が待つ unless the person is doing the waiting.
•Use place + で to show where you're waiting—like 駅で待つ (wait at the station); don’t use に for places when talking about waiting.
•To say how long you waited, use time + 間 (あいだ) or just the duration—like 10分待ちました (I waited 10 minutes); be careful not to mix up the time with the place marker に.
•JLPT N5 level
Common phrases with Matsu
ちょっと待って（ください）
Please wait a moment
待ち合わせする
To arrange to meet / to meet up
待ってて（ね）
Wait for me (casual)
Matsu (待つ) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 待つ | matsu |
| Masu Form | 待ちます | machimasu |
| Te Form | 待って | matte |
| Past Form | 待った | matta |
| Negative Form | 待たない | matanai |
| Past Negative | 待たなかった | matanakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 待ちます | machimasu |
| Polite Past | 待ちました | machimashita |
| Polite Negative | 待ちません | machimasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 待ちませんでした | machimasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | 待てる | materu |
| Passive Form | 待たれる | matareru |
| Causative Form | 待たせる | mataseru |
| Causative Passive | 待たされる | matasareru |
| Volitional Form | 待とう | matou |
| Imperative Form | 待て | mate |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | 待てば | mateba |
| Conditional (たら) | 待ったら | mattara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | 待っている | matteiru |
| Desire (たい) | 待ちたい | machitai |
| Prohibition | 待つな | matsuna |