申す
もうす
-- extra-modest (humble) expression for 言う (いう) --
Mousu (申す) is an irregular verb meaning "extra-modest (humble) expression for 言う (いう)". Its polite form is 申します (moushimasu), its te form is 申して (moushite), its past form is 申した (moushita), and its negative form is 申さない (mousanai).
Irregular verbJLPT N4
Mousu (申す) conjugation quick reference
申す means "extra-modest (humble) expression for 言う (いう)". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Mousu example sentences
私の名前は田中と申します。
My name is Tanaka.
昨日、彼に電話番号を申し上げました。
I told him my phone number yesterday.
住所を申し上げることができません。
I cannot tell you my address.
How to use Mousu: grammar notes
•Use 申す when humbly introducing yourself or your name, like 「田中と申します」 (“My name is Tanaka”) — a polite way to say it in formal situations.
•Always use the particle と before 申す to show what you are saying, as in 「ジョンと申します」 (“I am called John”) — don’t use を or に here.
•Don’t use 申す when talking casually or with friends — it’s too formal and can sound strange in everyday conversation.
•JLPT N4 level
Common phrases with Mousu
はじめまして、[名前]と申します。
Nice to meet you, my name is [name].
よろしくお願い申し上げます。
I humbly ask for your favor (polite way to say “Nice to meet you” or “Thank you in advance”).
申し訳ありません。
I’m terribly sorry. (Very polite apology)
Mousu (申す) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 申す | mousu |
| Masu Form | 申します | moushimasu |
| Te Form | 申して | moushite |
| Past Form | 申した | moushita |
| Negative Form | 申さない | mousanai |
| Past Negative | 申さなかった | mousanakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 申します | moushimasu |
| Polite Past | 申しました | moushimashita |
| Polite Negative | 申しません | moushimasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 申しませんでした | moushimasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | - | |
| Passive Form | - | |
| Causative Form | - | |
| Causative Passive | - | |
| Volitional Form | - | |
| Imperative Form | - | |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | - | |
| Conditional (たら) | - | |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | - | |
| Desire (たい) | - | |
| Prohibition | - | |