Japanese Polite Form (ます形): Essential for Daily Conversation
ます形
Master the polite form (ます形) - the most commonly used form in everyday Japanese. Learn conjugation rules for all verb types.
The polite form (ます形 - masu-kei) is the backbone of polite Japanese conversation. Essential for JLPT N5, whether you're at work, shopping, or meeting new people, this is the form you'll use most often. It's neutral, respectful, and appropriate in almost any situation.
How to Form the Polite Form(ます形の作り方)
The formation depends on verb type:
| Verb Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Godan | Change う→い + ます | 書く → 書きます |
| Ichidan | Drop る + ます | 食べる → 食べます |
| する | → します | する → します |
| くる | → きます | くる → きます |
Godan Verb Conjugation(五段動詞の活用)
For godan verbs, change the final う-sound to the corresponding い-sound, then add ます. Here's the stem + suffix breakdown:
| Verb | Stem | + | い-row | + | ます | = | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 書く | か | + | き | + | ます | = | かきます |
| 読む | よ | + | み | + | ます | = | よみます |
| 話す | はな | + | し | + | ます | = | はなします |
| 買う | か | + | い | + | ます | = | かいます |
| 待つ | ま | + | ち | + | ます | = | まちます |
| 泳ぐ | およ | + | ぎ | + | ます | = | およぎます |
The い-row is called the 連用形 (ren'yō-kei) or "continuative form" - it's the base for many conjugations!
When to Use Polite Form(ます形の使い方)
Use the polite form:
- With strangers: Shop clerks, new acquaintances
- At work: Colleagues, superiors
- In formal situations: Interviews, presentations
- When uncertain: Default to polite when in doubt
Adjectives in Polite Form(形容詞の丁寧形)
Adjectives become polite by adding です:
| Type | Plain | Polite |
|---|---|---|
| い-adjective | 高い | 高いです |
| な-adjective | 静かだ | 静かです |
✓Summary
The polite form essentials:
- Godan: Change う→い + ます
- Ichidan: Drop る + ます
- Default form for polite conversation
- Add です to adjectives for politeness
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