tiempos verbales japoneses
TRANSCRIPT
Production Rules
1. Nonpast Indicative
Present Indicative
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule [ -stem] [u-stem]
[ -stem] + [i-stem] + masu
[ -stem] + [a-stem] + nai
[ -stem] + [i-stem] + masen
Meaning X [does], X will [do] X doesn't [do], X will not [do]
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
taberu
tabemasu
tabenai
tabemasen
hanasu (to speak)
hanasu
hanashimasu
hanasanai
hanashimasen
aruku (to walk)
aruku
arukimasu
arukanai
arukimasen
oyogu (to swim)
oyogu
oyogimasu
oyoganai
oyogimasen
yobu (to call)
yobu
yobimasu
yobanai
yobimasen
nomu (to drink)
nomu
nomimasu
nomanai
nomimasen
shinu (to die)
shinu
shinimasu
shinanai
shinimasen
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuru
tsukurimasu
tsukuranai
tsukurimasen
matsu (to wait)
matsu
machimasu
matanai
machimasen
arau (to wash)
arau
araimasu
arawanai
araimasen
Usage Notes:
1. This form is generally used to express habitual action, or future action. It can be used generally where the present indicative or future tense is used in English.
2. Be sure to draw the distinction between habitual and progressive action. "I am eating" (that is, "I am in the process of eating right now") is expressed by the progressive form in Japanese, as in English. Many verbs in Japanese, however, also have an "instantaneous" quality about them, and in those cases the Japanese conceptualize a current condition as the progressive continuation of a previous change of state. Thus "I know" is not "shiru", but "shitte iru". That is, at some point in the past, I changed state from not knowing something to having learned about it, and I progressively continue to be in that state. Quite a few verbs in Japanese are like this.
2. Past Indicative
Past Indicative
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule [ -stem] [ta-stem]
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + mashita
[ -stem] +
[a-stem] + nakatta
[ -stem] + &
[i-stem] + masen & deshita
Meaning X [did] X didn't [do]
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabeta
tabemashita
tabenakatta
tabemasen deshita
hanasu (to speak)
hanashita
hanashimashita
hanasanakatta
hanashimasen deshita
aruku (to walk)
aruita
arukimashita
arukanakatta
arukimasen deshita
oyogu (to swim)
oyoida
oyogimashita
oyoganakatta
oyogimasen deshita
yobu (to call)
yonda
yobimashita
yobanakatta
yobimasen deshita
nomu (to drink) nonda nomimashita nomanakatta
nomimasen deshita
shinu (to die)
shinda
shinimashita
shinanakatta
shinimasen deshita
tsukuru (to make)
tsukutta
tsukurimashita
tsukuranakatta
tsukurimasen deshita
matsu (to wait)
matta
machimashita
matanakatta
machimasen deshita
arau (to wash)
aratta
araimashita
arawanakatta
araimasen deshita
3. Volitional
Volitional
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule [ -stem] [o-stem]
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + mashou
Ichidan: [root] +
[root] + mai
Godan: [ -stem] +
[u-stem] + mai
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + masumai
Meaning I will [do]; Let's [do] I will not [do]
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabeyou
tabemashou
tabemai
tabemasumai
hanasu (to speak)
hanasou
hanashimashou
hanasumai
hanashimasumai
aruku (to walk)
arukou
arukimashou
arukumai
arukimasumai
oyogu (to swim)
oyogou
oyogimashou
oyogumai
oyogimasumai
yobu (to call)
yobou
yobimashou
yobumai
yobimasumai
nomu (to drink)
nomou
nomimashou
nomumai
nomimasumai
shinu (to die)
shinou
shinimashou
shinumai
shinimasumai
tsukuru (to make)
tsukurou
tsukurimashou
tsukurumai
tsukurimasumai
matsu (to wait)
matou
machimashou
matsumai
machimasumai
arau (to wash)
araou
araimashou
araumai
araimasumai
Usage Notes:
The negative forms of the volitional are relatively rare, although they are occasionally heard. They convey a very strong intention not to do something, or intention to not let something happen.
The use of this form as a presumptive ("probably [does]") is outmoded. The affirmative forms are used as either an expression of personal volition such as "I think I'll eat something", or "I will go now", or an inclusive command/suggestion of the "let's do it" variety.
4. Past Volitional
Past Volitional (See Usage Notes)
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule
[ -stem] +
[ta-stem] + rou
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + mashitarou
[ -stem] +
[a-stem] + nakattarou
[ -stem] + &
[i-stem] + masen & deshitarou
Meaning probably [did]; probably has/had [done]
probably didn't [do]; probably hasn't/hadn't [done]
Notice that all of these are the Past Indicative with "-rou" tacked onto the end.
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabetarou
tabemashitarou tabenakattarou
tabemasen deshitarou
hanasu (to speak)
hanashitarou
hanashimashitarou
hanasanakattarou
hanashimasen deshitarou
aruku (to walk)
aruitarou
arukimashitarou
arukanakattarou
arukimasen deshitarou
oyogu (to swim)
oyoidarou
oyogimashitarou
oyoganakattarou
oyogimasen deshitarou
yobu (to call)
yondarou
yobimashitarou
yobanakattarou
yobimasen deshitarou
nomu (to drink)
nondarou
nomimashitarou
nomanakattarou
nomimasen deshitarou
shinu (to die)
shindarou
shinimashitarou
shinanakattarou
shinimasen deshitarou
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuttarou
tsukurimashitarou
tsukuranakattarou
tsukurimasen deshitarou
matsu (to wait)
mattarou
machimashitarou
matanakattarou
machimasen deshitarou
arau (to wash)
arattarou
araimashitarou
arawanakattarou
araimasen deshitarou
Usage Notes:
These forms are actually not a volitional, but an outdated presumptive. They are the past counterparts of the volitional forms, however. They are exceedingly rare, and "deshitarou" may not even be commonly recognized. Forget you ever even saw them, and learn the forms in the Past Presumptive section instead.
5. Presumptive
Presumptive
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule
[ -stem] &
[u-stem] & darou
[ -stem] &
[u-stem] & deshou
[ -stem] + &
[a-stem] + nai & darou
[ -stem] + &
[a-stem] + nai & deshou
Meaning X probably [does], X probably will [do]
X probably doesn't [do], X probably won't [do]
Notice that these are the plain forms of the nonpast indicative with the plain presumptive auxiliary "darou" or the polite presumptive auxiliary "deshou".
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
taberu darou
taberu deshou
tabenai darou
tabenai deshou
hanasu (to speak)
hanasu darou
hanasu deshou
hanasanai darou
hanasanai deshou
aruku (to walk)
aruku darou
aruku deshou
arukanai darou
arukanai deshou
oyogu (to swim)
oyogu darou
oyogu deshou
oyoganai darou
oyoganai deshou
yobu (to call)
yobu darou
yobu deshou
yobanai darou
yobanai deshou
nomu (to drink)
nomu darou
nomu deshou
nomanai darou nomanai deshou
shinu (to die)
shinu darou
shinu deshou
shinanai darou
shinanai deshou
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuru darou
tsukuru deshou
tsukuranai darou
tsukuranai deshou
matsu (to wait)
matsu darou
matsu deshou
matanai darou
matanai deshou
arau (to wash)
arau darou
arau deshou
arawanai darou
arawanai deshou
6. Past Presumptive
Past Presumptive
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule
[ -stem] &
[ta-stem] & darou
[ -stem] &
[ta-stem] & deshou
[ -stem] + &
[a-stem] + nakatta & darou
[ -stem] + &
[a-stem] + nakatta & deshou
Meaning X probably [did], X probably has/had [done]
X probably didn't [do], X probably hasn't/hadn't [done]
Notice that these are the plain forms of the past indicative with the plain presumptive auxiliary "darou" or the polite presumptive auxiliary "deshou".
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabeta darou
tabeta deshou
tabenakatta darou
tabenakatta deshou
hanasu (to speak)
hanashita darou
hanashita
hanasanakatta
hanasanakatta
deshou darou deshou
aruku (to walk)
aruita darou
aruita deshou
arukanakatta darou
arukanakatta deshou
oyogu (to swim)
oyoida darou
oyoida deshou
oyoganakatta darou
oyoganakatta deshou
yobu (to call)
yonda darou
yonda deshou
yobanakatta darou
yobanakatta deshou
nomu (to drink)
nonda darou
nonda deshou
nomanakatta darou
nomanakatta deshou
shinu (to die)
shinda darou
shinda deshou
shinanakatta darou
shinanakatta deshou
tsukuru (to make)
tsukutta darou
tsukutta deshou
tsukuranakatta darou
tsukuranakatta deshou
matsu (to wait)
matta darou
matta deshou
matanakatta darou
matanakatta deshou
arau (to wash)
aratta darou
aratta deshou
arawanakatta darou
arawanakatta deshou
7. Continuative/(-te Form)
Continuative / -te Form
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative
1st Plain Negative
2nd Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule [ -stem] [te-stem]
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + mashite
[ -stem] + &
[a-stem] + nai & de
[ -stem] +
[a-stem] + nakute
[ -stem] + &
[i-stem] + masen & de
Meaning [doing] (see notes) not [doing] (see notes)
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative
1st Plain Negative
2nd Plain Negative
Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabete
tabemashite
tabenai de
tabenakute
tabemasen de
hanasu (to speak)
hanashite
hanashimashite
hanasanai de
hanasanakute
hanashimasen de
aruku (to walk)
aruite
arukimashite
arukanai de
arukanakute
arukimasen de
oyogu (to swim)
oyoide
oyogimashite
oyoganai de
oyoganakute
oyogimasen de
yobu (to call)
yonde
yobimashite
yobanai de
yobanakute
yobimasen de
nomu (to drink)
nonde
nomimashite
nomanai de
nomanakute
nomimasen de
shinu (to die)
shinde
shinimashite
shinanai de
shinanakute
shinimasen de
tsukuru (to make)
tsukutte
tsukurimashite
tsukuranai de
tsukuranakute
tsukurimasen de
matsu (to wait)
matte
machimashite
matanai de
matanakute
machimasen de
arau (to wash)
aratte
araimashite
arawanai de
arawanakute
araimasen de
Usage Notes:
The -te form has many uses in Japanese, but it is fundamentally an incomplete form on its own. Often it is used alone where "kudasai" would be expected to follow to make a request, or because of its continuative use, used to end a sentence where the speaker is really
leaving the thought trailing off at the end. These are grammatically incomplete. The -te form requires a main verb to complete its meaning.
8. Imperative
Imperative
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Affirmative Polite Negative
Rule
Ichidan: [root] +
[root] + ro
Ichidan: [root] +
[root] + yo
Godan: [ -stem] [e-stem]
[ -stem] &
[u-stem] & na
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + nasai
[ -stem] + &
[i-stem] + nasaru & na
Meaning [do]! don't [do]! [do] don't [do]
Inflection Examples:
Abrupt Affirmative
Abrupt Negative
Plain Affirmative Plain Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabero / tabeyo
taberu na
tabenasai
tabenasaru na
hanasu (to speak)
hanase
hanasu na
hanashinasai
hanashinarasu na
aruku (to walk)
aruke
aruku na
arukinasai
arukinasaru na
oyogu (to swim)
oyoge
oyogu na
oyoginasai
oyoginasaru na
yobu (to call)
yobe
yobu na
yobinasai
yobinasaru na
nomu (to drink)
nome
nomu na
nominasai
nominasaru na
shinu (to die)
shine
shinu na
shininasai
shininasaru na
tsukuru (to
tsukure
tsukuru na
tsukurinasai
tsukurinasaru na
make)
matsu (to wait)
mate
matsu na
machinasai
machinasaru na
arau (to wash)
arae
arau na
arainasai
arainarasu na
Usage Notes:
For imperatives, "polite" is a relative term. Note that you cannot politely command someone of equal or higher status. The plain forms here are really quite abrupt, apt to be heard in emergency situations or when emotions are running high, but they might also be encountered from a clear superior to an inferior. The "polite" forms also generally require a superior-inferior relationship, but are more gentle, and would be used, for instance, from a mother to her child, or from an older sibling to a younger one. There are exceptions to these restrictions, especially in emotional situations, or differences in what is tolerated from intimates.
In any polite conversation, if an imperative is called for, the request forms should be used instead.
Note that the ichidan imperative ending in -yo is an older, more literary form not likely to be heard in conversation. It might be found in textbooks (instructions for exercises, for example), on tests, and so forth.
9. Request
Request (Polite "Imperative")
Production Rules:
Polite Affirmative (1)
Polite Negative
Polite Affirmative (2)
Honorific Affirmative
Honorific Negative
Rule
[ -stem] &
[te-stem] & kudasai
[ -stem] + &
[a-stem] + nai & de kudasai
+ [ -stem] & o + [i-stem] & kudasai
+ [ -stem] & o + [i-stem] & nasaimase
+ [ -stem] &
o + [i-stem] & nasaimasu na
Meaning please [do] please don't [do] please [do] please [do] please don't
[do]
Inflection Examples:
Polite Affirmative (1)
Polite Negative
Polite Affirmative (2)
Honorific Affirmative
Honorific Negative
kaeru (to change)
kaete kudasai
kaenai de kudasai
okae kudasai
okae nasaimase
okae nasaimasu na
hanasu (to speak)
hanashite kudasai
hanasanai de kudasai
ohanashi kudasai
ohanashi nasaimase
ohanashi nasaimasu na
aruku (to walk)
aruite kudasai
arukanai de kudasai
oaruki kudasai
oaruki nasaimase
oaruki nasaimasu na
oyogu (to swim)
oyoide kudasai
oyoganai de kudasai
ooyogi kudasai
ooyogi nasaimase
ooyogi nasaimasu na
yobu (to call)
yonde kudasai
yobanai de kudasai
oyobi kudasai
oyobi nasaimase
oyobi nasaimasu na
nomu (to drink)
nonde kudasai
nomanai de kudasai
onomi kudasai
onomi nasaimase
onomi nasaimasu na
shinu (to die)*
shinde kudasai
shinanai de kudasai
oshini kudasai
N/A oshini nasaimasu na
tsukuru (to make)
tsukutte kudasai
tsukuranai de kudasai
otsukuri kudasai
otsukuri nasaimase
otsukuri nasaimasu na
matsu (to wait)
matte kudasai
matanai de kudasai
omachi kudasai
omachi nasaimase
omachi nasaimasu na
arau (to wash)
aratte kudasai
arawanai de kudasai
oarai kudasai
oarai nasaimase
oarai nasaimasu na
* It is difficult to imagine many situations in which a request to die would be considered polite, no matter how flowery the language. Take this as a lesson that it's not just the forms but what you say that matters in being polite. The juxtaposition of the politeness and the nature of the request might make for a funny joke, though.
Usage Notes:
The second polite affirmative case is more polite than the first one, and will frequently be heard from service people.
See the notes about honorific forms in that section. The same warning about exceptions applies. For example, in the case of "nomu" the verb "meshiagaru" might be used instead as "meshiagarimase", or even "meshiagatte kudasai" in the right circumstances.
10. Provisional
Provisional
Production Rules:
Affirmative Negative
Rule [ -stem] + [e-stem] + ba
[ -stem] + [a-stem] + nakereba
Meaning if X [does] if X doesn't [do]
Inflection Examples:
Affirmative Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabereba
tabenakereba
hanasu (to speak)
hanaseba
hanasanakereba
aruku (to walk)
arukeba
arukanakereba
oyogu (to swim)
oyogeba
oyoganakereba
yobu (to call)
yobeba
yobanakereba
nomu (to drink)
nomeba
nomanakereba
shinu (to die)
shineba
shinanakereba
tsukuru (to make)
tsukureba
tsukuranakereba
matsu (to wait)
mateba
matanakereba
arau (to wash) araeba arawanakereba
11. Conditional
Conditional
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule [ -stem] + [ta-stem] + ra
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + mashitara
[ -stem] +
[a-stem] + nakattara
[ -stem] + &
[i-stem] + masen & deshitara
Meaning if X were to [do]; when X [does] if X weren't to [do]; when X doesn't [do]
Notice that these forms are composed of the past indicative plus "-ra".
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabetara
tabemashitara
tabenakattara
tabemasen deshitara
hanasu (to speak)
hanashitara
hanashimashitara
hanasanakattara
hanashimasen deshitara
aruku (to walk)
aruitara
arukimashitara
arukanakattara
arukimasen deshitara
oyogu (to swim)
oyoidara
oyogimashitara
oyoganakattara
oyogimasen deshitara
yobu (to call)
yondara
yobimashitara
yobanakattara
yobimasen deshitara
nomu (to drink)
nondara
nomimashitara
nomanakattara
nomimasen
deshitara
shinu (to die)
shindara
shinimashitara
shinanakattara
shinimasen deshitara
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuttara
tsukurimashitara
tsukuranakattara
tsukurimasen deshitara
matsu (to wait)
mattara
machimashitara
matanakattara
machimasen deshitara
arau (to wash)
arattara
araimashitara
arawanakattara
araimasen deshitara
12. Alternative
Alternative
Production Rules:
Plain Affirmative Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
Rule [ -stem] + [ta-stem] + ri
[ -stem] +
[i-stem] + mashitari
[ -stem] +
[a-stem] + nakattari
[ -stem] + &
[i-stem] + masen & deshitari
Meaning [doing] and ...; things like [doing] [no info]
Notice that these forms are composed of the past indicative plus "-ri".
Inflection Examples:
Plain Affirmative
Polite Affirmative Plain Negative Polite Negative
taberu (to eat)
tabetari
tabemashitari
tabenakattari
tabemasen deshitari
hanasu (to speak)
hanashitari
hanashimashitari
hanasanakattari
hanashimasen
deshitari
aruku (to walk)
aruitari
arukimashitari
arukanakattari
arukimasen deshitari
oyogu (to swim)
oyoidari
oyogimashitari
oyoganakattari
oyogimasen deshitari
yobu (to call)
yondari
yobimashitari
yobanakattari
yobimasen deshitari
nomu (to drink)
nondari
nomimashitari
nomanakattari
nomimasen deshitari
shinu (to die)
shindari
shinimashitari
shinanakattari
shinimasen deshitari
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuttari
tsukurimashitari
tsukuranakattari
tsukurimasen deshitari
matsu (to wait)
mattari
machimashitari
matanakattari
machimasen deshitari
arau (to wash)
arattari
araimashitari
arawanakattari
araimasen deshitari
Usage Notes: I'm only familiar with the use of the affirmative, plain form of this inflection. It is used to chain together an incomplete list of things the speaker does, and the final element of the list is followed by a form of the verb "suru", the inflection of which gives the timeframe (past, progressive, future). This construction would be used to translate "At camp this summer I did things like hike in the woods, boat on the lake, and carve wooden statues."
Usage Examples:
terebi mitari, hon yondari, tomodachi to asondari shite imasu. I'm doing things like watching television, reading books, and playing with friends.
13. Potential
Potential
Production Rules:
Rule
Ichidan: [root] + [root] + rareru
Godan: [ -stem] + [e-stem] + ru
Meaning be able to [do]; can [do]
Inflection Examples:
taberu (to eat)
taberareru
hanasu (to speak)
hanaseru
aruku (to walk)
arukeru
oyogu (to swim)
oyogeru
yobu (to call)
yoberu
nomu (to drink)
nomeru
shinu (to die)
shineru
tsukuru (to make)
tsukureru
matsu (to wait)
materu
arau (to wash)
araeru
Usage Notes: Conjugating to the potential form results in the creation of a new ichidan verb (even if the starting verb was godan). This resulting verb can be conjugated to give negatives, past tenses, presumptives, provisionals, polite forms, etc., just as any other ichidan verb. Of course, you must be careful, as there are conjugations that wouldn't make logical sense for a verb in the potential form.
There is a colloquial form of the potential for ichidan verbs only whose rule is [root] + reru. For "taberu", this would result in "tabereru". In some circles, using it may be considered "sloppy" speech habits, though.
14. Passive/Respectful Expression
Passive or Respectful Expression
Production Rules:
Rule
Ichidan: [root] + [root] + rareru
Godan: [ -stem] + [a-stem] + reru
Meaning is [done] (by ...); will be [done] (by ...)
Inflection Examples:
taberu (to eat)
taberareru
hanasu (to speak)
hanasareru
aruku (to walk)
arukareru
oyogu (to swim)
oyogareru
yobu (to call)
yobareru
nomu (to drink)
nomareru
shinu (to die)
shinareru
tsukuru (to make)
tsukurareru
matsu (to wait)
matareru
arau (to wash)
arawareru
Usage Notes:
Conjugating to the passive form results in the creation of a new ichidan verb (even if the starting verb was godan). This resulting verb can be conjugated to give negatives, past tenses, presumptives, provisionals, polite forms, etc., just as any other ichidan verb. Of course, you must be careful, as there are conjugations that wouldn't make logical sense for a passive verb.
There are two types of passive in Japanese. One form is similar in use to English and follows this pattern: [subject] wa [agent] ni [transitive verb in passive form]. In this sentence pattern, the subject marked by "wa" ( ) is the recipient of the passive action which is taken by the agent, for instance: kono keeki ha amerikajin ni yoku taberarete iru. This cake is often eaten by Americans.
Japanese has another kind of passive which conveys a notion of misfortune occurring to the subject. It is a form which does not directly correspond to anything in English grammar. You can distinguish it from the other case because it either uses a transitive verb which takes an object, or else uses an intransitive verb. Neither is possible for equivalent verbs in English. For a transitive verb, the pattern is: [subject] wa [agent] ni [direct object] wo [transitive verb in passive form]. For example: watashi wa inu ni te wo kamareta. My hand was bitten by a dog. For an intransitive verb, the pattern is: [subject] wa [agent] ni [intransitive verb in passive form]. For example: ano ko ha ryoushin ni shinareta. That child had his parents die on him. Because of the misfortune conveyed by these sentences the subject of this kind of passive must almost always be animate. To use an inanimate subject almost causes it to become anthropomorphized (if it doesn't sound wrong outright).
The passive form is also used in place of the root verb as an expression of respect when directly inquiring about (or, less likely, describing) another person's actions or state of being.
One case you may occasionally hear is "oraremasu". The verb "oru" from which this comes is typically the humble form of the verb "iru", which means you would not normally use it to refer to others. In certain dialects, however, "oru" replaces "iru". At the same time, honorific language is hard even native Japanese speakers, so occasionally incongruent or incorrect forms are used. When "oraremasu" is used in this way it is not intended to display humble aspect — the honorific suffix takes over. Foreign learners of Japanese not situated
in dialect regions that use "oru" should generally use "irasshaimasu" when this level of respect is intended, as it is both very polite and cannot be misinterpreted.
15. Causative
Causative
Production Rules:
Rule
Ichidan: [root] + [root] + saseru
Godan: [ -stem] + [a-stem] + seru
Meaning X makes/will make (someone) [do]
Inflection Examples:
taberu (to eat)
tabesaseru
hanasu (to speak)
hanasaseru
aruku (to walk)
arukaseru
oyogu (to swim)
oyogaseru
yobu (to call)
yobaseru
nomu (to drink)
nomaseru
shinu (to die)
shinaseru
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuraseru
matsu (to wait)
mataseru
arau (to wash)
arawaseru
Usage Notes: Conjugating to the causative form results in the creation of a new ichidan verb (even if the starting verb was godan). This resulting verb can be conjugated to give negatives, past tenses, presumptives, provisionals, polite forms, etc., just as any other
ichidan verb. Of course, you must be careful, as there are conjugations that wouldn't make logical sense for a verb in the causative form.
16. Causative Passive
Causative Passive
Production Rules:
Rule
Ichidan: [root] + [root] + saserareru
Godan: [ -stem] + [a-stem] + serareru
Meaning X is made/will be made to [do] (by someone)
Note that this form is simply the result of conjugating the causative form into the passive.
Inflection Examples:
taberu (to eat)
tabesaserareru
hanasu (to speak)
hanasaserareru
aruku (to walk)
arukaserareru
oyogu (to swim)
oyogaserareru
yobu (to call)
yobaserareru
nomu (to drink)
nomaserareru
shinu (to die)
shinaserareru
tsukuru (to make)
tsukuraserareru
matsu (to wait)
mataserareru
arau (to wash)
arawaserareru
Usage Notes:
Conjugating to the causative passive form results in the creation of a new ichidan verb (even if the starting verb was godan). This resulting verb can be conjugated to give negatives, past tenses, presumptives, provisionals, polite forms, etc., just as any other ichidan verb. Of course, you must be careful, as there are conjugations that wouldn't make logical sense for a verb in the causitive passive form.
For ichidans there is a colloquial form whose rule is [root] + sasareru. For "taberu", this results in "tabesasareru". For godans there is a colloquial form whose rule is [a-stem] + sareru. For "nomu", this results in "nomasareru". Note that both these forms result from the contraction of "sera" into "sa".
17. Honorific
Honorific
Production Rules:
Rule + [ -stem] & o + [i-stem] & ni naru
+ [ -stem] & o + [i-stem] & nasaru
Meaning to [do] to [do]
Inflection Examples:
kaeru (to change)
okae ni naru
okae nasaru
hanasu (to speak)
ohanashi ni naru
ohanashi nasaru
aruku (to walk)
oaruki ni naru
oaruki nasaru
oyogu (to swim)
ooyogi ni naru
ooyogi nasaru
yobu (to call)
oyobi ni naru
oyobi nasaru
nomu (to drink)
onomi ni naru
onomi nasaru
shinu (to die)
onakunari ni naru*
onakunari nasaru*
tsukuru (to make)
otsukuri ni naru
otsukuri nasaru
matsu (to wait)
omachi ni naru
omachi nasaru
arau (to wash) oarai ni naru oarai nasaru
* Note different verb "nakunaru" ( ) used in place of "shinu".
Usage Notes:
The above represents common patterns for how verbs are made honorific, but the fact is that keigo is extremely complex. There are many exceptions governing how particular verbs are made honorific, depending on what forms have survived to modern times, as well as particular ways of expressing certain sentiments. For instance, notice that "taberu" could not be used as a model verb here (see below) and that a different verb entirely is used in place of "shinu". It would be advisable to check a reliable source for any particular case.
Honorific forms are used only when a person other than the speaker (or a member of the speaker's group) is the subject. The subject of an honorific, in general, must be a person. This can be the listener or a third party. It elevates the position of the subject to show politeness to that person. This is a separate function from that provided by the "normal polite" forms ("desu", "masu"), which show politeness to the listener regardless of the subject. So for instance, if you're talking to an employee of a client company, you may speak of that company's president honorifically, but you still need the "masu" forms to show politeness to the employee you're speaking to. This remains true even if the subject of the honorific and the listener are the same person.
Note that some verbs have inherently polite or honorific counterparts that are used in their place when an honorific is called for.
Common Examples:
taberu ( ) meshiagaru
nomu ( ) meshiagaru
iku ( ) irassharu
kuru ( ) irassharu
iru ( ) irassharu
iu ( ) ossharu
miru ( ) goran ni naru goran nasaru
shiru ( ) gozonji de irassharu
suru ( ) nasaru
aru ( ) gozaru*
* This is not actually honorific, since it applies only to inanimate things. It is neutrally polite. However, you might use it in situations in which honorific forms are called for.
For verbs that conjugate as noun + "suru", where the noun involved is of Chinese origin (i.e. the "on" reading of the kanji is used), generally the noun is prefixed with "go-" and "suru" becomes "nasaru". For example, "benkyou suru" becomes "gobenkyou nasaru".
18. Humble
Humble
Production Rules:
Rule + [ -stem] & o + [i-stem] & suru
+ [ -stem] & o + [i-stem] & itasu
Meaning to [do] to [do]
Inflection Examples:
kaeru (to change)
okae suru
okae itasu
hanasu (to speak)
ohanashi suru
ohanashi itasu
hiku (to pull)
ohiki suru
ohiki itasu
fusegu (to prevent)
ofusegi suru
ofusegi itasu
yobu (to call)
oyobi suru
oyobi itasu
susumu (to make progress)
osusumi suru
osusumi itasu
shinu (to die)
N/A N/A
tsukuru (to make)
otsukuri suru
otsukuri itasu
matsu (to wait)
omachi suru
omachi itasu
arau (to wash)
oarai suru
oarai itasu
Usage Notes:
The above represents common patterns for how verbs are made humble, but the fact is that keigo is extremely complex. There are many exceptions governing how particular verbs are made humble, depending on what forms have survived to modern times, as well as
particular ways of expressing certain sentiments. For instance, notice that a number of the model verbs used for the other forms could not be used here. It would be advisable to check a reliable source for any particular case.
Humble forms are used only when the speaker, or member of the speaker's in-group is the subject. It lowers the position of the subject in order to show politeness to the listener. This is a separate function from that provided by the "normal polite" forms ("desu", "masu"), which show politeness to the listener regardless of the subject, so these are still generally needed.
Note that some verbs have inherently polite or humble counterparts that are used in their place when a humble form is called for.
Examples:
taberu ( ) itadaku
nomu ( ) itadaku
iku ( ) mairu
kuru ( ) mairu
ageru ( ) sashiageru
iru ( ) oru
iu ( ) mousu kiku ( )
ukagau (to ask) uketamawaru (to hear or listen)
miru ( ) haiken suru
haiken itasu
shiru ( ) zonjiru
suru ( ) itasu
There are numerous exceptions in how particular verbs are made humble, so it would be advisable to check a reliable source for any particular case.
For verbs that conjugate as noun + "suru", where the noun involved is of Chinese origin (i.e. the "on" reading of the kanji is used), generally "itasu" is used in place of "suru". For example, "benkyou suru" becomes "benkyou itasu".
19. Progressive
Progressive
Production Rules:
Rule [ -stem] & [te-stem] & iru
Meaning to be [doing]
Inflection Examples:
taberu (to eat)
tabete iru
hanasu (to speak)
hanashite iru
aruku (to walk)
aruite iru
oyogu (to swim)
oyoide iru
yobu (to call)
yonde iru
nomu (to drink)
nonde iru
shinu (to die)
shinde iru
tsukuru (to make)
tsukutte iru
matsu (to wait)
matte iru
arau (to wash)
aratte iru
Usage Notes: Progressive is used similarly to the English progressive "[to be] doing", as in "I am working now". It can also express habitual action in the same way as the English, for instance "I am studying Japanese" would be "Nihongo wo benkyou shite imasu." Just as in English, it can mean being engaged in the activity right now, or being in the middle of a long-term continuing process, depending on the context.
The progressive is also used to express a continuing state for "instantaneous" verbs such as "shiru". See the usage notes for present indicative. Another example is the verb "aku" used to describe a store as being open. One says "omise ha aite imasu" rather than *"omise ha akimasu" when one means "the store is open". What this literally means is, the store was closed at one point, at an instant of time it was opened, and it continues to be in that state: "the store is in the state of being open", sort of. Note that "aku" is most properly glossed as "to be open". This "to be ..." form of gloss can be a clue that a verb has this instantaneous quality (but does not guarantee it).
The progressive, oddly enough, can also take on a perfective (completed action) meaning under certain circumstances. I'm not entirely certain what those circumstances are.
Verb Expressions and Compound Verbs Constructed Using the -stem (Under Construction)
What I call the "i-stem" in these pages is often called the "masu-stem" in many sources. It's Japanese name is (ren'youkei). Attaching "masu" endings is only one of its uses. Most compound verbs are made by attaching another verb to the i-stem. Such verbs must be learned case by case, but there are also many productive attachments that work with almost any verb.
Note: In case you did not read the overview, note that the "i-stem" does not end in "i" for an ichidan verb ending in "-eru". For instance, the "i-stem" or ren'youkei of "taberu" is "tabe".
Noun Form
This is not a productive rule, but a pattern which happens to occur with many different verbs allowing the formation of a noun in a similar fashion to the -ing ending in English. Check with a dictionary for individual cases of verbs which can form nouns using this pattern.
Rule [ -stem] [i-stem]
Meaning [noun form]
(hajime) beginning, from (hajimeru) to begin (sawagi) uproar, commotion, from (sawagu) to make a disturbance
Occasionally in nouns formed from this pattern, the okurigana is left off when writing the noun:
(hanashi) story, talk, from (hanasu) to speak (kakari) official, person in charge, from (kakaru) to concern, to involve
Continuative
Rule [ -stem] [i-stem]
Meaning [do] and
Forms a continuative similar to, but more literary-sounding than the te-form. The interpreted tense of the continuative is relative to the main verb which completes the sentence.
o-tegami wo yomi, sugu ni henji wo kakimashita. I read your letter and immediately wrote a reply.
"Easy to do"
Rule [ -stem] + [i-stem] + yasui
Meaning easy to [do]
Note that "yasui" as an adjective by itself means "cheap" not "easy" as in "easy to do something". For the latter meaning, the correct adjective is "yasashii".
"Unable/reluctant to do" / "might happen"
Rule [ -stem] + [i-stem] + kaneru
Meaning unable/reluctant to [do]
This is a frequently misused expression, even by native speakers. The reason is that it has the negative connotation of inability or reluctance already built in, so when negated it flips back to a positive meaning again. Still, it will often be negated where the speaker meant the original sense. It's similar to how English speakers say "I could care less" when they mean "I couldn't care less".
In the negative [i-stem] + kanenai it means that there is a danger or possibility that the adverse situation expressed by the verb may come to pass.
See this JeKai entry for a discussion of this expression.
Godan verbs ending in "-eru" or "-iru"
-eru aseru to hurry
azakeru to ridicule
daberu to chatter
eru to carve
eru to choose
eru to ridicule
fukeru to be absorbed in
fuseru to hide, to lie in ambush
haberu to attend on
heru to humble oneself
heru to decrease
hineru to twist
hirugaeru to turn over, to wave
hoderu (???)
hoteru to feel hot
kaeru to return
kaeru to turn over
kaeru to be hatched
kageru to become cloudy
kakeru to soar
keru to kick
kuneru to be crooked
kutugaeru to be overturned
meru to decrease
nameru (???)
neru to temper
neru to refine
neru to knead
nomeru to fall forward
numeru to be slippery
omoneru to flatter
seru to compete
seseru to pick, to play with
shaberu to talk, to chat
shigeru to grow thick
shikeru to be damp, to be moist
shimeru to be wet, to become wet
soberu to lie sprawled
suberu to slip
takeru to act violently
teru to shine
tsumeru (???)
tsuneru to pinch
uneru to undulate
useru to root with the nose
yomigaeru to rise from the dead
-iru aburagiru to be greasy
bibiru to be surprised
chigiru to pledge
chiru to scatter
dojiru to mess up
guchiru to grumble
hairu to enter
hashiru to run
hiru to winnow
hojiru to pick, to dig out
hotobashiru to gush, to spurt
ibiru to torment, to roast
ijiru to fiddle with
ikiru to become sultry
iru to boil down
iru to go in
iru to need
iru to roast
kagiru to limit
kajiru to knaw, to have a smattering of (knowledge)
kiru to become misty
kiru to cut
kishiru to become misty
kishiru to squeak, to creak
kojiru to gouge, to wrench
kubiru to grip, to strangle
kujiru to gouge, to scoop
mairu to come, to go (humble)
majiru to mingle
meiru to feel depressed
mikubiru to underrate, to belittle
minagiru to overflow
mogiru to wrench
mojiru to parody, to twist
mushiru to pluck, to pick, to tear
najiru to rebuke
nejiru to twist
nigiru to grasp
nijiru to edge forward
nonoshiru to abuse verbally
ochiiru to fall, to sink
omoiiru to ponder, to contemplate
omoikiru to resign to fate, to despair
sebiru to pester for
shiru to know
soshiru to slander
sujiru to wriggle
tagiru to seethe
tamagiru to be frightened
tobashiru to gush
tochiru to fumble
yajiru to jeer at
yogiru to pass by, to drop in
yojiru to twist, to distort
yokogiru to cross, to traverse