polite negative present/future

Beginner

10-15 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Polite negative form of verbs in present or future tense.

[Verb stem] + ません

食べません。

Tabemasen.

I don't eat (it) / I won't eat (it).

行きません。

Ikimasen.

I don't go / I won't go.

Past negative is ませんでした not ませんだった.

ます (masu)

polite present/future tense

ました (mashita)

polite past tense

ませんでした (masen deshita)

polite negative past tense

です/だ

to be (copula)

は (wa)

topic marker

が (ga)

subject marker

を (wo)

direct object marker

Practice declining things politely: コーヒーを飲みません (I don't drink coffee).

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 15

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