polite present/future tense

Beginner

15-20 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Polite form of verbs. Indicates present habitual action or future action.

[Verb stem] + ます

毎日勉強します。

Mainichi benkyou shimasu.

I study every day.

明日行きます。

Ashita ikimasu.

I will go tomorrow.

ます form is the same for present and future. Context determines meaning.

ました (mashita)

polite past tense

ません (masen)

polite negative present/future

です/だ

to be (copula)

は (wa)

topic marker

が (ga)

subject marker

を (wo)

direct object marker

Convert dictionary form verbs to ます form: 食べる→食べます, 行く→行きます, する→します.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 15

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