Learning a new language can be both a thrilling and challenging endeavor. Japanese, in particular, has a unique structure and set of grammatical rules that can seem daunting at first. One of the most fundamental aspects of mastering Japanese is understanding its verb tenses. Unlike English, where we have various tenses such as past, present, and future, Japanese verb tenses operate a bit differently. In this article, we’ll delve into the essentials of Japanese verb tenses to help you get a solid grasp on how they work.
Basic Verb Forms
Before we dive into the tenses, it’s crucial to understand that Japanese verbs primarily fall into three categories:
1. **Godan (五段) or Group I Verbs:** These verbs end in -u, -tsu, -ru, -mu, -nu, -bu, -ku, -gu, or -su. Examples include 書く (kaku – to write) and 話す (hanasu – to speak).
2. **Ichidan (一段) or Group II Verbs:** These verbs end in -iru or -eru. Examples include 食べる (taberu – to eat) and 見る (miru – to see).
3. **Irregular Verbs:** There are only two primary irregular verbs in Japanese: する (suru – to do) and 来る (kuru – to come).
Dictionary Form (辞書形)
The dictionary form, also known as the plain form, is the form of the verb that you would find in a dictionary. For example, the dictionary form of “to eat” is 食べる (taberu), and “to write” is 書く (kaku).
Present/Future Tense
Japanese does not differentiate between the present and future tenses in the same way that English does. Instead, the context usually clarifies whether an action is happening now or will happen in the future.
Godan Verbs: To form the present/future tense of Godan verbs, you change the final -u to -imasu for the polite form and leave it as-is for the plain form.
– 書く (kaku – to write) becomes 書きます (kakimasu) in the polite form.
Ichidan Verbs: For Ichidan verbs, you drop the -ru and add -masu for the polite form.
– 食べる (taberu – to eat) becomes 食べます (tabemasu) in the polite form.
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru – to do) becomes します (shimasu) in the polite form.
– 来る (kuru – to come) becomes 来ます (kimasu) in the polite form.
Past Tense
The past tense in Japanese is formed by modifying the verb ending. Here’s how you do it for each verb category:
Godan Verbs: The past tense is formed by changing the final -u sound to its corresponding -ta form.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書いた (kaita) in the plain form and 書きました (kakimashita) in the polite form.
Ichidan Verbs: For Ichidan verbs, you drop the -ru and add -ta for the plain form and -mashita for the polite form.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べた (tabeta) in the plain form and 食べました (tabemashita) in the polite form.
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes した (shita) in the plain form and しました (shimashita) in the polite form.
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来た (kita) in the plain form and 来ました (kimashita) in the polite form.
Negative Forms
Understanding how to make verbs negative is essential for expressing things you don’t do or didn’t do.
Present/Future Negative:
– Godan Verbs: Change the -u to -anai for the plain form and -imasen for the polite form.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書かない (kakanai) in the plain form and 書きません (kakimasen) in the polite form.
– Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -nai for the plain form and -masen for the polite form.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べない (tabenai) in the plain form and 食べません (tabemasen) in the polite form.
– Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes しない (shinai) in the plain form and しません (shimasen) in the polite form.
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来ない (konai) in the plain form and 来ません (kimasen) in the polite form.
Past Negative:
– Godan Verbs: Change the -u to -anakatta for the plain form and -imasen deshita for the polite form.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書かなかった (kakanakatta) in the plain form and 書きませんでした (kakimasen deshita) in the polite form.
– Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -nakatta for the plain form and -masen deshita for the polite form.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べなかった (tabenakatta) in the plain form and 食べませんでした (tabemasen deshita) in the polite form.
– Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes しなかった (shinakatta) in the plain form and しませんでした (shimasen deshita) in the polite form.
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来なかった (konakatta) in the plain form and 来ませんでした (kimasen deshita) in the polite form.
Te-Form (て形)
The te-form is incredibly versatile and is used in a variety of grammatical constructions, such as making requests, connecting sentences, and forming progressive tenses.
Godan Verbs: The te-form varies depending on the ending of the verb:
– Verbs ending in -u, -tsu, -ru: Change to -tte.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書いて (kaite).
– Verbs ending in -mu, -nu, -bu: Change to -nde.
– 読む (yomu) becomes 読んで (yonde).
– Verbs ending in -ku: Change to -ite.
– 聞く (kiku) becomes 聞いて (kiite).
– Verbs ending in -gu: Change to -ide.
– 泳ぐ (oyogu) becomes 泳いで (oyoide).
– Verbs ending in -su: Change to -shite.
– 話す (hanasu) becomes 話して (hanashite).
Ichidan Verbs: Simply drop the -ru and add -te.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べて (tabete).
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes して (shite).
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来て (kite).
Progressive/Continuous Tense
The progressive or continuous tense in Japanese is formed by combining the te-form of a verb with the auxiliary verb いる (iru).
Godan Verbs:
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書いている (kaite iru) in the plain form and 書いています (kaite imasu) in the polite form.
Ichidan Verbs:
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べている (tabete iru) in the plain form and 食べています (tabete imasu) in the polite form.
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes している (shite iru) in the plain form and しています (shite imasu) in the polite form.
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来ている (kite iru) in the plain form and 来ています (kite imasu) in the polite form.
Desire Form (たい形)
Expressing desire, such as wanting to do something, is a significant part of communication. In Japanese, this is done by using the tai-form.
Godan Verbs: Change the final -u to -i and add -tai.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書きたい (kakitai).
Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -tai.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べたい (tabetai).
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes したい (shitai).
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来たい (kitai).
Volitional Form (意志形)
The volitional form is used to express intention or suggestion, similar to “let’s” in English.
Godan Verbs: Change the final -u to -ou.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書こう (kakou).
Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -you.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べよう (tabeyou).
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes しよう (shiyou).
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来よう (koyou).
Conditional Form (仮定形)
To express conditional statements (if), Japanese uses the conditional form.
Godan Verbs: Change the final -u to -eba.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書けば (kakeba).
Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -reba.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べれば (tabereba).
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes すれば (sureba).
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来れば (kureba).
Imperative Form (命令形)
The imperative form is used for giving commands.
Godan Verbs: Change the final -u to -e.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書け (kake).
Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -ro.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べろ (tabero).
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes しろ (shiro).
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来い (koi).
Potential Form (可能形)
The potential form is used to express the ability to do something.
Godan Verbs: Change the final -u to -eru.
– 書く (kaku) becomes 書ける (kakeru).
Ichidan Verbs: Drop the -ru and add -rareru.
– 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べられる (taberareru).
Irregular Verbs:
– する (suru) becomes できる (dekiru).
– 来る (kuru) becomes 来られる (korareru).
Conclusion
Mastering Japanese verb tenses is a journey that involves understanding various forms and their applications. While it may seem overwhelming at first, practice and exposure will make it easier over time. Remember, the key to learning any language is consistent practice and immersion. Utilize these verb forms in your daily conversations, writing, and reading to become more comfortable with them. Happy learning!
