Notes on Making the Polite Form of Verbs in Japanese

Introduction

• Focus on how to make the polite form of Japanese verbs.
• Starting with Group 1 verbs.
• Importance of Hiragana chart for understanding endings.

Group 1 Verbs

• Key Endings: 9 possible endings located on the U row.
• Polite Form: Add "MASU" after changing the U ending to an I ending.
• Example 1:
  • Verb: NOMU (to drink)
  • Ending: MU (change MU to MI)
  • Polite Form: NOMIMASU
• Example 2:
  • Verb: TORU (to take)
  • Ending: RU (change RU to RI)
  • Polite Form: TORIMASU
• Example 3:
  • Verb: HANASU (to talk)
  • Ending: SU (change SU to SHI)
  • Polite Form: HANASHIMASU
• Importance of Hiragana: Necessary for correct conjugation.

Group 2 Verbs

• Key Feature: Always end with RU preceded by E or I.
• Conjugation: Remove RU and add MASU.
• Example:
  • Verb: MIRU (to look)
  • Polite Form: MIMASU

Group 3 Verbs (Irregular)

• Key Irregular Verbs: SURU (to do) and KURU (to come).
• Conjugation Changes:
  • SURU → SHI
  • KURU → KI
• Example:
  • Verb: BENKYO SURU (to study)
  • Polite Form: BENKYO SHIMASU

Summary of Conjugation Rules

• Group 1: Change U ending to I ending, then add MASU.
• Group 2: Remove ending RU and add MASU.
• Group 3: SURU becomes SHI; KURU becomes KI, then add MASU.

Polite Negative Form

• Rule: Add MASEN instead of MASU.
• Example:
  • WAKARU (to understand)
  • Negative Form: WAKARIMASEN

Past Form

• Rule: Add MASHITA instead of MASU.
• Example:
  • WAKARU → WAKARIMASHITA (I understood)

Negative Past Form

• Rule: Add MASEN DESHITA instead of MASU.
• Example:
  • WAKARU → WAKARIMASEN DESHITA (I didn't understand)

Suggestive Form

• Rule: Add MASHO instead of MASU.
• Example:
  • YASUMU (to rest) → YASUMIMASHO (let's rest)

Conclusion

• Mastering these rules allows for versatile use of polite forms in Japanese.
• For further assistance, visit KANJI-Link.com.