tiempos verbales japoneses

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:


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]


Plain Affirmative


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:


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]



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:


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.



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:


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".


Plain Affirmative


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


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".


Plain Affirmative


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)


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]


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


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]



Polite Negative


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]


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:


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".


Plain Affirmative


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:


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".


Plain Affirmative


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]


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 ...)


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]


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.


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]


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]


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]


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

tiempos verbales japoneses

Documents