〜ます

N5

〜ます

-masu

Polite present/future

N5

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Explanation

The 〜ます form is the polite verb ending used in everyday conversation with people you do not know well. It is the standard form taught at N5. This form covers both present and future time, so “行きます” can mean “I go” or “I will go,” depending on context. Key points: • Add 〜ます to a verb stem to make it polite • The same form is used for present and future • It is safe for formal or polite situations • Often used with particles like を, に, で For example, “食べます” means “(I) eat” or “(I) will eat.” The time is usually clear from context or a time word like きょう (today) or あした (tomorrow). To make 〜ます, you change the verb to its polite stem and add ます. For beginners, it is enough to memorize common verbs in their ます form: 行きます, 来ます, 食べます, 見ます. Later you will learn how to form it for each verb group. Using 〜ます immediately makes your Japanese sound polite and natural. Start your sentences with a topic (like 私は) or a time word, then use the ます verb at the end. This is the core pattern for polite speech.

Structure

Pattern
Verb-stem + ます
Verb-stemPolite verb stem
Examples: 行き, 食べ, 読み, 勉強し
ますPolite present/future ending
Examples: ます

Examples

Example 1
私は毎日日本語を勉強します。
Watashi wa mainichi nihongo o benkyou shimasu.
I study Japanese every day.
Breakdown
I, me
topic marker
毎日every day
日本語Japanese language
object marker
勉強しますstudy (polite)
Note: Present habit
Example 2
明日学校へ行きます。
Ashita gakkou e ikimasu.
I will go to school tomorrow.
Breakdown
明日tomorrow
学校school
direction marker
行きますgo (polite)
Note: Future action with time word
Example 3
昼ご飯を食べます。
Hirugohan o tabemasu.
I eat lunch.
Breakdown
昼ご飯lunch
object marker
食べますeat (polite)
Note: Simple present
Example 4
友だちと映画を見ます。
Tomodachi to eiga o mimasu.
I watch a movie with a friend.
Breakdown
友だちfriend
with
映画movie
object marker
見ますwatch (polite)
Note: Action with a partner

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