Japanese verbs……in my first post on verbs I introduced you to the plain form verbs, also known as the dictionary form verb. Now, allow me to introduce “masu”. Masu form verbs differ to dictionary form verbs in that the masu form is used in formal situations. As a general rule the dictionary form is used when speaking to family and close friends. The “masu” form is used at the workplace, when meeting people for the first time and when speaking to “important” people. The “masu” form could be called the polite form.
Japanese verbs fall into three groups based on the plain/dictionary form.
In this lesson you will learn “dictionary” form and “masu” form of present tense affirmative verbs. Having to learn these two fundamental verb forms is a challenge and, unfortunately this is just the beginning. There are very difficult verbs forms ahead that will deprive of sleep if you let the frustration of trying to understand them get to you. I strongly recommend you put a great deal of your study time into learning verbs.
It is probably best to start with irregular verbs because there are only two and you’ll use them daily.?Here they are;
Irregular Verbs
It is probably best to start with irregular verbs because there are only two and you’ll use them daily.?Here they are;
Ru-ending Verbs
Ru-ending verbs can be broken in two groups; eru-ending and iru ending verbs. Knowing this will help you identify Ru-ending verbs form U-ending verbs. Some U-ending verbs do end with “ru” such as the verb “noru”(ride) and can confuse students.The masu form is made by dropping the ru and adding masu. Pretty easy stuff!
U-ending Verbs
U-ending verbs are a little more complicated and require more attention. The way the verbs conjugate depends on the vowel or consonant that proceeds the u. When conjugating to the “masu” form just drop the u and add “imasu”. Have a careful look at the chart;
In my years of studying Japanese and living in Japan I have had a never ending battle with Japanese verbs. In my experience mastering verbs is one of the hardest aspects of learning the Japanese language. I first realized this when I came to work in Japan for the first time. Having studied the basic Japanese I thought it would take me no time before I would be speaking to the locals. Greetings and small talk weren’t a problem, but listening and trying to understand Japanese having conversations was something else.
Learn Japanese Verbs
In colloquial speech Japanese can almost have entire conversations just using verbs if the subject and object is understood by the speaker and listener. Understanding who or what is being spoken about can be very confusing unless you know and understand verb forms. Learning verbs is difficult because there are so many conjugations. Not having a solid grounding in “verb conjugation” will definitely compromise your ability to speak, read and understand Japanese. Needless to say, it is very important that you learn Japanese verbs.
The hardest hurdle with understanding Japanese conversation is the ambiguity or vagueness of verbs. Japanese verbs have no plural form, and correspondingly, verbs do not inflect for number. For example, this phrase “Hon wo Kaimashita” could mean I bought a book or I bought some books. We can’t determine the number.
Japanese verbs also do not inflect for person. So the verb “iku” to go could mean “I go”, “I will go”, “I am going “, “shall we go”, “will you go”, or “they will go”. Also, in impolite speech a single verb can be a “asked” as a question. Although, this does mean you have less to study or worry about say compared to French or German, understanding or knowing what is being spoken about becomes difficult with complex verbs.
Japanese Verbs – Lesson 1
Speaking Japanese is a challenge, like an endless battle with small victories and many defeats. However, learning Japanese is stimulating and incredibly rewarding. The best way to start speaking Japanese quickly is to learn verbs. In fact the most important thing you can do in order to speak Japanese is start learning verbs. If you can understand verbs you will make great progress with your Japanese in a short period of time. The reason why is in real everyday spoken conversation Japanese speakers more often than not drop the subject and object of sentences leaving just the verb. In colloquial speech Japanese can almost have entire conversations just using verbs if the subject and object is understood by both the speaker and listener. Understanding who or what is being spoken about can be very confusing unless you know and understand verb forms.
Japanese verbs are complex requiring a lot of practice and study to understand them in written Japanese and spoken Japanese. Learning verbs is difficult because there are so many conjugations. However, Japanese verbs don’t have forms to indicate gender, number or person (first, second or third person). This is good as a beginner, but as you progress you will need to work out from context what is being spoken about when among native speakers.
I have noticed that a lot of confirmation is involved in Japanese conversations. A speaker will say something a bit ambiguous or vague and the listener will have to ask a few questions to get to the point of what the speaker wants to say. You may find this frustrating and illogical as you progress with Japanese. By culture Japanese like to avoid confrontation and don’t want to cause trouble for people . As a result they are very careful about what they say and how they say things. To westerners it does feel somewhat childish and time wasting, but it is something you have to adapt to. So you must also learn that you need a great deal of patience with not only learning the Japanese language, but with actually speaking to Japanese.
So here are two tips for learning to speak Japanese; start learning verbs and understand that there is an art to Japanese conversation that requires patience and cultural understanding on your part. Also, be aware that the Japanese language is changing and evolving or some might say desintergrating. What you might be learning in a text book may not be useful in Japan. The way young people speak is adding a new aspect to the language. I relate it to a verbal representation of the booming pop cultures of Japan. It is amazing how quickly Japanese come up with new words and expressions. More for you to learn.
