ます
masuA polite verb ending used to form the polite present/future tense in Japanese, indicating respect and formality.
私は勉強します。
I will study.
彼は日本語を話します。
He speaks Japanese.
The 'ます' form is used in formal and polite contexts, such as business settings, customer service, and formal writing. It is the standard polite verb ending in Japanese.
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💡Pro Tip
Polite vs. Plain Forms
The 'ます' form is the polite form of a verb, while the plain form (e.g., '食べる' for '食べます') is used in informal contexts. Always use the 'ます' form in formal situations.
⚡Gold Rule
Verb Conjugation
To form the 'ます' form of a verb, replace the final 'る' of the plain form with 'ます' (e.g., '食べる' becomes '食べます'). For verbs that do not end in 'る', the 'ます' form is formed by adding 'ます' to the verb stem (e.g., '書く' becomes '書きます').
📖Word Origin
Derived from the classical Japanese verb ending 'ます' (ます), which was originally used to indicate respect and politeness. Over time, it became the standard polite verb ending in modern Japanese.
📝Usage Notes
The 'ます' form is used in formal and polite contexts, such as business settings, customer service, and formal writing. It is the standard polite verb ending in Japanese. The plain form (e.g., '食べる' for '食べます') is used in informal contexts, such as conversations with friends and family.