ます
Polite Verb Endings
Explanation
In many Japanese textbooks, ます is introduced simply as an ending that is added to verbs to make them polite. While this is a practical starting point, exploring what ます is on its own can lead to a more solid understanding of the grammar.
ます is classified as an auxiliary verb, meaning it attaches to another word to alter its function or meaning. When connected to a verb, ます changes it to the polite form. To use ます, you must first conjugate the verb into its conjunctive form and then attach ます to the end.
- 水を飲みます。I will drink water.
- 映画を見ます。I will watch a movie.
- 公園を歩きます。I will walk in the park.
- 新しい本を買います。I will buy a new book.
Because ます is one of the first grammatical structures that students learn, many resources refer to the 'conjunctive form' as the 'ます form' or 'ます stem'. This is often done to make it easier for beginners to remember how to conjugate verbs for this pattern.
You can think of ます as the verb equivalent of です, which is used with nouns and adjectives. Both are auxiliary verbs and serve as the foundation of polite Japanese speech (丁寧語 - teineigo).
Caution
Typically, you will find です and ます at the very end of a sentence. This isn't an absolute rule, however, as they can sometimes precede connecting particles like が ('but') in more formal or polite contexts.
- 今日は晴れですが…It is sunny today, but…
- 私は行きますが…I will go, but…
- あなたが書きます手紙はどこですか。Where is the letter that you write? (Unnatural Japanese, as ます cannot be used when creating a noun phrase)
- 私は毎日手紙を書きます。I write letters every day. (Natural Japanese)
Fun Fact
It is believed that ます evolved from the verb 参らす, meaning 'to humbly do'. Through historical sound changes, it transformed into まらす, then まっす, and eventually the ます we use today. The verb 参る, a humble equivalent of 'to come', remains in common use in modern Japanese.
Fun Fact
You'll frequently encounter ませ, the imperative form of ます, in a number of common set phrases. We will explore this usage in a dedicated lesson on ませ!
Examples
私はパンを買います。
I will buy bread.
そろそろ家に帰ります。
I'll head home soon.
毎朝音楽を聞きます。
I listen to music every morning.
姉が夕食を作ります。
My older sister will make dinner.
ここで友達を待ちます。
I will wait for my friend here.
会議は五時に終わります。
The meeting ends at 5 o'clock.
週末に本を読みます。
I read books on the weekend.
宿題を手伝います。
I will help with the homework.
今日は仕事を休みます。
I will take a day off from work today.
後でメールを送ります。
I will send an email later.
先生が生徒に日本語を教えます。
The teacher teaches Japanese to the students.
ドアが自動で閉まります。
The door closes automatically.
猫が部屋に入ります。
A cat will enter the room.
犬が公園を走ります。
A dog runs in the park.
彼女は歌を歌います。
She sings a song.