Verb Forms

Introduction

Japanese verbs change form to express a wide range of meanings. The て-form connects actions, the ない-form negates, and the potential form expresses ability.

These fundamental conjugation patterns are the backbone of Japanese sentence construction.

Themes

All Japanese Grammar Basic in This Chapter (16)

1. ～て (て form) て The て form is one of the most versatile verb and adjective conjugations in Japanese. It connects clauses, forms compound verbs, makes req...
2. ～てしまう (completion/regret) しまう An auxiliary verb attached to the て form of a verb to express the complete finishing of an action. It often carries an additional nuance ...
3. ～ておく (in advance) おく An auxiliary verb attached to the て form indicating that an action is done in advance, in preparation for a future need or situation. It ...
4. ～出す・だす (begin/emerge) だす A compound verb suffix attached to the verb stem that expresses the sudden beginning or emergence of an action or state that was previous...
5. ～終わる・おわる (finish doing) おわる A compound verb suffix attached to the verb stem that indicates the completion or finishing of an action. It expresses that an activity h...
6. ～始める・はじめる (begin doing) はじめる A compound verb suffix attached to the verb stem that indicates someone or something begins to perform an action or enters a new state. I...
7. ～ていく (1) (moving away) いく An auxiliary verb construction where いく follows the て form of a verb to indicate that an action or movement proceeds in a direction away ...
8. ～ていく (2) (ongoing change) いく An auxiliary verb construction where いく follows the て form of a verb to express that an action or state continues to change or progress f...
9. ～てくる (1) (directional) くる An auxiliary verb construction where くる follows the て form to express that someone or something moves toward the speaker. It indicates ph...
10. ～てくる (2) (emerging change) くる An auxiliary verb construction where くる follows the て form to express that a process or change has begun and progressed up to the present...
11. ～てみる (try doing) みる An auxiliary verb construction where みる follows the て form to express trying or attempting an action to see what happens or what it is li...
12. ～ことができる (able to) ことができる A construction expressing ability or possibility. It states that doing a particular action is possible, either because of personal skill,...
13. ～すぎる (too much) すぎる An auxiliary verb attached to verb stems and adjective stems to express that something is done excessively or a state is excessive. It co...
14. ～やすい (easy to) やすい A suffix attached to the ます stem of verbs to express that an action is easy to do. It describes the inherent ease or tendency of somethin...
15. ～にくい (hard to) にくい A suffix attached to the ます stem of verbs to express that an action is difficult to do. It describes the inherent difficulty or resistanc...
16. ～なくなる (no longer) なくなる A construction expressing that a state or action has ceased to occur or is no longer the case. It indicates a change to a situation where...