Scribd
Upload
147 views5 pages

Verb Forms: Stem Form

This document summarizes various verb forms in Japanese: 1. It explains the stem, dictionary, masu, ta, nai and nakatta forms. For each form it provides the conjugation rules and examples of common verbs converted to that form. 2. It also covers converting adjectives to adverbs and using the dictionary form in essays. Adjectives ending in "i" drop the "i" and add "ku" to become an adverb, while adjectives ending in "na" add "ni". 3. Examples are given for using the different verb forms in sentences to show their meanings and appropriate contexts.

Uploaded by

serynak59
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
147 views5 pages

Verb Forms: Stem Form

This document summarizes various verb forms in Japanese: 1. It explains the stem, dictionary, masu, ta, nai and nakatta forms. For each form it provides the conjugation rules and examples of common verbs converted to that form. 2. It also covers converting adjectives to adverbs and using the dictionary form in essays. Adjectives ending in "i" drop the "i" and add "ku" to become an adverb, while adjectives ending in "na" add "ni". 3. Examples are given for using the different verb forms in sentences to show their meanings and appropriate contexts.

Uploaded by

serynak59
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Verb Forms

~Stem Form~ Description: The stem form is as it sounds: the base of the verb. It is the shortest form of a verb and can be achieved by simply removing the in the verb (i.e. from to .) This form cant be used alone, something must always be added to it in order to give it meaning. Example Conversions: 1. =>remove => 2. =>remove => 3. =>remove => Possible Uses: form; Stem (See grammar section) (Discussed in level 5) Sentence connector (Discussed in level 5)

~Dictionary Form: Description: The dictionary form (a.k.a. the plain form) is the most informal base of a verb. This form removes the and replaces it with an ending. Each verb changes in accordance to its identification (level 2). When changing from to dictionary form the meaning of each verb remains the same, the difference lies in the context of use. The form is more formal and polite than the dictionary form. The dictionary form is often used in informal situations like when speaking with friends and people you associate with daily. Strong verbs to Dictionary Form: To obtain the dictionary form of a strong verb, simply change the ending of the verb stem (see stem form) to the corresponding sound. Form Weak & Irregular Verbs to Dictionary form Dictionary Form

To get the dictionary form of weak verbs simply replace the ending with . There are few irregular verbs so it is easiest to simply memorize them in dictionary form. Form N + [] Special Note: Dictionary Form N + []

As noted earlier, the dictionary form is less formal than /; thus it is also easier to speak using this form than it is using /. Often times the dictionary form is used when writing essays/assigned compositions The dictionary form, unlike the stem form, can be used alone without add-ons and still be grammatically correct. Moreover, like the stem form it can and is often used in many different combinations & grammatical circumstances (More on this in Grammar & Level 4). Form & : Meaning & Usage: Do not do~; Will not do~; Isnt going to do~ The form is the informal version of the negative present tense of a verb (). It is used when talking with close friends and family. Often seen with added on to represent a negative request (please dont do~) Strong Verbs: To obtain the form of strong verbs, change the ending of its stem form to the line then add to the end. Form Weak & Irregular Verbs: Stem Form Form

To get form of weak verbs, simply add to their stem forms.

For irregular verbs it is best to simply memorize their forms. Form Examples: 1. 2. 3. 4. Stem Form Form

: Please dont be absent tomorrow. : Please dont sleep in the classroom. : Please dont borrow my clothes. : Please dont practice bad things.

From Adjective to Adverb: As you know in English, adverbs are used to describe verbs, adjectives, and other verbs. This is also done in Japanese by taking the adjective and turning it into an adverb. Adjectives: To turn an adjective into an adverb simply remove the final and replace with . Adjective: Adjectives: Meaning Is wide Is good Is loud Is strong Adverb: Meaning widely Well Loudly Strongly

To turn a adjective into an adverb simply add to the adjectives end. Adjective: Examples: 1. 2. 3. 4. Meaning Is quiet Is clean/pretty/neat Is sudden Is free/liberal Adverb: Meaning Quietly Neatly Suddenly Freely/liberally

: Please study quietly. : You may speak freely here. : I woke up early this morning. :Youve done well/ good job!

Form:

Description: Just as the dictionary form is the informal/plain version of the / form, the form is the informal/plain version of the / form. Like the dictionary form, it is grammatically correct to use this form alone, but it can also be used in combination. Because it is an informal form, its used mainly when speaking with friends and family but not with superiors. Strong Verbs: To get the form of strong verbs, follow the form pattern but replace the or with a or . Form Weak & Irregular Verbs: Form Form

To get the form of a weak verb, follow the form pattern and replace the with a . It is best to simply memorize the irregular verbs in their form. Form Form Form

Form: Description: This is the plan/informal version of the negative past tense (). To get to this form for all verbs, follow the form pattern, then remove the final -end and replace with . Examples: Dictionary Form Form Form

You might also like