Two Basic Verb Forms

Two Basic verb forms ～dictionary、～ます

There are many ways to conjugate verbs, but here we will focus on two present tense forms: "dictionary form" (also known as "plain form") and " ~masu form" (also known as "polite form")

NOTE : Switching between these two verb forms does not change the meaning of the verb but the dictionary form is more casual.

	The dictionary form gets its name because it is what is found in the dictionary.
	The dictionary form verbs ends in - u and many end in -ru.
	The masu form verbs are so called because they always end in -masu in the present tense.

EXAMPLES:

Dictionary Form	-Masu Form
たべる tabe ru	たべます tabe masu	Both mean "to eat"
のむ nom u	のみます nomi masu	to drink
はしる hashi ru	はしります hashiri masu	to run
する su ru	します shi masu	to do (this is one of the 2 irregular verbs)

You will notice some other changes between the two forms. I would recommend learning about the three verb groups here, but for our purposes right now, just memorize a few examples and try to find patterns with other verbs. And remember: Mistake making is memory making! (As long as you correct yourself, of course.)

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