hanamaru
Use polite verb form (present/future)
ます is the basic polite verb ending for the present or future.
JLPTN5
[verb stem] + ます~ masu
[verb] (polite present/future)
Example Sentences
Do you wear a kimono?
I need a map
ます attaches to the verb stem to make a verb polite, used for present or future actions. It is the form you start with for everyday polite speech and is the base for related endings like ません, ました and ましょう. The plain dictionary form is more casual and used with people you are close to.
Conjugation
食べる→食べます
ichidan
飲む→飲みます
godan
行く→行きます
godan
する→します
irregular
Tips and Common Traps
Hana· Key point
Start here — ます is the first verb ending to learn, and once you have the stem, you can build ません, ました, and ましょう from it right away.
Maru· Common trap
The stem for ます is not the dictionary form — for る-verbs drop る, and for う-verbs change the final ‑u to い: 食べる→食べます, 書く→書きます.