Let's talk using dictionary forms! / Japanese Learning Support LLC | blog

Let's talk using dictionary form!

Today, I will show you how to make dictionary forms of verbs and what kind of sentences you can make using dictionary forms.

So let's get started.

First, let's explain how to make a dictionary form.

Everyone, can you now group Japanese verbs?

If you are wondering what Japanese verb groups are, please read my previous blog, which explains verb groupings in detail, before reading this blog.

"Let's talk using the te form!" Japanese Learning Support LLC

So let's start by looking at one group of verbs.

I will go → Iku i → u

I will write → I will write

Read → Read

I will speak → I will speak

I will wait → I will wait

Hurry → Hurry

I'm going home → I'm going home

In this way, in group 1 verbs, the [i] sound before masu changes to the [u] sound.

This completes the dictionary form.

It's not that difficult because there are no complicated rules or irregularities like with the te-form conjugation.

Now let's look at the two groups.

Eat → Eat

I'm going to sleep → I'm going to sleep

I will show you → Show you

Check → Check

Can open → Open

I will watch → Watch

I am → I am

I will get up → I will get up

In this way, for group 2 verbs, just remove the "masu" from the masu form and add "ru."

Tabemasu + ru → eat

That's right.

Finally, there are three group verbs.

There are only two of these, so remember them.

I'm coming → I'm coming

I will → I will

Group 3 is made up of irregular verbs, so there are no rules for conjugation.

Note that the first character will also change.

Also, even though the change has been from "kimu" to "kuru," the kanji is still the same "kurumasu" or "kuru," so please be careful about how you read it.

There is a change from "shimasu" to "suru," so of course "I will study" becomes "I will study suru" and "I will clean up" becomes "I will clean up suru."

This is the dictionary form conjugation of verbs.

How was it?

Now let's do some practice.

Shall I go?→ ?

Do you eat it? → ?

Wake up → ?

Are you coming → ?

Do you drink? → ?

Take it → ?

Go to sleep → ?

Do you → ?

Do you swim?

Close → ?

Can you open it → ?

Shall I sit down?

Add → ?

Will you lend it to me? → ?

Borrow → ?

Search → ?

Are you going out? → ?

Shall I talk → ?

Are you going home → ?

Call → ?

The answer is below.

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↓

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answer

① go ② eat ③ wake up ④ come ⑤ drink ⑥ take ⑦ sleep ⑧ do ⑨ swim ⑩ close ⑪ open ⑫ sit ⑬ put on ⑭ lend ⑮ borrow ⑯ look for ⑰ go out ⑱ talk ⑲ go home ⑳ call

Were all the answers correct?

Now let's see what kind of sentences we can make using this dictionary form.

●You can...

Sample1 I can speak Japanese.

Sample2 My younger brother can swim 1000 meters.

Sample3 My mother can cook Chinese food.

Sample4 Tanaka can play the piano.

The verb "dekiru" means to have the ability or skill to do something. In English, it becomes "can~~" / "≒ to have potential."

When you want to put another verb before "dekiru", for example when you want to say "I speak Japanese" or "I can", you have to add the dictionary form + koto, saying "I can speak Japanese".

Please note that it cannot be directly connected to the "Masu" shape.

✖ He can speak English.

He can speak English.

My hobby is...

Now let's talk about hobbies!

When talking about your hobbies you can say:

Sample1 My hobby is playing the piano.

Sample2 My hobby is drawing.

Sample3 My hobby is playing soccer.

Sample4 My hobby is taking photos.

You can express a hobby by putting "koto" after the dictionary form of a verb.

By adding "koto", the verb becomes a noun and forms a complete sentence.

Note that you cannot say the following:

✖ My hobby is playing the piano.

✖ My hobby is playing the piano.

My hobby is playing the piano.

You can also say this using just the noun:

・My hobby is jogging.

・My hobby is driving.

It's noun + desu, but we can make the same sentence.

So, aren't they all just nouns? You may be thinking that!

Let's look at the following sentence.

My hobby is soccer.

Looking at this sentence, it's unclear whether the speaker actually likes playing soccer as a player or likes watching soccer games.

Wouldn't it be easier to understand if you said, "My hobby is playing soccer." or "My hobby is watching soccer."

There are some hobbies like these that are easier to understand if the verb is stated clearly, so make sure you remember both noun sentences and verb sentences.

●Before, do

This is a grammar that can be used to express the order of actions.

When you say "do B before A," it means that the order of actions is B→A, meaning you do B first and then A.

Sample1 Please turn off the lights in the office before you leave.

Sample2: Wash your hands before eating.

Sample3 I do my homework before going to bed.

Sample4 Brush your teeth before you go out!

In this way, the dictionary form + before... can be used to express the order of actions.

Please try using this when you want to know which of two actions should be performed first.

That's all for today's blog post.

We introduced how to make dictionary forms and grammar using dictionary forms.

How was it?

There are many other grammar forms that can be used in addition to the ones we introduced today, so be sure to remember them.

That's all for today!

See you in the next blog!