Tense(じせい)

Let's learn about verbs' tenses after verb.  All the verbs in the previous verbs' section  are basic patterns.  So we need to learn the present ,past, future tense. Also I will separate be-verb  which is  〜です(desu)   from  general verbs like たべる(eat),みる(miru).

 

1. be-verb sentence

 present tense(am,is,are) = 〜です(desu)/〜である(dearu)。

                *〜である has more declared meaning than 〜です.

 past tense(was,were) = 〜でした(desita)/ 〜であった(deatta)。

 

 future tense(will be) = 〜でしょう(deshou)/〜であろう(dearou)。

 

for example

Taro is a carpenter.  → たろうは、だいく です。(tarouwa daiku desu)

Taro was a musician. → たろうは、おんがくか でした。(tarouwa ongakuka deshita)

It will be sunny tomorrow. → あすは、はれる でしょう。(asuwa hareru deshou)

 

2. general verb

 

let's take one verb for example

  みる(miru)   watch

 This is  a present tense and also a basic form which dictionary says on top. Verbs conjugate by tense.

                                                             

present tense (watch)= みる(miru)/みます(mimasu)

                 *みます(mimasu)  is more polite than みる(miru).

present progressive (am/is/are watching)=  みている(miteiru) /みています(miteimasu)

                                      *みています is more polite than みている.

past tense(watched) = みた(mita)/みました(mimashita)

                                      *みました is more polite than みた.

past progressive( was/were watching) = みていた(miteita)/みていました(miteimashita)

                                      *みていました is more polite than みていた.

future tense( will watch) = みるでしょう(mirudeshou)/みます(mimasu)

                                        *in japanese present tense can be used for future tense.

let's practice here!

 change these verbs into each tense.

 

1.たべる  (taberu)    eat                  

 

2.あそぶ (asobu)    play

 

3.よむ(yomu)  read

 

4.かく(kaku) write                   →                              click here for answer!

 

5.のむ(nomu) drink

 

6.あるく(aruku) walk

 

7.はしる(hashiru) run

 

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