View source for Japanese conjugation

{{Short description|Overview of how Japanese verbs conjugate}}
'''Japanese verbs''', like the verbs of many other languages, can be [[Morphology (linguistics)|morphologically]] modified to change their meaning or grammatical function – a process known as [[grammatical conjugation|conjugation]]. In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], the beginning of a word (the ''[[word stem|stem]]'') is preserved during conjugation, while the ending of the word is altered in some way to change the meaning (this is the ''inflectional [[suffix]]''). Japanese verb conjugations are independent of [[grammatical person|person]], [[grammatical number|number]] and [[grammatical gender|gender]] (they do not depend on whether the subject is ''I'', ''you'', ''he'', ''she'', ''we'', etc.); the conjugated forms can express meanings such as [[Affirmation and negation|negation]], present and past [[grammatical tense|tense]], [[Volition (linguistics)|volition]], [[passive voice]], [[causative|causation]], [[imperative mood|imperative]] and [[conditional mood|conditional]] mood, and ability. There are also special forms for [[Conjunction (grammar)|conjunction]] with other verbs, and for combination with [[grammatical particle|particles]] for additional meanings.

Japanese verbs have [[agglutination|agglutinating]] properties: some of the conjugated forms are themselves conjugable verbs (or [[Japanese adjectives|''i''-adjectives]]), which can result in several suffixes being strung together in a single verb form to express a combination of meanings.

[[File:AMB Japanese Verbs.pdf|thumb|A revision sheet visually summarizing the conjugations and uses described below]]

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Verb groups==
{{main|Japanese godan and ichidan verbs}}
[[File:Hiragana-Katakana-Gojuuon.jpg|thumb|right|Gojuon Table]]

For Japanese verbs, the verb stem remains invariant among all conjugations. However, conjugation patterns vary according to a verb's category. For example, {{nihongo krt||知る|shiru}} and {{nihongo krt||着る|kiru}} belong to different verb categories (godan and ichidan, respectively) and therefore follow different conjugation patterns. As such, knowing a verb's category is essential for conjugating Japanese verbs.

Japanese verbs can be allocated into three categories:{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=86-88|loc="Lesson 3, Grammar 1: Verb Conjugation"}}

# {{nihongo|'''Godan verbs'''|五段動詞|godan-dōshi|literally: "five‑row verbs"}}, also known as "[[Japanese godan and ichidan verbs#Terminology|pentagrade verbs]]"
# {{nihongo|'''Ichidan verbs'''|一段動詞|ichidan-dōshi|literally: "one‑row verbs"}}, also known as "[[Japanese godan and ichidan verbs#Terminology|monograde verbs]]"
# [[Japanese irregular verbs|'''Irregular verbs''']], most notably: {{nihongo krt|to do|する|suru}} and {{nihongo krt|to come|来る|kuru}}

Verbs are conjugated from their "''dictionary form''", where the final [[kana]] is either removed or changed in some way.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=86-88|loc="Lesson 3, Grammar 1: Verb Conjugation"}} From a technical standpoint, verbs usually require a specific conjugational stem (see [[#Verb_bases|§ Verb bases]], below) for any given inflection or suffix. With godan verbs, the conjugational stem can span all five rows of the [[gojūon#Table|gojūon kana table]] (hence, the classification as a [[Japanese godan and ichidan verbs#Terminology|pentagrade verb]]). Ichidan verbs are simpler to conjugate: the final kana, which is always {{nihongo krt||る|ru}}, is simply removed or replaced with the appropriate [[inflectional suffix]]. This means ichidan verb stems, in themselves, are valid conjugational stems which always end with the same kana (hence, the classification as a monograde verb).

This phenomenon can be observed by comparing conjugations of the two verb types, within the context of the gojūon table.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

{| class="wikitable" |
! colspan="2" style="border-bottom:none;" | Godan Form
! [[Gojūon#Table|Gojūon table]] <br /> 'ma' column
! Godan Verb <br /> {{nihongo krt|'''to read'''|'''読む'''}}
! rowspan="6" |
! style="border-left:none;" | Ichidan Form
! Ichidan Verb <br /> {{nihongo krt|'''to see'''|'''見る'''}}
! Ichidan Verb <br /> {{nihongo krt|'''to stop'''|'''止める'''|}}
|-
! rowspan="5" style="border-top:none;" |
! Negative
! {{nihongo krt||'''ま'''|'''ma'''}}
| {{lang|ja|読'''ま'''ない}} <br /> {{nihongo|||yo'''ma'''nai}}
! Negative
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''み'''ない}}<span style="font-weight:normal;">{{ref|verbgroups1|*}}</span> <br /> {{nihongo|||'''mi'''nai}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|止'''め'''ない}} <br /> {{nihongo|||to'''me'''nai}}
|-
! Polite
! {{nihongo krt||'''み'''|'''mi'''}}
| {{lang|ja|読'''み'''ます}} <br /> {{nihongo|||yo'''mi'''masu}}
!Polite
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''み'''ます}}<span style="font-weight:normal;">{{ref|verbgroups1|*}}</span> <br /> {{nihongo|||'''mi'''masu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|止'''め'''ます}} <br /> {{nihongo|||to'''me'''masu}}
|-
! Dictionary <br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;"><small>(no conjugation)</small></span>
! {{nihongo krt||'''む'''|'''mu'''}}
| {{lang|ja|読'''む'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||yo'''mu'''}}
!Dictionary
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''み'''る}}<span style="font-weight:normal;">{{ref|verbgroups1|*}}</span> <br /> {{nihongo|||'''mi'''ru}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|止'''め'''る}} <br /> {{nihongo|||to'''me'''ru}}
|-
! Potential
! {{nihongo krt||'''め'''|'''me'''}}
| {{lang|ja|読'''め'''る}} <br /> {{nihongo|||yo'''me'''ru}}
!Potential
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''み'''られる}}<span style="font-weight:normal;">{{ref|verbgroups1|*}}</span> <br /> {{nihongo|||'''mi'''rareru}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|止'''め'''られる}} <br /> {{nihongo|||to'''me'''rareru}}
|-
! Volitional
! {{nihongo krt||'''も'''|'''mo'''}}
| {{lang|ja|読'''も'''う}} <br /> {{nihongo|||yo'''mō'''}}
!Volitional
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''み'''よう}}<span style="font-weight:normal;">{{ref|verbgroups1|*}}</span> <br /> {{nihongo|||'''mi'''yō}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|止'''め'''よう}} <br /> {{nihongo|||to'''me'''yō}}
|}
: {{note label|verbgroups1|*}} <small>These forms are given here in [[hiragana]] for illustrative purposes; they would normally be written with [[kanji]] as {{lang|ja|見ない}}, {{lang|ja|見ます}} etc.</small>

As visible above, the godan verb {{nihongo3|to read|読む|yomu}} has a static verb stem, {{nihongo3||読〜|yo-}}, and a dynamic conjugational stem which changes depending on the purpose: {{nihongo3||読'''ま'''〜|yo'''ma'''-|row 1}}, {{nihongo3||読'''み'''〜|yo'''mi'''-|row 2}}, {{nihongo3||読'''む'''|yo'''mu'''|row 3}}, {{nihongo3||読'''め'''〜|yo'''me'''-|row 4}} and {{nihongo3||読'''も'''〜|yo'''mo'''-|row 5}}. Unlike godan verb stems, ichidan verb stems are also functional conjugational stems, with the final kana of the stem remaining static in all conjugations.

{{anchor|終止形|shūshikei|shushikei|連体形|rentaikei|未然形|mizenkei|連用形|ren'yōkei|ren'yokei|renyokei|音便形|onbinkei|意志形|ishikei|命令形|meireikei|可能形|kanōkei|kanokei|仮定形|kateikei|已然形|izenkei}}

==Verb bases==

Conjugable words (verbs, ''i''‑adjectives, and ''na''‑adjectives) are traditionally considered to have six possible {{nihongo|'''conjugational stems''' or '''bases'''|[[:ja:活用形|活用形]]|katsuyōkei|extra=literally "conjugation forms"}} .{{sfn|McClain|1981|pp=5-6|loc="Verbs: Functions of Six Bases"}} However, as a result of the language evolving,{{sfn|Nakano|2008|pp=103-105|loc="2.可能表現の形態とその内容の変遷ー動作主体性の発達" (Potential)}}{{sfn|Miyake|2016|loc="可能形" (Potential)}} [[Japanese grammar#Euphonic changes (音便 onbin)|historical sound shifts]],{{sfn|Nakamura|2009|loc="音便形" (Euphonic Change)}}{{sfn|Sakaki|2019|loc="音便形" (Euphonic Change)}} and the [[Japanese script reform#Reforms|post‑WWII spelling reforms]],{{sfn|Koyanagi|2014|loc="意志形" (Volitional)}} three additional sub‑bases have emerged for verbs (seen in the table below as the Potential, Tentative, and Euphonic bases). Meanwhile, verbs no longer differentiate between the {{nihongo|terminal form|終止形|shūshikei|extra=used to terminate a predicate}} and the {{nihongo|attributive form|連体形|rentaikei|extra=used to modify a noun or noun phrase}} bases (these bases are only distinguished for ''na''‑adjectives in the modern language, see [[Japanese adjectives]]).{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 3. Third Base" (終止形/連体形; Conclusive/Attributive Base)}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=580-581|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Adjectives)}} Verb bases function as the necessary stem forms to which [[inflectional suffix]]es attach.

Verbs are named and listed in dictionaries according to their {{nihongo|''"dictionary form"''|[[:ja:辞書形|辞書形]]|jishokei}}.  This is also called the "plain form" (since this is the plain, non‑polite, non‑past conjugation), and it is the same as the modern {{nihongo|''"terminal form"''|終止形|shūshikei}}, and the {{nihongo|''"attributive form"''|連体形|rentaikei}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}} The verb group (godan, ichidan, or irregular) determines how to derive any given conjugation base for the verb. With godan verbs, the base is derived by shifting the final kana along the respective vowel row of the [[gojūon#Table|gojūon kana table]]. With ichidan verbs, the base is derived by removing or replacing the final {{nihongo krt||る|ru}} kana.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

The table below illustrates the various verb bases across the verb groups, with the patterns starting from the dictionary form.{{sfn|McClain|1981|pp=6-13|loc="Verbs: Conjugation Charts"}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Verb base formation table
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" | <big>Verb base</big>
! colspan="2"| Godan
! colspan="2"| Ichidan
! colspan="4" | Irregular
! rowspan="2" | Usage
|-
! {{nihongo krt|'''to say'''|'''言う'''}}
! {{nihongo krt|'''to make'''|'''作る'''}}
! {{nihongo krt|'''to see'''|'''見る'''}}
! {{nihongo krt|'''to begin'''|'''始める'''}}
! {{nihongo krt|'''to come'''|'''来る'''}}
! colspan="3" | {{nihongo krt|'''to do'''|'''する'''}}
|-
! rowspan="3" |
! style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Shūshikei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 3. Third Base" (終止形/連体形; Conclusive/Attributive Base)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>No changes</small>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>No changes</small>
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>No changes</small>
! rowspan="3" | [[#Imperfective|Imperfective form]]
|-
! style="border-top:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:終止形 (文法)|終止形]]}}, Terminal)
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|言う}} {{nihongo3|||iu}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|作る}} {{nihongo3|||tsukuru}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|見る}} {{nihongo3|||miru}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|始める}} {{nihongo3|||hajimeru}}
| rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|くる}} {{nihongo3|||kuru}}
| colspan="3" rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|する}} {{nihongo3|||suru}}
|-
! {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Rentaikei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 3. Third Base" (終止形/連体形; Conclusive/Attributive Base)}}<br />({{lang|ja|[[:ja:連体形|連体形]]}}, Attributive)
|-
! colspan="2" style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Kateikei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 4. Fourth Base" (仮定形 Conditional Base)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|え}} row</small>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}}</small>
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;"| {{ref|verbbases1|[i]}}
! rowspan="2" | [[#Conditional|Conditional form]]
|-
! colspan="2" style="border:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:仮定形|仮定形]]}}, Hypothetical)
| {{lang|ja|言え}} {{nihongo3|||ie}}
| {{lang|ja|作れ}} {{nihongo3|||tsukure}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|見}} {{nihongo3|||mi}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|始め}} {{nihongo3|||hajime}}
| {{lang|ja|くれ}} {{nihongo3|||kure}}
| colspan="3" | {{lang|ja|すれ}} {{nihongo3|||sure}}
|-
! rowspan="2" style="border-top:none;" |
! style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Kanōkei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|Nakano|2008|pp=103-105|loc="2.可能表現の形態とその内容の変遷ー動作主体性の発達" (Potential)}}{{sfn|Miyake|2016|loc="可能形" (Potential)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|え}} row</small>
| rowspan="2" | ({{lang|ja|こ}} {{Transliteration|ja|ko}})
| colspan="3" rowspan="2" | ({{lang|ja|できる}} {{Transliteration|ja|dekiru}})
! rowspan="2" | [[#Potential|Potential form]]
|-
! style="border-top:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:可能形|可能形]]}}, Potential)
| {{lang|ja|言え}} {{nihongo3|||ie}}
| {{lang|ja|作れ}} {{nihongo3|||tsukure}}
|-
! colspan="2" style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Meireikei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 5. Fifth Base" (命令形 Imperative Base)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|え}} row</small>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}}</small>{{ref|verbbases2|[ii]}}
! style="border-right:none;" |
! colspan="3" style="font-weight:normal;border-left:none;" | {{ref|verbbases2|[ii]}}
! rowspan="2" | [[#Imperative|Imperative form]]
|-
! colspan="2" style="border-top:none;vertical-align:top;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:命令形|命令形]]}}, Imperative)
| {{lang|ja|言え}} {{nihongo3|||ie}}
| {{lang|ja|作れ}} {{nihongo3|||tsukure}}
| {{lang|ja|見}} {{nihongo3|||mi}}<br />({{lang|ja|見ろ}} {{nihongo3|||miro}})
| {{lang|ja|始め}} {{nihongo3|||hajime}}<br />({{lang|ja|始めろ}} {{nihongo3|||hajimero}})
| {{lang|ja|こい}} {{nihongo3|||koi}}
| colspan="3" | {{lang|ja|しろ}} {{nihongo3|||shiro}}<br />{{lang|ja|せよ}} {{nihongo3|||seyo}}
|-
! colspan="2" style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Mizenkei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|p=5|loc="Verbs: 1. First Base" (未然形 Negative Base)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|あ}} row</small>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}}</small>
! style="border-right:none;" |
! colspan="3" style="font-weight:normal;border-left:none;" | {{ref|verbbases5|[v]}}
! rowspan="2" | [[#Negative|Negative form]]<br />[[#Passive|Passive form]]<br />[[#Causative|Causative form]]
|-
! colspan="2" style="border:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:未然形|未然形]]}}, Irrealis) <span style="font-weight:normal;">{{ref|verbbases3|[iii]}}</span>
| {{lang|ja|言わ}} {{nihongo3|||iwa}} {{ref|verbbases4|[iv]}}
| {{lang|ja|作ら}} {{nihongo3|||tsukura}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|見}} {{nihongo3|||mi}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|始め}} {{nihongo3|||hajime}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|こ}} {{nihongo3|||ko}}
| style="border-right:none;" | {{lang|ja|さ}} {{nihongo3|||sa}}
| style="border:none;" | {{lang|ja|し}} {{nihongo3|||shi}}
| style="border-left:none;" | {{lang|ja|せ}} {{nihongo3|||se}}
|-
! rowspan="2" style="border-top:none;border-bottom:none;" |
! style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Ishikei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 6. Sixth Base" (推量形 Tentative Base)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|お}} row</small>
| colspan="3" rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|し}} {{nihongo3|||shi}}
! rowspan="2" | [[#Volitional|Tentative form]]
|-
! style="border-top:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:意志形|推量形]]}}, Tentative)
| {{lang|ja|言お}} {{nihongo3|||io}}
| {{lang|ja|作ろ}} {{nihongo3|||tsukuro}}
|-
! colspan="2" style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Ren'yōkei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|McClain|1981|pp=5-6|loc="Verbs: 2. Second Base" (連用形 Continuative Base)}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|い}} row</small>
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}}</small>
! colspan="4" |
! rowspan="2" | [[#Conjunctive|Conjunctive form]]
|-
! colspan="2" style="border:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:連用形|連用形]]}}, Conjunctive)
| {{lang|ja|言い}} {{nihongo3|||ii}}
| {{lang|ja|作り}} {{nihongo3|||tsukuri}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|見}} {{nihongo3|||mi}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|始め}} {{nihongo3|||hajime}}
| rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|き}} {{nihongo3|||ki}}
| colspan="3" rowspan="3" | {{lang|ja|し}} {{nihongo3|||shi}}
|-
! rowspan="2" style="border-top:none;" |
! style="border-bottom:none;" | {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Onbinkei|italic=no}} base {{sfn|Digital Daijisen Dictionary: Onbinkei}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Remove the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana, add {{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|っ}}}}, {{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|し}}}}, {{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|い}}}} or {{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ん}}}}</small>
! rowspan="2" | [[#Perfective|Perfective form]]<br />[[#te form|''te'' form]]
|-
! style="border-top:none;" | ({{lang|ja|[[:ja:音便形|音便形]]}}, Euphonic)
| {{lang|ja|言{{color|#0a0|っ}}}} {{nihongo3|||i{{color|#0a0|t}}}}
| {{lang|ja|作{{color|#0a0|っ}}}} {{nihongo3|||tsuku{{color|#0a0|t}}}}
|}

: {{note label|verbbases1|[i]}} The verb {{nihongo krt||来る|kuru}} has no dedicated kanōkei base.  Instead, the passive form {{nihongo krt||来られる|korareru}} is used to express the potential sense. {{nihongo krt||する}} lacks a kanōkei base; instead, the [[Suppletion|suppletive]] ichidan verb {{nihongo krt||できる|dekiru}} is used as the potential form of {{nihongo krt||する}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=38-46|loc="Verb-Following Expressions: I. Expressions which follow the ''First Base of the Verb''"}} See also the [[#Passive:_Conjugation_table|§ Passive: Conjugation table]] section below.
: {{note label|verbbases2|[ii]}} {{nihongo krt||〜ろ|-ro}} is used for the spoken imperative form, while {{nihongo krt||〜よ|-yo}} is used for the written imperative form.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|p=578|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs: Footnote 7)}}
: {{note label|verbbases3|[iii]}} The meaning of the term {{nihongo krt||未然形|mizenkei|extra=''irrealis''}} originates from its archaic usage with the conditional {{nihongo krt||〜ば|-ba}} suffix in [[Old Japanese]] and Classical Japanese.{{sfn|Shirane|2005|pp=24-25|loc="3.1 The Six Inflected Forms"}} The conjugated forms in the modern language, such as the [[#Passive|passive]] and [[#Causative|causative]] forms, do not invoke an [[Irrealis mood|irrealis]] mood, but the term ''mizenkei'' was retained.
: {{note label|verbbases4|[iv]}} The mizenkei base for verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜う|-u}} appears to be an exceptional case with the unexpected {{nihongo krt||〜わ|-wa}}. This realization of {{Transliteration|ja|-wa}} is a leftover from past sound changes, an artifact preserved from the archaic Japanese {{Transliteration|ja|-fu}} from {{Transliteration|ja|-pu}} verbs (which would have yielded, regularly, {{Transliteration|ja|-wa}} from {{Transliteration|ja|-fa}} from {{Transliteration|ja|-pa}}). This is noted with [[historical kana orthography]] in dictionaries; for example, {{nihongo krt||言う|iu}} from {{nihongo krt||言ふ|ifu}} from {{Transliteration|ja|ipu}} and {{nihongo krt||言わぬ|iwanu}} from {{nihongo krt||言はぬ|ifanu}} (from {{Transliteration|ja|ipanu}}).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1888|p=148|loc="The Verb: Peculiarities of the First Conjugation ¶ 239"}} In modern Japanese, original instances of mid‑word consonant [w] have since been dropped before all vowels except [a].{{sfn|Chamberlain|1888|p=148|loc="The Verb: Peculiarities of the First Conjugation ¶ 239"}}{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=232-233|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 1: Causative Sentences"}}{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=8-11|loc="Verbs: Conjugation of Japanese Verbs: II. Consonant-stem verbs"}} (For more on this shift in consonants, see {{slink|Old Japanese#Consonants}}, {{slink|Early Middle Japanese#Consonants}}, and {{slink|Late Middle Japanese#/h/ and /p/}}.)
: {{note label|verbbases5|[v]}} There are three mizenkei bases for the verb {{nihongo krt||する|suru}}, depending on the resulting conjugated form: {{nihongo krt||さ|sa}} for passive and causative forms, {{nihongo krt||し|shi}} for the negative and volitional forms, and {{nihongo krt||せ|se}} for the negative continuous form.{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=10-11|loc="Verbs: Conjugation of Japanese Verbs: III. Irregular verbs"}}

Of the nine verb bases, the [[#Imperfective|shūshikei/rentaikei]], [[#Imperative|meireikei]], and [[#Conjunctive|ren'yōkei]] bases can be considered fully conjugated forms without needing to append inflectional suffixes. In particular, the shūshikei/rentaikei and meireikei bases do not conjugate with any inflectional suffixes. By contrast, a verb cannot be considered fully conjugated in its kateikei, mizenkei, ishikei, kanōkei, or onbinkei base alone; a compatible inflectional suffix is required for that verb construction to be grammatical.{{sfn|McClain|1981|pp=39-86|loc="Verb-Following Expressions"}}

Certain inflectional suffixes, in themselves, take on the form of verbs or ''i''‑adjectives. These suffixes can then be further conjugated by adopting one of the verb bases, followed by the attachment of the appropriate suffix. The agglutinative nature of Japanese verb conjugation can thus make the final form of a given verb conjugation quite long. For example, the word {{nihongo krt||食べさせられたくなかった|tabesaseraretakunakatta}} is broken down into its component [[morpheme]]s below:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="8" | <big>{{nihongo krt|'''"did not want to be made to eat"'''|'''食べさせられたくなかった'''|'''tabesaseraretakunakatta'''}}</big>
|-
| style="width:12.5%;" | {{Nihongo krt||'''食べ'''|'''tabe'''}}
| style="width:12.5%;" | {{Nihongo krt||'''させ'''|'''sase'''}}
| style="width:12.5%;" | {{Nihongo krt||'''られ'''|'''rare'''}}
| style="width:12.5%;" | {{Nihongo krt||'''たく'''|'''taku'''}}
| style="width:12.5%;" | {{Nihongo krt||'''なかっ'''|'''naka'-'''}}
| style="width:12.5%;" | {{Nihongo krt||'''た'''|'''ta'''}}
|-
| Mizenkei base of <br />{{Nihongo krt||食べる|taberu}}
| Mizenkei base of the <br />{{Nihongo krt||させる|saseru}} causative suffix
| Ren'yōkei base of the <br />{{Nihongo krt||られる|rareru}} passive suffix
| Ren'yōkei base of the <br />{{Nihongo krt||たい|tai}} desiderative suffix
| Past‑tense ren'yōkei base of the <br />{{Nihongo krt||ない|nai}} negation suffix
| Inflectional suffix<br />{{Nihongo krt||た|ta}}, marking past tense
|-
| "to eat" ([[Word stem|Verb stem]])
| [[Causative|Causative voice]]: "to make someone do"
| [[Passive voice]]: "to be done"
| [[Desiderative mood#Japanese|Desiderative mood]]: "wanting to do something"
| [[Affirmation and negation|Negation]]: "not", negates whatever came before
| [[Perfective aspect]]: indicates completion or past tense
|}

=== Derivative verb bases ===
There are three modern verb base forms that are considered to be derived from older forms.  These are the '''potential''', '''volitional''', and '''euphonic''' sub‑bases, as shown in the [[#Verb bases|Verb base formation table]] above.

As with all languages, the Japanese language has evolved to fulfil the contemporary needs of communication. The potential form of verbs is one such example. In [[Old Japanese]] and [[Early Middle Japanese]], potential was expressed with the verb ending {{Nihongo krt||[[:wikt:ゆ#Old Japanese|ゆ]]|yu}}, which was also used to express the [[passive voice]] ("to be done") and the [[Early Middle Japanese#Verb-like endings|spontaneous voice]] ("something happens on its own").  This evolved into the modern passive ending {{Nihongo krt||（ら）れる|-(ra)reru}}, which can similarly express potential and spontaneous senses.  As usage patterns changed over time, different kinds of potential constructions emerged, such as the grammatical pattern of the rentaikei base + {{nihongo3||〜ことができる|-koto ga dekiru}}, and also via the kanōkei base.{{sfn|Nakano|2008|pp=103-105|loc="2.可能表現の形態とその内容の変遷ー動作主体性の発達" (Potential)}} The historical development of the kanōkei base is disputed, however the consensus is that it stemmed from a shift wherein transitive verbs developed an intransitive sense similar to the spontaneous, passive, and potential, and these intransitive forms conjugated in the {{Nihongo krt|[[Early Middle Japanese#Conjugation|lower bigrade conjugation pattern]]|下二段活用|shimo nidan katsuyō}} of the Classical Japanese of the time.{{sfn|Miyake|2016|loc="可能形" (Potential)}}  The lower bigrade conjugation pattern evolved into the modern ichidan pattern in modern Japanese, and these stems for godan verbs have the same form as the '''hypothetical''' stems in the table above.

The mizenkei base that ends with {{Transliteration|ja|-a}} was also used to express the volitional mood for {{nihongo|yodan verbs|四段動詞|yodan-dōshi|"Class‑4 verbs"}} in [[Old Japanese]] and [[Middle Japanese (disambiguation)|Middle Japanese]], in combination with volitional suffix {{Nihongo krt||む|-mu}}.  Sound changes caused the resulting ''-amu'' ending to change: {{IPA|/-amu/}} → {{IPA|/-ãu/}} → {{IPA|/-au/}} (like English ''"ow"'') → {{IPA|/-ɔː/}} (like English ''"aw"'') → {{IPA|/-oː/}}. The [[Japanese script reform#Reforms|post‑WWII spelling reforms]] updated spellings to reflect this and other sound changes, resulting in the addition of the ishikei or '''volitional''' base, ending with {{Transliteration|ja|-o}}, for the volitional mood of yodan verbs. This also resulted in a reclassification of "yodan verbs" to {{nihongo|"godan verbs"|五段動詞|godan-dōshi|"Class‑5 verbs"}}.{{sfn|Koyanagi|2014|loc="意志形" (Volitional)}}{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=6|loc="Verbs: 6. Sixth Base" (推量形 Tentative Base)}}

The ren'yōkei base also underwent various [[Japanese grammar#Euphonic changes (音便, onbin)|euphonic changes]] specific to the [[#Perfective|perfective]] and [[#te form|conjunctive (''te'')]] forms for certain verb stems,{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=17-18|loc="Verbs: How to form ''Ta''- and ''Te''-form of Verbs: II. Consonant stem verbs"}}{{sfn|Nakamura|2009|loc="音便形" (Euphonic Change)}}{{sfn|Sakaki|2019|loc="音便形" (Euphonic Change)}} giving rise to the onbinkei or '''euphonic''' base.{{sfn|Digital Daijisen Dictionary: Onbinkei}} In the onbinkei base, the inflectional suffixes for godan verbs vary according to the last kana of the verb's ren'yōkei base.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

==Copula: ''da'' and ''desu''==
{{see also|Japanese grammar#Copula (だ da)}}

The copula or "to be" verb in Japanese is a special case.  This comes in two basic forms, {{nihongo krt||だ|da}} in the plain form and {{nihongo krt||です|desu}} in the polite form. These are generally used to [[Predicate (grammar)|predicate]] sentences, equate one thing with another (i.e. "A is B."), or express a self‑directed thought (e.g. a sudden emotion or realization).{{sfn|Lombardo et al.|2019}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Copula example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| It '''is''' a book.
| {{nihongo krt||本'''です'''|hon '''desu'''}}
| predicate
|-
| The weather '''was''' awful.
| {{nihongo krt||天気が大変'''でした'''|tenki ga taihen '''deshita'''}}
| copula, A is B
|-
| Ah! '''A''' cockroach!
| {{nihongo krt||わっ！ゴキブリ'''だ'''！|wa! gokiburi '''da'''!}}
| self‑directed
|}

===Copula: Conjugation table===
The Japanese copula is not a standard 'verb' and conjugations are limited to a smaller subset of functions. Furthermore, this conjugates according to its own specific patterns:{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=580-581|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Adjectives)}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form <br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;"><small>(no conjugation)</small></span>
! Negative <br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;"><small>(colloquial)</small></span>
! Negative <br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;"><small>(formal)</small></span>
! Perfective <br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;"><small>(past tense)</small></span>
! te form
! Conditional
! Conjecture <br /> <span style="font-weight:normal;"><small>(probably)</small></span>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|だ}} <br /> {{nihongo|||da}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''じゃない'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||'''ja nai'''}} {{ref|copula1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''ではない'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||'''de wa nai'''}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|だ'''った'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||da'''tta'''}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|'''で'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||'''de'''}}
| style="text-align:center;" |  {{lang|ja| '''なら（ば）'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||<wbr/> '''nara (ba)'''}}
| style="text-align:center;background-color:#ffd;" | {{lang|ja|(だ'''ろう''')}} <br /> {{nihongo|||(da'''rō''')}} {{ref|copula2|[ii]}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|です}} <br /> {{nihongo|||desu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|'''じゃありません'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||'''ja arimasen'''}} {{ref|copula1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|で'''はありません'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||de '''wa arimasen'''}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{lang|ja|で'''した'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||de'''shita'''}}
| style="text-align:center;" |  {{lang|ja|で'''あれば'''}} <br /> {{nihongo|||de'''are ba'''}}
| style="text-align:center;background-color:#ffd;" | {{lang|ja|(で'''しょう''')}} <br /> {{nihongo|||(de'''shō''')}} {{ref|copula2|[ii]}}
|}

: {{note label|copula1|[i]}} {{nihongo krt||じゃ|ja}} is a colloquial abbreviation of {{nihongo krt||では|de wa}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=580-581|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Adjectives)}}
: {{note label|copula2|[ii]}} Although {{nihongo krt||だろう|darō}} and {{nihongo krt||でしょう|deshō}} were originally conjugations of {{nihongo krt||だ|da}} and {{nihongo krt||です|desu}} respectively, they are now also used as [[auxiliary verb]]s.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=100-102|loc="Main Entries: darō だろう"}}

===Copula: Grammatical compatibility===
The {{lang|ja|だ}} [[#Negative|negative forms]], {{nihongo krt||じゃない|ja nai}} and {{nihongo krt||ではない|de wa nai}}, are compatible with all negative valence conjugations (such as the [[#Perfective|negative past tense]] or the [[#te form|negative -te form]]).{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=580-581|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Adjectives)}} However, the {{lang|ja|です}} negative forms, {{nihongo krt||じゃありません|ja arimasen}} and {{nihongo krt||ではありません|de wa arimasen}}, are conjugated into the past tense by appending {{nihongo krt||でした|deshita}} as a suffix (and are therefore incompatible with subsequent {{nihongo krt||〜ない|-nai}} conjugations).{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=580-581|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Adjectives)}} Furthermore, the [[#Perfective|perfective forms]], {{nihongo krt||だった|datta}} and {{nihongo krt||でした|deshita}}, are compatible with the [[#tara conditional|~tara conditional]].{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=452-457|loc="Main Entries: ~tara 〜たら"}}

{{anchor|Imperfect|Dictionary form}}

==Imperfective==
The '''[[imperfective aspect|imperfective form]]''' (also known as the ''"non‑past", "plain form", "short form", "dictionary form"'' and the ''"attributive form"'') is broadly equivalent to the present and future tenses of English. In Japanese, the imperfective form is used as the [[headword]] or [[Lemma (morphology)|lemma]]. It is used to express actions that are assumed to continue into the future, habits or future intentions.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=190-191|loc="Lesson 8, Grammar 1: Short Forms"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Imperfective form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| {{color|#666|''(Do you '''eat''' sushi?)''}} <br /> Yes, I '''eat''' sushi.
| {{color|#666|{{nihongo krt||(寿司を'''食べる'''?)|sushi o '''taberu'''?}}}} <br /> {{nihongo krt||うん、寿司を'''食べる'''|un, sushi o '''taberu'''}}
| assumption to continue action
|-
| I '''go shopping''' every weekend.
| {{nihongo krt||毎週末'''買い物する'''|mai shūmatsu '''kaimono suru'''}}
| habit / reoccurring action
|-
| I '''will study''' tomorrow.
| {{nihongo krt||明日'''勉強する'''|ashita '''benkyō suru'''}}
| future intention
|}

The imperfective form cannot be used to make a progressive continuous statement, such as in the English sentence "I am shopping". To do so, the verb must first be conjugated into its ''te form'' and attached to the {{nihongo krt||いる|iru}} auxiliary verb {{See below|{{section link||te form: Grammatical compatibility}}, below}}.

===Imperfective: Conjugation table===
The imperfective form uses the [[#shūshikei|shūshikei]]/[[#rentaikei|rentaikei base]], and is thus equivalent to the dictionary form.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Imperfect form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>No change</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}{{ref|imperfective1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>No change</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special conjugations
|-
| {{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | →
| {{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
|}

: {{note label|imperfective1|[i]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜る|-ru}}, the imperfective conjugation, or dictionary form, is the simplest form which is [[Syncretism (linguistics)|syncretic]] with ichidan verbs.

===Imperfective: Grammatical compatibility===
The imperfective form can be used to issue prohibitive commands by attaching {{nihongo krt||〜な|-na}}.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|p=234|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 3: Verb Stem + なさい"}} For example, {{nihongo krt|"'''Do not''' enter!"|入る'''な'''！|hairu '''na'''!}}.
Additionally, the imperfective form is compatible with the [[Nominalization#Japanese|nominalizers]] {{nihongo krt||〜の|-no}} and {{nihongo krt||〜こと|-koto}}, which repurpose the verb as a noun. For example, {{nihongo krt|'''Singing''' at karaoke is fun!|カラオケで'''歌うの'''は楽しい！|karaoke de '''utau no''' wa tanoshii!}}.

==Negative==

The '''[[Affirmation and negation|negative form]]''' is broadly equivalent to the English word "not".{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=190-191|loc="Lesson 8, Grammar 1: Short Forms"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Negative form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''don't drink''' alcohol.
| {{nihongo krt||お酒は'''飲まない'''|osake wa '''nomanai'''}}
| assumption to continue inaction
|-
| I '''won't brush''' my teeth.
| {{nihongo krt||歯を'''磨かない'''|ha o '''migakanai'''}}
| immediate inaction
|-
| I '''won't work''' tomorrow.
| {{nihongo krt||明日'''働かない'''|ashita '''hatarakanai'''}}
| future inaction
|}

===Negative: Conjugation table===
The negative form is created by using the [[#mizenkei|mizenkei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||ない|nai}} suffix.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Negative form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|あ}} row, then add {{lang|ja|ない}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ら}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not make|作らない|tsukuranai}}
|-
| style="background-color:#ffd;" | {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}} {{ref|negative1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#ffd;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|わ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#ffd;" | {{nihongo krt|not say|言わない|iwanai}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|た}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not carry|持たない|motanai}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|さ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not look for|探さない|sagasanai}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|ない}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not see|見ない|minai}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not begin|始めない|hajimenai}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|こ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not come|こない|konai}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not do|しない|shinai}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special conjugations
|-
| {{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜ま}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|せ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ん}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not|〜ません|-masen}} {{ref|negative2|[ii]}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special exceptions
|-
| {{nihongo krt|exist|ある|aru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ある}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ない}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not exist|ない|nai}}
|}

: {{note label|negative1|[i]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜う|-u}}, the "{{lang|ja|う}}" changes to {{nihongo krt||"わ"|wa}} in the negative conjugation. It does not change to {{nihongo krt||"あ"|a}}.
: {{note label|negative2|[ii]}} The negative [[#Perfective|past]] form of {{lang|ja|〜ます}} is {{nihongo krt|did not|〜ませんでした|-masen deshita}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

===Negative: Grammatical compatibility===
The negative form is compatible with the {{nihongo krt||～で|-de}} [[Japanese particles|particle]] for additional functions, such as requesting someone to cease/desist or joining a subordinate clause.

It is also compatible with [[Japanese adjectives#i-adjectives|''i''‑adjective]] inflections, since the {{nihongo krt||～ない|-nai}} suffix ends with {{nihongo krt||～い|-i}}.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Negative form: Grammatical compatibility example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| Please '''don't''' eat it.
| {{nihongo krt||食べない'''で'''下さい|tabenai '''de''' kudasai}}
| request to cease/desist
|-
| '''Without''' eating, I went to bed.
| {{nihongo krt||食べない'''で'''、寝た|tabenai '''de''', neta}}
| add a subordinate clause
|-
| I '''didn't''' talk.
| {{nihongo krt||話さな'''かった'''|hanasana'''katta'''}}
| ''i''‑adjective inflection <br /> <small>(example: negative past tense)</small>
|}

===Negative continuous===
The negative continuous form is created by using the mizenkei base, followed by the {{nihongo krt||〜ず|zu}} suffix; equivalent to replacing {{nihongo krt||〜ない|-nai}} with {{nihongo krt||〜ず|-zu}} in the [[#Negative: Conjugation table|table above]]. An exception is {{nihongo krt|to do|する|suru}}, which instead conjugates as {{nihongo krt|not doing|せず|sezu}}. In this form, the negative continuous cannot terminate a sentence. The verb has the "negative continuous tense" unless followed by the {{nihongo krt||に|ni}} particle, where its meaning changes to "without". The {{Transliteration|ja|-zuni}} form ({{lang|ja|〜ずに}}, without doing) is semantically interchangeable with {{nihongo3|without doing|〜ないで|[[#naide|-naide]]}}. However, {{Transliteration|ja|-zuni}} is only used in written Japanese or formal speech.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=271-273|loc="Main Entries: ~nai de 〜ないで"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=315-317|loc="Main Entries: -nu ぬ"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Negative continuous form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| '''While not eating''' breakfast, I went to work.
| {{nihongo krt||朝ごはんを'''食べず'''、仕事へ行った|asa gohan o '''tabezu''', shigoto e itta}}
| negative continuous
|-
| I went to work '''without eating''' breakfast.
| {{nihongo krt||朝ごはんを'''食べずに'''仕事へ行った|asa gohan o '''tabezu ni''' shigoto e itta}}
| without doing
|}

{{anchor|過去形|kakokei|完了形|kanryōkei|kanryokei}}

==Perfective==
The {{nihongo|'''[[perfective aspect|perfective form]]'''|[[:ja:過去形|過去形]]・[[:ja:完了形#日本語|完了形]]|kakokei / kanryōkei|also known as the ''"ta form", "past tense"'' and the ''"perfect tense"''}} is equivalent to the English ''"past tense"''.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|p=214|loc="Lesson 9, Grammar 1: Past Tense Short Forms"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Perfective form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''went''' to Japan.
| {{nihongo krt||日本に'''行った'''|nihon ni '''itta'''}}
| past tense
|-
| I '''practiced''' piano every day.
| {{nihongo krt||毎日ピアノの'''練習をした'''|mainichi piano no '''renshū o shita'''}}
| simple past
|}

===Perfective: Conjugation table===
The perfective form is created by using the [[#onbinkei|onbinkei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||た・だ|ta/da}} suffix. This conjugation pattern is more complex compared to other conjugations because the exact realization of the inflectional suffix—particularly in godan verbs—is based on the {{nihongo|[[euphony]]|音便|onbin}} of the verb stem. ''(See also: [[Japanese grammar#Euphonic changes (音便, onbin)|Euphonic changes]])''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2" | Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Perfective form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Various suffix-specific patterns</small>
|-
! {{lang|ja|る}}
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|った}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|made|作った|tsukutta}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|う}}
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|った}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|said|言った|itta}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|つ}}
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|った}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|carried|持った|motta}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|す}}
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|した}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|looked for|探した|sagashita}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|く}}
| {{nihongo krt|put|置く|oku}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|置}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|く}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|いた}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|had put|置いた|oita}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|ぐ}}
| {{nihongo krt|swim|泳ぐ|oyogu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|泳}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|ぐ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|いだ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|swam|泳いだ|oyoida}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|ぶ}}
| {{nihongo krt|summon|呼ぶ|yobu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|呼}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|ぶ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|んだ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|summoned|呼んだ|yonda}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|む}}
| {{nihongo krt|rest|休む|yasumu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|休}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|む}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|んだ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|rested|休んだ|yasunda}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|ぬ}}
| {{nihongo krt|die|死ぬ|shinu}} {{ref|perfective1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|死}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|ぬ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|んだ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|died|死んだ|shinda}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|た}}</small>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|saw|見た|mita}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|began|始めた|hajimeta}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" | Irregular verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〇〜}} kana to the {{lang|ja|い}} row, remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|た}}</small>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|き}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|came|きた|kita}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|did it|した|shita}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Special conjugations
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜ま}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|did|〜ました|-mashita}} {{ref|perfective2|[ii]}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|not|〜ない|-nai}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜な}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|い}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|かった}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|did not|〜なかった|-nakatta}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Special exceptions
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|go|行く|iku}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|行}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|く}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|った}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|went|行った|itta}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|ask/blame|問う|tou}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|問う}} + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|asked/blamed|問うた|touta}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|beg|請う|kou}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|請う}} + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|た}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|begged|請うた|kouta}}
|}

: {{note label|perfective1|[i]}} {{nihongo krt|to die|死ぬ|shinu}} is the only verb with the {{nihongo krt||ぬ|nu}} suffix, in the entire Japanese vocabulary.
: {{note label|perfective2|[ii]}} The [[#Negative|negative]] perfective form of {{lang|ja|〜ます}} is {{nihongo krt|did not|〜ませんでした|-masen deshita}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

===Perfective: Grammatical compatibility===
The perfective form is compatible with:
* {{anchor|tari form|tari-tari form|tari-tari-suru form}} The "''tari'' form" (or "''tari‑tari'' form", also known as the "''tari‑tari‑suru'' form"), to describe a non‑exhaustive list of actions (similar to {{lang|ja|AやB}} describes a non‑exhaustive lists of objects). It uses {{nihongo krt||り|ri}} as the [[Conjunction (grammar)#Subordinating conjunctions|subordinate conjunction]].{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=259-260|loc="Lesson 11, Grammar 2: 〜たり〜たりする"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=458-461|loc="Main Entries: ~tari ~tari suru 〜たり〜たりする"}}
* {{anchor|tara form|tara conditional|past conditional}} The "''tara'' form" (or "past conditional"), to describe events that will happen as a result of completing something. It uses {{nihongo krt||ら|ra}} as the subordinate conjunction.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=119-121|loc="Lesson 17, Grammar 3: 〜たら"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=452-457|loc="Main Entries: ~tara 〜たら"}}
** It can be used to mean "if" or "when";
** It can also be used to reveal an unexpected outcome that happened in the past.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Perfective form: Grammatical compatibility example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I read a book, watched TV, '''etc.'''
| {{nihongo krt||本を読ん'''だり'''、テレビを見'''たり'''した|hon o yon'''dari''', terebi o mi'''tari''' shita}}
| non‑exhaustive list of actions
|-
| '''If''' I '''go''' to Japan, I want to see Mount Fuji.
| {{nihongo krt||日本に行っ'''たら'''、富士山が見たい|nihon ni it'''tara''', fuji san ga mitai}}
| if or when
|-
| '''When''' I '''went''' to the cafe, I came across Suzuki.
| {{nihongo krt||カフェに行っ'''たら'''、鈴木さんに会った|kafe ni it'''tara''', Suzuki-san ni atta}}
| unexpected past outcome
|}

{{anchor|て形|tekei}}

==''te'' form==
The {{nihongo|'''''te'' form'''|[[:ja:て形|て形]]|tekei}} allows verbs to function like [[Conjunction (grammar)|conjunctions]]. Similar to the word ''"and"'' in English, the ''te'' form connects clauses to make longer sentences. Conversely, as a sentence terminal, it functions as a casual instruction (like a gentle [[#Imperative|imperative command]]). Finally, the ''te'' form attaches to a myriad of [[auxiliary verb]]s for various purposes.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=150-151|loc="Lesson 6, Grammar 1: Te-form"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=464-467|loc="Main Entries: -te て"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | ''te'' form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| {{color|#666|''(I will eat breakfast. I will go to school.)''}} <br /> I will eat breakfast '''and''' go to school.
| {{color|#666|{{nihongo krt||朝ごはんを食べる。学校に行く。|asagohan o taberu. gakkō ni iku.}}}} <br /> {{nihongo krt||朝ごはんを食べ'''て'''学校に行く|asagohan o tabe'''te''' gakkō ni iku}}
| conjunction
|-
| Please '''eat'''.
| {{nihongo krt||食べ'''て'''|tabe'''te'''}}
| gentle instruction
|-
| I '''am''' wait'''ing'''.
| {{nihongo krt||待っ'''ている'''|mat'''te iru'''}}
| auxiliary verb <br /> <small>(example: present-continuous)</small>
|}

There are limitations where the ''te'' form cannot be used to conjugate between pairs of verbs (such as when two verbs are unrelated) and the [[#Conjunctive|conjunctive form]] is used instead.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=556-560|loc="Main Entries: Vmasu"}} {{See below|{{section link||Conjunctive form vs te form}}, below}}

===''te'' form: Conjugation table===
The ''te'' form is created by using the [[#onbinkei|onbinkei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||て・で|te/de}} suffix. Just like the [[#Perfective|perfective form]], this conjugation pattern is more complex compared to other conjugations because the exact realization of the inflectional suffix—particularly in godan verbs—is based on the {{nihongo|[[euphony]]|音便|onbin}} of the verb stem. ''(See also: [[Japanese grammar#Euphonic changes (音便, onbin)|Euphonic changes]])''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2" | Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! ''te'' form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Various suffix-specific patterns</small>
|-
! {{lang|ja|る}}
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|って}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|make and|作って|tsukutte}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|う}}
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|って}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|say and|言って|itte}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|つ}}
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|って}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|carry and|持って|motte}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|す}}
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|して}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|look for and|探して|sagashite}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|く}}
| {{nihongo krt|put|置く|oku}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|置}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|く}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|いて}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|put and|置いて|oite}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|ぐ}}
| {{nihongo krt|swim|泳ぐ|oyogu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|泳}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|ぐ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|いで}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|swim and|泳いで|oyoide}}
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|ぶ}}
| {{nihongo krt|summon|呼ぶ|yobu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|呼}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|ぶ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|んで}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|summon and|呼んで|yonde}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|む}}
| {{nihongo krt|rest|休む|yasumu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|休}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|む}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|んで}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|rest and|休んで|yasunde}}
|-
! {{lang|ja|ぬ}}
| {{nihongo krt|die|死ぬ|shinu}} {{ref|teform1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|死}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|ぬ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|んで}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|die and|死んで|shinde}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|て}}</small>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|see and|見て|mite}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|begin and|始めて|hajimete}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" | Irregular verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〇〜}} kana to the {{lang|ja|い}} row, remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|て}}</small>
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|き}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|come and|きて|kite}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|do it and|して|shite}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Special conjugations
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜ま}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|and|〜まして|-mashite}}
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|not|〜ない|-nai}} {{ref|teform2|[ii]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜ない}} + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|で}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|without and|〜ないで|-naide}}{{ref|teform3|[iii]}}
|-
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜な}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|い}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|くて}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|not and|〜なくて|-nakute}}{{ref|teform4|[iv]}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Special exceptions
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|go|行く|iku}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|行}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|く}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|って}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|go and|行って|itte}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|ask/blame|問う|tou}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|問う}} + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|ask/blame and|問うて|toute}}
|-
| colspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|beg|請う|kou}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|請う}} + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|beg and|請うて|koute}}
|}

: {{note label|teform1|[i]}} {{nihongo krt|to die|死ぬ|shinu}} is the only verb with the {{nihongo krt||ぬ|nu}} suffix, in the entire Japanese vocabulary.
: {{note label|teform2|[ii]}} This conjugation is not reciprocated in the perfective form; the past tense of {{nihongo krt||ない|-nai}} is {{nihongo krt|was not|なかった|-nakatta}}.
: {{note label|teform3|[iii]}} {{anchor|ないで|naide}} The {{nihongo krt||〜ないで|-nai de}} form is only grammatical with verbs. It is used to emphasize negation, or otherwise used as an imperative if an auxiliary follows, e.g. {{nihongo krt|'''Please''' don't...|〜ないで'''下さい'''|-nai de '''kudasai'''}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=271-273|loc="Main Entries: ~nai de 〜ないで"}}
: {{note label|teform4|[iv]}} The {{nihongo krt||〜なくて|-nakute}} form is grammatical with adjectives and [[#Copula: da and desu|copula]], but also with verbs when expressing a consequential human emotion or contradiction.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=271-273|loc="Main Entries: ~nai de 〜ないで"}}

===''te'' form: Grammatical compatibility===
The ''te'' form is compatible with [[Japanese particles|particles]] for additional functions, such as giving permission or expressing prohibition.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|p=152|loc="Lesson 6, Grammar 4: 〜てもいいです, Grammar 5: 〜てはいけません"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=464-467|loc="Main Entries: -te て"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | ''te'' form: Particle example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| It's '''okay to''' eat here.
| {{nihongo krt||ここで食べて'''もいい'''|koko de tabete '''mo ii'''}}
| permission
|-
| You '''must not''' eat here.
| {{nihongo krt||ここで食べて'''はいけない'''|koko de tabete '''wa ikenai'''}}
| prohibition
|}

{{anchor|te form: Auxiliary verbs}}
The ''te'' form is also compatible with an extensive list of [[auxiliary verb]]s. These auxiliary verbs are attached after the {{lang|ja|〜て}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|p=593|loc="Appendix 4 Connection Forms of Important Expressions: F. Vte+__"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | ''te'' form: Auxiliary verb example sentences
|-
! Aux.
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜いる}}
| I'm carry'''ing''' the bag.
| {{nihongo krt||鞄を持っ'''ている'''|kaban o mot'''te iru'''}} {{ref|teform5|[v]}}
| [[Continuous and progressive aspects#Japanese|continuous action]]
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜ある}}
| Some Arabic letters '''are''' writ'''ten''' here.
| {{nihongo krt||ここにアラビア文字が書い'''てある'''|koko ni arabia moji ga kai'''te aru'''}}
| completed and remains to be
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜おく}}
| I'll '''make''' a sandwich '''for later'''.
| {{nihongo krt||サンドイッチを'''作っておく'''|sandoitchi o '''tsukutte oku'''}} {{ref|teform6|[vi]}}
| prepare for future
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜みる}}
| I'll '''try to climb''' Mount Everest.
| {{nihongo krt||エベレスト山に'''登ってみる'''|eberesuto san ni '''nobotte miru'''}}
| attempt
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜しまう}}
| {{color|#666|''(I '''ate'''.)''}} <br /> I '''finished''' eat'''ing'''.
| {{color|#666|{{nihongo krt||(食べ'''た''')|tabe'''ta'''}}}} <br /> {{nihongo krt||食べ'''てしまった'''|tabe'''te shimatta'''}}
| emphasize completion
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
! {{lang|ja|＊ちゃう}}
| I '''accidentally''' forgot my smartphone!
| {{nihongo krt||スマホ忘れ'''ちゃった'''！|sumaho wasure '''chatta'''!}} {{ref|teform7|[vii]}}
| accident/regret

|}

: {{note label|teform5|[v]}} Colloquially, the {{nihongo krt||い|i}} is dropped. For example, {{nihongo krt||持って'''い'''る|motte '''i'''ru}} becomes {{nihongo krt||持ってる|motte ru}}.
: {{note label|teform6|[vi]}} Colloquially, {{nihongo krt||てお〜|te o-}} undergoes morpheme fusion, becoming {{nihongo krt||と〜|to-}}. For example, {{nihongo krt||作っ'''てお'''く|tsukut'''te o'''ku}} becomes {{nihongo krt||作っ'''と'''く|tsukut'''to'''ku}}.
: {{note label|teform7|[vii]}} In this case, {{lang|ja|て}} is dropped rather than being attached to {{lang|ja|ちゃう}}. This is because {{nihongo krt||'''ちゃ'''う|'''cha'''u}} is a morpheme fusion of {{nihongo krt||'''ちま'''う|'''chima'''u}}, which itself is a morpheme fusion of {{nihongo krt||'''て'''しまう|'''te shi'''mau}}. Similarly, {{nihongo krt||で|de}} is also dropped when attaching to {{nihongo krt||じゃう|jau}} and {{nihongo krt||じまう|jimau}}, which are the morpheme fusions of {{nihongo krt||'''で'''しまう|'''de''' shimau}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=403-406|loc="Main Entries: shimau しまう"}}

{{anchor|te form: Requests}}
Finally, the ''te'' form is necessary for making [[Honorific speech in Japanese#Requests|polite requests]] with {{nihongo krt||下さる|kudasaru}} and {{nihongo krt||くれる|kureru}}. These honorific words are attached with their imperative forms {{nihongo krt||〜下さい|-kudasai}} and {{nihongo krt||〜くれ|-kure}}, which is more socially proper than using the [[#Imperative|true imperative]].{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|p=151|loc="Lesson 6, Grammar 2: 〜てください"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|p=593|loc="Appendix 4 Connection Forms of Important Expressions: F. Vte+__"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | ''te'' form: Request example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| Please lend me the book.
| {{nihongo krt||本を貸して'''下さい'''|hon o kashite '''kudasai'''}}
| polite request
|-
| Will you lend me the book?
| {{nihongo krt||本を貸して'''くれない'''？|hon o kashite '''kurenai'''?}}
| plain request
|}

===''te'' form: Advanced usage===
During speech, the speaker may terminate a sentence in the ''te'' form but slightly lengthen the vowel sound as a natural pause: {{nihongo krt||てぇ|te...}}. Similar to when a sentence ends with "so..." in English, this serves as a social cue that can:
* give the listener a moment to process;
* indicate the speaker is not finished speaking;
* seek permission from the listener to continue;
* imply that the listener should infer the remainder of the sentence.

Another usage of the ''te'' form is, just as with English, the order of clauses may be reversed to create emphasis. However, unlike in English, the sentence will terminate on the te form (rather than between clauses).

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | ''te'' form: Advanced usage example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I'll go to the pharmacy '''and''' buy medicine.
| {{nihongo krt||薬局へ行っ'''て'''薬を買う|yakkyoku e it'''te''' kusuri o kau}}
| typical conjunction
|-
| I'll buy medicine, '''by''' going to the pharmacy
| {{nihongo krt||薬を買う。薬局へ行って|kusuri o kau. yakkyoku e it'''te'''}}
| reversed conjunction
|}

==Conjunctive==
The '''conjunctive form''' (also known as the ''"stem form", "masu form", "i form"'' and the ''"continuative form"''){{sfn|Tofugu: Stem Form}} functions like an intermediate conjugation; it requires an auxiliary verb to be attached since the conjunctive form is rarely used in isolation. It can also function to link separate clauses (hence the name "[[Conjunction (grammar)|conjunctive]]") in a similar way to the [[#te form|''te'' form]] above; however usage of the conjunctive form as a conjunction [[#Conjunctive: Advanced usage|has restrictions]]. The conjunctive form can function as a [[gerund]] (a verb functioning as a noun) without the need for [[Nominalization#Japanese|nominalizers]], although permissible use cases are limited.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=589-590|loc="Appendix 4 Connection Forms of Important Expressions: B. Vmasu+__"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=556-560|loc="Main Entries: Vmasu"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=561-563|loc="Main Entries: Vmasu as a Noun"}}{{sfn|Kim|2017|loc="Polite Form and Verb Stems"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conjunctive form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I'll '''meet''' the customer.
| {{nihongo krt||お客様に'''会います'''|okyakusama ni '''aimasu'''}}
| polite language
|-
| I '''want to win''' the game.
| {{nihongo krt||試合に'''勝ちたい'''|shiai ni '''kachitai'''}}
| auxiliary verb <br> <small>(example: desire)</small>
|-
| I'll go '''to see''' a movie.
| {{nihongo krt|| 映画を'''見に'''行く|eiga o '''mi ni''' iku}}
| particle <br> <small>(example: purpose)</small>
|-
| We're about to '''change''' trains. <br /> Don't forget your '''shopping'''!
| {{nihongo krt||まもなく列車を'''乗り換える'''よ。|mamonaku ressha o '''norikaeru''' yo.}} <br /> {{nihongo krt||'''買い物'''を忘れるな！|'''kaimono''' o wasureru na!}}
| compound words
|}

===Conjunctive: Conjugation table===
The conjunctive form uses the [[#ren'yōkei|ren'yōkei base]]. It is one of the simplest conjugation patterns due to its lack of irregular conjugations. It does have an additional case for certain [[Honorific speech in Japanese|honorific verbs]], but even those follow a consistent conjugation pattern.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Conjunctive form {{ref|conjunctive1|[i]}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|い}} row</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|り}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|making|作り|tsukuri}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|い}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|saying|言い|ii}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ち}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|carrying|持ち|mochi}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|looking for|探し|sagashi}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|seeing|見|mi}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|beginning|始め|hajime}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Irregular verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〇〜}} kana to the {{lang|ja|い}} row, then remove {{lang|ja|る}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|き}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|coming|き|ki}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|doing|し|shi}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | [[Honorific speech in Japanese|Honorific verbs]]
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|い}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|give|下さる|kudasaru}} {{ref|conjunctive2|[ii]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|下さ}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|い}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|giving|下さい|kudasai}}
|}

: {{note label|conjunctive1|[i]}} The English translations use the ''"-ing"'' suffix for nominalization. Therefore, they are nouns, not [[present continuous]] verbs.
: {{note label|conjunctive2|[ii]}} Other honorific words, such as {{nihongo krt|to be|ござる|gozaru}}, {{nihongo krt|to come/go|いらっしゃる|irassharu}} and {{nihongo krt|to do|なさる|nasaru}}, also conjugate with this pattern.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

===Conjunctive: Grammatical compatibility===
{{anchor|Conjunctive: Particles}}
The conjunctive form is compatible with [[Japanese particles|particles]] for additional functions, such as expressing purpose{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=297-299|loc="Main Entries: ni<sup>5</sup> に"}} or a firm avoidance.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=564-567|loc="Main Entries: wa は"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conjunctive form: Particle example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I'll go to Hiroshima '''to see''' the Itsukushima shrine.
| {{nihongo krt||厳島神社を'''見に'''広島へ行く|itsukushima jinja o '''mi ni''' hiroshima e iku}}
| purpose
|-
| I '''won't talk'''.
| {{nihongo krt||'''話しはしない'''|'''hanashi wa shinai'''}}
| firm avoidance
|}

{{anchor|Conjunctive: Auxiliary verbs}}
The conjunctive form is also compatible with an extensive list of [[auxiliary verb]]s.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=589-590|loc="Appendix 4 Connection Forms of Important Expressions: B. Vmasu+__"}} One of which, {{nihongo krt||ます|masu}}, has highly irregular inflections.{{sfn|Kamermans|2010|p=70|loc="Verb grammar — § 2.3 Noun inflection"}}{{sfn|Kamiya|2001|p=36|loc="Auxiliaries"}}{{sfn|McClain|1981|p=13|loc="Conjugation of Suffix masu ます"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conjunctive form: Auxiliary verb example sentences
|-
! Aux.
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜ます}}
| I'll '''write''' a letter.
| {{nihongo krt||手紙を'''書きます'''|tegami o '''kakimasu'''}}
| polite language
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜たい}}
| I '''want to buy''' a new computer.
| {{nihongo krt||新しいパソコンを'''買いたい'''|atarashii pasokon o '''kai tai'''}}
| desire
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜易い}}
| It's '''easy to learn''' mathematics.
| {{nihongo krt||数学が'''学び易い'''|sūgaku ga '''manabi yasui'''}}
| easy to do
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜難い}}
| It's '''hard to understand''' classical literature.
| {{nihongo krt||古典文学が'''分かり難い'''|koten bungaku ga '''wakari nikui'''}}
| difficult to do
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜過ぎる}}
| I '''drink too much''' alcohol.
| {{nihongo krt||お酒を'''飲み過ぎる'''|o sake o '''nomi sugiru'''}}
| excessiveness
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜ながら}}
| I'll drink coffee '''while walking''' to the station.
| {{nihongo krt||駅に向かって'''歩きながら'''コーヒーを飲む|eki ni mukatte '''aruki nagara''' kōhii o nomu}}
| simultaneous action
|-
! {{lang|ja|〜なさい}}
| '''Write''' your name here.
| {{nihongo krt||ここに名前を'''書きなさい'''|koko ni namae o '''kaki nasai'''}}
| polite imperative
|}

===Conjunctive: Advanced usage===
{{anchor|Conjunctive form vs te form}}
The conjunctive form, like the [[#te form|''te'' form]], connects clauses in a similar way to how "and" does in English. However, the conjunctive and ''te'' forms are not usually interchangeable, and each form fulfills specific grammatical purposes. When a pair of verbs have a strong connection in context, only the ''te'' form can bridge them. When a pair of verbs are not directly related but happen during a shared period of time, only the conjunctive form can bridge them. Furthermore, if a pair of verbs are both controllable or uncontrollable in nature, the ''te'' form must bridge them; otherwise, when a verb is controllable whilst the other verb is uncontrollable, the conjunctive form must bridge them. Finally, the ''te'' and conjunctive forms are interchangeable if additional information is included between the verbs.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=556-560|loc="Main Entries: Vmasu"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=464-467|loc="Main Entries: -te て"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conjunctive: Conjunctive form vs ''te'' form
|-
! Permissible
! English
! Japanese
! Relationship between verbs
|-
! ''te'' form
| I'll '''go''' to the department store '''and''' do some '''shopping'''.
| {{lang|ja|デパートへ'''行って'''、'''買い物をする'''}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|depāto e '''itte''', '''kaimono o suru'''}}
| closely related
|-
! ''te'' form
| I'll '''meet''' my friend '''and ask''' about their holiday.
| {{lang|ja|友達に'''会って'''、休みのことを'''尋ねる'''}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|tomodachi ni '''atte''', yasumi no koto o '''tazuneru'''}}
| both controllable
|-
! ''te'' form
| The ground '''shook''' so much in the earthquake '''that''' I '''couldn't stand up'''.
| {{lang|ja|地震で地面がすごく'''揺れて'''、'''立てなかった'''}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|jishin de jimen ga sugoku '''yurete''', '''tatenakatta'''}}
| both uncontrollable
|-
! rowspan="2" | Interchangeable
| rowspan="2" | Can you '''open the fridge''' and '''get''' me the carrots from the lower right shelf?
| {{lang|ja|冷蔵庫を'''開けて'''、右下の棚から人参を'''取って'''くれない？}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|reizōko o '''akete''', migi shita no tana kara ninjin o '''totte''' kurenai?}}
| rowspan="2" | additional information<br />between them
|-
| {{lang|ja|冷蔵庫を'''開け'''、右下の棚から人参を'''取って'''くれない？}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|reizōko o '''ake''', migi shita no tana kara ninjin o '''totte''' kurenai?}}
|-
! Conjunctive form
| They were '''born''' in Japan '''and studied''' at a Japanese school.
| {{lang|ja|彼らは日本で'''生まれ'''、日本の学校で'''勉強した'''}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|karera wa nihon de '''umare''', nihon no gakkō de '''benkyō shita'''}}
| unrelated<br /><small>(birth is unrelated to studying)</small>
|-
! Conjunctive form
| It '''rained, so''' I '''used''' an umbrella.
| {{lang|ja|雨が'''降り'''、傘を'''使った'''}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|ame ga '''furi''', kasa o '''tsukatta'''}}
| uncontrollable + controllable
|}

In the case where the conjunctive form is interchangeable with the ''te'' form, there is a stylistic means where the conjunctive form is preferred. This avoids {{nihongo krt||「て...て...て...」|te...te...te...}} repetition, much like how English users might avoid saying "and...and...and...". In practice however, such a strategy is more readily accustomed to writing and more difficult to control in spoken conversation (where the ''te'' form is usually elected for every verb).{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|pp=556-560|loc="Main Entries: Vmasu"}}

{{anchor|Conjunctive: Compound words}}
Another common usage is to form compound words, specifically compound nouns and compound verbs. As for compound nouns, the conjunctive form attaches as a prefix to another noun. Compound verbs are formed in the same way, except the conjunctive form attaches to the imperfective form. This pattern can be used to express mutuality if a transitive verb attaches to {{nihongo krt|to unite|〜合う|-au}}.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1995|p=626|loc="Appendix 2 Compound Verbs"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conjunctive form: Compound word examples
|-
! colspan="2" |Verb <small>[conjunctive form]</small> + Noun/Verb <small>[imperfective form]</small>
! Compound
! [[Literal translation]]
! [[Sense-for-sense translation|Dynamic translation]]
! Function
|-
| {{nihongo krt|eating|食べ|tabe}}
| {{nihongo krt|thing|物|mono}}
! style="text-align:left;" | {{nihongo krt||'''食べ物'''|tabe mono}}
| style="text-align:center;" | "eating thing"
| style="text-align:center;" | ''food''
| compound noun
|-
| {{nihongo krt|cutting|切り|kiri}}
| {{nihongo krt|to separate|離す|hanasu}} 
! style="text-align:left;" | {{nihongo krt||'''切り離す'''|kiri hanasu}}
| style="text-align:center;" | "cutting and separating"
| style="text-align:center;" | ''to cut off''
| compound verb
|-
| {{nihongo krt|promise|誓い|chikai}}
| {{nihongo krt|to unite|合う|au}}
! style="text-align:left;" | {{nihongo krt||'''誓い合う'''|chikai au}}
| style="text-align:center;" | "promising and uniting"
| style="text-align:center;" | ''to promise each other''
| mutual verb
|}

The conjunctive form is also used in [[Honorific speech in Japanese|formal honorifics]], such as {{nihongo krt|"Please use this."|お使い下さい|o tsukai kudasai}}.

==Volitional==
The '''volitional form''' (also known as the ''"conjectural form", "tentative form", "presumptive form"'' and the ''"hortative form"'') is used to express speaker's will or intention (volitional), make an inclusive command or invitation (hortative or persuasive){{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=74-75|loc="Lesson 15, Grammar 1: Volitional Form"}} or to make a guess or supposition (presumptive).

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Volitional form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''will''' put off this task for later.
| {{nihongo krt||その仕事は後回しにし'''よう'''|sono shigoto wa atomawashi ni shi'''yō'''}}{{sfn|Digital Daijisen Dictionary: Yō}}
| personal volition
|-
| '''Let's''' go home!
| {{nihongo krt||帰'''ろう'''！|kae'''rō'''!}}
| inclusive command
|-
| '''Shall we''' eat outside?
| {{nihongo krt||外で食べ'''ようか'''？|soto de tabe'''yō ka'''?}}
| inclusive invitation
|-
| There will '''probably''' be many objections at the meeting.
| {{nihongo krt||会議では多くの反論が出され'''よう'''|kaigi de wa ōku no hanron ga dasare'''yō'''}}{{sfn|Digital Daijisen Dictionary: Yō}}
| making a guess or supposition
|}

===Volitional: Conjugation table===
The volitional form is created by using the [[#ishikei|ishikei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||う・よう|u/yō}} suffix. Phonetically, う is surfaced as {{nihongo krt||お|o}} in volitional form, unlike う in dictionary/imperfective form; for example, {{nihongo krt|to ask|問う|tou}} and {{nihongo krt|let's ask|問おう|toō}}.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Volitional form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|お}} row, then add {{lang|ja|う}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ろ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's make|作ろう|tsukurō}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|お}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's say|言おう|iō}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|と}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's carry|持とう|motō}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|そ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's look for|探そう|sagasō}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|よう}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|よう}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's see|見よう|miyō}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|よう}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's begin|始めよう|hajimeyō}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|こ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|よう}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's come back|こよう|koyō}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|し}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|よう}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's do it|しよう|shiyō}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special conjugations
|-
| {{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜ま}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|しょ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|let's|〜ましょう|-mashō}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|not|〜ない|-nai}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|な}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|い}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|かろ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|perhaps not exist|〜なかろう|-nakarō}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | [[Honorific speech in Japanese|Honorific verbs]]
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Change {{lang|ja|る}} to {{lang|ja|ろ}} then add {{lang|ja|う}}</small>
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | Honorific verbs {{ref|volitional1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#fee;" | {{lang|ja|〜}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ろ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|let's|〜ろう|-rō}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special exceptions
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|exist|ある|aru}} {{ref|volitional1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#fee;" | {{lang|ja|あ}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ろ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|う}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|probably exist|あろう|arō}}
|}

: {{note label|volitional1|[i]}} Theoretical conjugation only; it's unnatural and not usually used.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

===Volitional: Grammatical compatibility===
The volitional form is also used to describe intention {{nihongo krt||〜と思う|-to omou}}{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|p=75|loc="Lesson 15, Grammar 2: Volitional Form + と思っています"}} an attempt {{nihongo krt||〜とする|-to suru}} or an imminent action {{nihongo krt||〜としている|-to shite iru}}.{{sfn|Lampkin|2010|pp=14-40}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Volitional form: Particle example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''think''' I'm '''going to''' make a salad.
| {{nihongo krt||サラダを作'''ろうと思う'''|sarada o tsuku'''rō to omou'''}}
| intention
|-
| I'll '''try to''' go to bed early.
| {{nihongo krt||早く寝'''ようとする'''|hayaku ne'''yō to suru'''}}
| attempt
|-
| The dog is '''about to''' bark.
| {{nihongo krt||犬が吠え'''ようとしている'''|inu ga hoe'''yō to shite iru'''}}
| imminent action
|}

{{anchor|受身形|ukemikei}}

==Passive==
The {{nihongo|'''[[passive voice|passive form]]'''|[[:ja:受身形|受身形]]|ukemikei}} refocuses the verb as the target objective of a sentence; it emphasizes the ''action'' as the detail of importance. Although a sentence can include a specific subject enacting the passive verb, the subject is not required.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=33-35|loc="Characteristics of Japanese Grammar: 5. Passive"}} The passive voice can nuance neutrality, a regrettable action (''suffering passive'') or a means of [[Honorific speech in Japanese|being respectful]].{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=210-212|loc="Lesson 21, Grammar 1: Passive Sentences"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Passive form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| This TV '''was made''' by Toshiba.
| {{nihongo krt||このテレビは東芝によって'''作られた'''|kono terebi wa Toshiba ni yotte '''tsukurareta'''}}
| neutrality
|-
| My beer '''was drunk''' by a friend.
| {{nihongo krt||私は友達にビールを'''飲まれた'''|watashi wa tomodachi ni biiru o '''nomareta'''}}
| regrettable action
|-
| Where are you '''going'''?
| {{nihongo krt||どちらへ'''行かれ'''ますか|dochira e '''ikaremasu''' ka}}
| respectful language
|}

===Passive: Conjugation table===
The passive form is created by using the [[#mizenkei|mizenkei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||れる・られる|reru/rareru}} suffix. For ichidan verbs and {{nihongo krt||来る|kuru}}, the passive form and the [[#Potential|potential form]] have an identical conjugation pattern with the same {{nihongo krt||られる|rareru}} suffix. This makes it impossible to distinguish whether an ichidan verb adopts a passive or potential function without [[Context (language use)|contextual information]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Passive form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|あ}} row, then add {{lang|ja|れる}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}} {{ref|passive1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ら}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|be made|作られる|tsukurareru}}
|-
| style="background-color:#ffd;" | {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}} {{ref|passive2|[ii]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#ffd;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|わ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れる}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#ffd;" | {{nihongo krt|be said|言われる|iwareru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|た}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|be carried|持たれる|motareru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|さ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|be looked for|探される|sagasareru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|られる}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|られる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|be seen|見られる|mirareru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|られる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|have began|始められる|hajimerareru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|こ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|られる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|have come|こられる|korareru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|さ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|be done|される|sareru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | [[Honorific speech in Japanese|Honorific verbs]]
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Change {{lang|ja|る}} to {{lang|ja|ら}} then add {{lang|ja|れる}}</small>
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | Honorific verbs {{ref|passive3|[iii]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#fee;" | {{lang|ja|〜}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ら}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れる}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|be done|〜られる|-rareru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special exceptions
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|exist|ある|aru}}
| style="background-color:#fee;" colspan="2" | Does not conjugate.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
|}

: {{note label|passive1|[i]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜る|-ru}}, the passive conjugation is syncretic with ichidan verbs.
: {{note label|passive2|[ii]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜う|-u}}, the "{{lang|ja|う}}" changes to {{nihongo krt||"わ"|wa}} in the passive conjugation. It does not change to {{nihongo krt||"あ"|a}}.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=210-212|loc="Lesson 21, Grammar 1: Passive Sentences"}}
: {{note label|passive3|[iii]}} Theoretical conjugation only; it's unnatural and not usually used.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

===Passive: Grammatical compatibility===
After conjugating into the passive form, the verbs become ichidan verbs. They can therefore be further conjugated according to any ichidan pattern. For instance, a passive verb (e.g. {{nihongo krt|be said|言わ'''れる'''|iwa'''reru'''}}) can conjugate using the ichidan pattern for the {{nihongo|[[#te form|''te'' form]]|て形|te kei}} to join sequential statements ({{nihongo krt||言わ'''れて'''|iwa'''rete'''}}), or the [[#Conjunctive|conjunctive form]] to append the polite {{nihongo||〜ます|-masu}} auxiliary verb ({{nihongo krt||言わ'''れます'''|iwa'''remasu'''}}).

{{anchor|使役形|shiekikei}}

==Causative==
The {{nihongo|'''[[Causative voice|causative form]]'''|[[:ja:使役形|使役形]]|shiekikei}} is used to express that a subject was forced or allowed to do something.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=232-233|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 1: Causative Sentences"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Causative form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''make''' them '''work hard'''.
| {{nihongo krt||'''頑張らせる'''|ganbara'''seru'''}}
| forced to
|-
| I '''let''' them '''play''' outside.
| {{nihongo krt||外で'''遊ばせる'''|soto de asoba'''seru'''}}
| allowed to
|-
| The baseball coach '''made''' the players '''exercise'''.
| {{nihongo krt||野球のコーチは選手達に'''練習させた'''|yakyū no kōchi wa senshu tachi ni '''renshū saseta'''}}{{ref|causative1|[i]}}
| forced to by
|}

: {{note label|causative1|[i]}} The director causing the action can be specified with the {{nihongo krt ||は|wa}} or {{nihongo krt ||が|ga}} [[Japanese particles|particle]], whilst the people forced to do the action are specified with the {{nihongo krt ||に|ni}} particle.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=232-233|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 1: Causative Sentences"}}

===Causative: Conjugation table===
The causative form is created by using the [[#mizenkei|mizenkei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||せる・させる|seru/saseru}} suffix.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Causative form {{ref|causative2|[ii]}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|あ}} row, then add {{lang|ja|せる}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ら}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|せる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to make|作らせる|tsukuraseru}}
|-
| style="background-color:#ffd;" | {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}} {{ref|causative3|[iii]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#ffd;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|わ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|せる}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#ffd;" | {{nihongo krt|cause to say|言わせる|iwaseru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|た}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|せる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to carry|持たせる|motaseru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|さ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|せる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to look for|探させる|sagasaseru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|させる}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|させる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to see, show|見させる|misaseru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|させる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to begin|始めさせる|hajimesaseru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|こ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|させる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to come|こさせる|kosaseru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|さ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|せる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|cause to do|させる|saseru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | [[Honorific speech in Japanese|Honorific verbs]]
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Change {{lang|ja|る}} to {{lang|ja|ら}} then add {{lang|ja|せる}}</small>
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | Honorific verbs {{ref|causative4|[iv]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#fee;" | {{lang|ja|〜}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|ら}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|せる}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|cause to|〜らせる|-raseru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special exceptions
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|exist|ある|aru}}
| style="background-color:#fee;" colspan="2" | Does not conjugate.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
|}

: {{note label|causative2|[ii]}} The causative form has a shortened variation, where the {{nihongo krt||〜せる|-seru}} suffix undergoes morpheme fusion and becomes {{nihongo krt||〜す|-su}}; however, the short form is less commonly used than the standard conjugation.{{sfn|Tofugu: 〜させる (Causative)}}
: {{note label|causative3|[iii]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜う|-u}}, the "{{lang|ja|う}}" changes to {{nihongo krt||"わ"|wa}} in the causative conjugation. It does not change to {{nihongo krt||"あ"|a}}.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=232-233|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 1: Causative Sentences"}}
: {{note label|causative4|[iv]}} Theoretical conjugation only; it's unnatural and not usually used.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}

===Causative: Grammatical compatibility===
After conjugating into the causative form, the verbs become ichidan verbs. They can therefore be further conjugated according to any ichidan pattern. For instance, a causative verb (e.g. {{nihongo krt|caused to say|言わ'''せる'''|iwa'''seru'''}}) can conjugate using the ichidan pattern for the {{nihongo|[[#te form|''te'' form]]|て形|te kei}} to join sequential statements ({{nihongo krt||言わ'''せて'''|iwa'''sete'''}}), or the [[#Conjunctive|conjunctive form]] to append the polite {{nihongo||〜ます|-masu}} auxiliary verb ({{nihongo krt||言わ'''せます'''|iwa'''semasu'''}}).

===Causative passive===
The causative passive form expresses that a reluctant subject was positioned (or forced) into doing something they would rather avoid. The causative passive form is obtained by conjugating a verb into its causative form and further conjugating it into the passive form. However, because words such as {{nihongo krt||待たせられる|mataserareru}} are considered difficult to pronounce, the conjugational suffix is often contracted in colloquial speech. Specific to godan verbs only, the {{nihongo krt||せら〜|'''s'''er'''a'''-|from {{lang|ja|'''せら'''れる}}}} contracts into {{nihongo krt||さ〜|sa-}}.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=254-255|loc="Lesson 23, Grammar 1: Causative-passive Sentences"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Causative passive form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I'm '''made to''' study by my parents.
| {{nihongo krt||両親に勉強'''させられる'''|ryōshin ni benkyō '''saserareru'''}}
| formal
|-
| I'm '''made to''' wait.
| {{nihongo krt||待'''たされる'''|ma'''tasareru'''}}
| colloquial present
|-
| I was '''made to''' buy something.
| {{nihongo krt||買'''わされた'''|ka'''wasareta'''}}
| colloquial past
|}

==Imperative==
The '''imperative form''' functions as firm instructions do in English. It is used to give orders to subordinates (such as within military ranks, or towards pet animals) and to give direct instructions within intimate relationships (for example, within family or close friends). When directed towards a collective rather than an individual, the imperative form is used for mandatory action or motivational speech.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|p=234|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 3: Verb Stem + なさい"}} The imperative form is also used in ''[[Indirect speech|reported speech]]''.

{| class="wikitable floatleft"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Imperative form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| {{color|#666|'''To a pet dog:'''}} '''Sit!'''
| {{nihongo krt||'''座れ！'''|'''suware!'''}}
| giving orders
|-
| {{color|#666|'''Traffic signage:'''}} '''STOP'''
| {{nihongo krt||'''止まれ'''|'''tomare'''}}
| mandatory action
|-
| '''Do your best!'''
| {{nihongo krt||'''頑張れ！'''|'''ganbare!'''}}
| motivation speech
|-
| {{color|#666|'''Direct speech:''' "Please begin."}} <br /> I was told to '''begin'''.
| {{color|#666|{{nihongo krt||'''直接話法：'''「始めて下さい」|'''chokusetsu wahō''': "hajimete kudasai"}}}} <br /> {{nihongo krt||'''始めろ'''と言われた|'''hajimero''' to iwareta}}
| reported speech
|}

[[File:Stop sign 202412, Machida.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|{{lang|ja|止まれ}} STOP signs in Japan use the imperative form of {{nihongo krt|to stop|止まる}} to command mandatory action.]]{{clear|left}}

However, the imperative form is perceived as confrontational or aggressive when used for commands; instead, it is more common to use the [[#te form|''te'' form]] (with or without the {{nihongo krt|please do|〜下さい|-kudasai}} suffix), or the conjunctive form's [[#Conjunctive: Auxiliary verbs|polite imperative suffix]], {{nihongo krt||〜なさい|-nasai}}.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|p=234|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 3: Verb Stem + なさい"}}

===Imperative: Conjugation table===
The imperative form uses the [[#meireikei|meireikei base]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! colspan="2" | Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Imperative form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="3" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|え}} row</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|make it|作れ|tsukure}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|え}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|say it|言え|ie}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|て}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|carry it|持て|mote}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|せ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|look for it|探せ|sagase}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="3" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|ろ}} or {{lang|ja|よ}}</small>{{ref|imperative1|[i]}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' +
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ろ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|see it|見ろ|miro||<small>[spoken]</small>}}
|-
| style="text-align:right;"| '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|よ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|see it|見よ|miyo||<small>[written]</small>}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" rowspan="2" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' +
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ろ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|begin it|始めろ|hajimero||<small>[spoken]</small>}}
|-
| style="text-align:right;"| '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|よ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|begin it|始めよ|hajimeyo||<small>[written]</small>}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|くる}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|こい}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|do come|こい|koi}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}{{ref|imperative1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;" rowspan="2" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|する}}}}''' →
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|しろ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|do it|しろ|shiro||<small>[spoken]</small>}}
|-
| style="text-align:right;"| '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|せよ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|do it|せよ|seyo||<small>[written]</small>}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Special conjugations
|-
| {{nihongo krt||〜ます|-masu}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|〜ま}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|せ}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|do|〜ませ|-mase}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | [[Honorific speech in Japanese|Honorific verbs]]
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="3" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|い}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|give|下さる|kudasaru}}
| style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|下さ}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|い}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|give it|下さい|kudasai}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="4" | Special exceptions
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|exist|ある|aru}} {{ref|imperative2|[ii]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#fee;" colspan="2" | {{lang|ja|あ}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|do exist|あれ|are}}
|}

: {{note label|imperative1|[i]}} {{nihongo krt||〜ろ|-ro}} has been characterized as used for speech, while {{nihongo krt||〜よ|-yo}} as used for writing.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|p=578|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs: Footnote 7)}} In actuality, this corresponds to a difference between {{nihongo|modern Japanese|口語|kōgo|{{lit|oral language}}}}, the modern form of Japanese, and {{nihongo|[[Classical Japanese]]|文語|bungo|{{lit|literary language}}}}, various stages of premodern Japanese used exclusively in writing. However, the difference between ''-ro'' and ''-yo'' forms is actually a dialectal one: ''-ro'' is characteristic of [[Kantō region|Kantō]] (eastern Japan), and ''-yo'' is of [[Kansai region|Kansai]] (western Japan).<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:日本語文法大辞典|last=Yamaguchi|first=Akiho|last2=Akiyama|first2=Hideaki|publisher=Meiji Shoin|date=15 March 2001|isbn=4-625-40300-6|script-chapter=ja:命令形|p=777}}</ref> Both ''-ro'' and ''-yo'' were interjectional [[Japanese particles|particles]] in [[Old Japanese]],{{sfnp|Frellesvig|2010|pp=133,154}}{{efn|The author uses the term "central" rather than "western" for the once capital [[Nara (city)|Nara]], now located in Kansai.}} and were sometimes optional, sometimes obligatory with non-''godan'' verbs. ''-yo'' became obligatory with non-''godan'' verbs toward [[Early Middle Japanese]], during which its variant ''-i'' arose{{sfnp|Frellesvig|2010|p=227}} (compare the alternative forms of {{nihongo||良い|joi/ii}}, {{nihongo||言う|yuu/iu}} and {{nihongo||行く|yuku/iku}}). Historically, {{nihongo||見よ・見ろ|mi-yo/mi-ro}}, {{nihongo||起きよ・起きろ|oki-yo/oki-ro}}, {{nihongo||蹴よ・蹴い・蹴ろ|ke-yo/ke-i/ke-ro}}, {{nihongo||開けよ・開けい・開けろ|ake-yo/ake-i/ake-ro}} (all ''ichidan''), {{nihongo||せよ・せい・せろ|se-yo/se-i/se-ro|''suru''}} and {{nihongo||来よ・来い・来ろ|ko-yo/ko-i/ko-ro|''kuru''}} were theoretically all possible,{{sfnp|Frellesvig|2010|pp=345–346}} with ''-yo'' and ''-i'' being the prestigious western forms, and ''-ro'' being the less documented eastern form. The division between western ''-yo''/''-i'' and eastern ''-ro'' still exists today.<ref>{{cite book|last=Abe|first=Seiya|chapter=The classification and division of Japanese dialects|title=Handbook of Japanese Dialects|series=Handbooks of Japanese Language and Linguistics|volume=7|publisher=De Gruyter Mouton|isbn=978-1-5015-0841-7|year=2025|pp=20,32}}</ref> In modern Tokyo Japanese (eastern), ''-yo'' largely displaced ''-ro'' in non-imperative contexts; ''-yo'' can be optionally added to modern imperative forms with no historical ''-yo'', as in {{nihongo||書けよ|kake-yo}}, {{nihongo||見ろよ|mi-ro-yo}}, {{nihongo||しろよ|shi-ro-yo}}, {{nihongo||来いよ|ko-i-yo}}.
: {{note label|imperative2|[ii]}} Theoretical conjugation only; it's unnatural and not usually used.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}} However, there exists the biblical phrase {{nihongo|''[[Let there be light]]''|[[w:ja:光あれ|光あれ]]|Hikari are}} where ''are'' is used a "command" to conjure up something.

Non‑volitional verbs, such as {{nihongo krt|to understand|分かる|wakaru}} and {{nihongo krt|to be able|できる|dekiru}}, have imperative forms (for these two verbs, {{nihongo krt||分かれ|wakare}} and {{nihongo krt||できろ|dekiro}}), but these appear to be relatively recent innovations, and usage may be limited to informal contexts.

==Potential==
The '''potential form''' describes the capability of doing something.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=27-28|loc="Lesson 13, Grammar 1: Potential Verbs"}} It is also used to ask favors from others, just as "Can you...?" does in English. However, unlike in English, the potential form does not request permission; the phrase {{nihongo krt|''"Can I eat this apple?"'' |この林檎が食べられる？|kono ringo ga taberareru?}} is always understood to mean ''"Do I have the ability to eat this apple?"'' or ''"Is this apple edible?"'' (but never ''"May I eat this apple?"'' ).

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Potential form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''can read''' Japanese.
| {{nihongo krt||日本語が'''読める'''|nihongo ga '''yomeru'''}}
| capability
|-
| '''Can you buy''' some coffee?
| {{nihongo krt||コーヒーが'''買える'''？|kōhii ga '''kaeru'''?}}
| requesting favors
|}

For transitive verbs, the potential form uses the {{nihongo krt||が|ga}} particle to mark direct objects, instead of the {{nihongo krt||を|o}} particle.

===Potential: Conjugation table===
The potential form is created by using the [[#kanōkei|kanōkei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||る・(ら)れる|ru/(ra)reru}} suffix. {{nihongo krt|to do|する|suru}} has its own suppletive potential form {{nihongo krt|can do|出来る|dekiru}}. For ichidan verbs and {{nihongo krt||来る|kuru}}, the potential form and the [[#Passive|passive form]] have an identical conjugation pattern with the same {{nihongo krt||られる|rareru}} suffix. This makes it impossible to distinguish whether an ichidan verb adopts a passive or potential function without [[Context (language use)|contextual information]].

However, in colloquial speech the {{nihongo krt||ら|ra}} is removed from {{nihongo krt||'''ら'''れる|rareru}} in a phenomenon known as {{nihongo krt||[[:ja:日本語の乱れ#ら抜き言葉|ら抜き言葉]]|ranuki kotoba}}.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=27-28|loc="Lesson 13, Grammar 1: Potential Verbs"}} For example, {{nihongo krt|can come|こ'''ら'''れる|korareru}} becomes {{nihongo krt||これる|koreru}}. This contraction is specific to the potential form, and is not reciprocated in the [[#Passive|passive form]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Potential form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|え}} row, then add {{lang|ja|る}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}} {{ref|potential1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can make|作れる|tsukureru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|え}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can say|言える|ieru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|て}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can carry|持てる|moteru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|せ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can look for|探せる|sagaseru}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! colspan="2" style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|(ら)れる}}</small> 
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|(ら)れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can see|見(ら)れる|mi(ra)reru}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" |  {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|(ら)れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can begin|始め(ら)れる|hajime(ra)reru}}
|-
! colspan="3" style="text-align:left;" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|く}}}}{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|こ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|(ら)れる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can come|こ(ら)れる|ko(ra)reru}} 
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|する}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|できる}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|can do|できる|dekiru}}
|-
! colspan="3" style="text-align:left;" | Special exceptions
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|understand|分かる|wakaru}} {{ref|potential2|[ii]}}
| style="text-align:right;background-color:#fee;" | {{lang|ja|分か}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|る}}}}'''
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|can understand|分かれる|wakareru}}
|-
| style="background-color:#fee;" | {{nihongo krt|exist|ある|aru}}
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#fee;" | Does not conjugate.{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
|}

: {{note label|potential1|[i]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜る|-ru}}, the potential conjugation is syncretic with the colloquial form of ichidan verbs.
: {{note label|potential2|[ii]}}Theoretical conjugation only; it's unnatural and not usually used. {{nihongo krt||分かる|wakaru}} expresses potential innately without having to conjugate it to the potential form.

===Potential: Grammatical compatibility===
After conjugating into the potential form, the verbs become ichidan verbs. They can therefore be further conjugated according to any ichidan pattern. For instance, a potential verb (e.g. {{nihongo krt|can say|言え'''る'''|ie'''ru'''}}) can conjugate using the ichidan pattern for the {{nihongo|[[#te form|''te'' form]]|て形|te kei}} to join sequential statements ({{nihongo krt||言え'''て'''|ie'''te'''}}), or the [[#Conjunctive|conjunctive form]] to append the polite {{nihongo||〜ます|-masu}} auxiliary verb ({{nihongo krt||言え'''ます'''|ie'''masu'''}}).

==Conditional==
The '''[[English conditional sentences|conditional form]]''' (also known as the ''"hypothetical form", "provisional form"'' and the ''"provisional conditional eba form"'') is broadly equivalent to the English conditionals "if..." or "when...". It describes a condition that provides a specific result, with emphasis on the condition.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020b|pp=234-235|loc="Lesson 22, Grammar 4: 〜ば"}} The conditional form is used to describe hypothetical scenarios or [[English conditional sentences#Zero conditional|general truths]].{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=81-83|loc="Main Entries: ba ば"}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conditional form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| '''If you see''' it, you'll understand.
| {{nihongo krt||'''見れば'''分かる|'''mireba''' wakaru}}
| hypothetical
|-
| '''When you multiply''' 3 by 4, it becomes 12.
| {{nihongo krt||3に4を'''掛ければ'''12になる|san ni yon o '''kakereba''' jūni ni naru}}
| general truths
|}

===Conditional: Conjugation table===
The conditional form is created by using the [[#kateikei|kateikei base]], followed by the {{nihongo krt||ば|ba}} suffix.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dictionary form
! Pattern {{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=576-579|loc="Appendix 1 Basic Conjugations" (Verbs)}}
! Conditional form
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Godan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Shift the {{lang|ja|〜〇}} kana to the {{lang|ja|え}} row, then add {{lang|ja|ば}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|make|作る|tsukuru}} {{ref|conditional1|[i]}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|作}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to make|作れば|tsukureba}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|say|言う|iu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|言}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|う}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|え}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to say|言えば|ieba}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|carry|持つ|motsu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|持}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|つ}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|て}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to carry|持てば|moteba}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|look for|探す|sagasu}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|探}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|す}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|せ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to look for|探せば|sagaseba}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" | Ichidan verbs
! style="text-align:left;font-weight:normal;" colspan="2" | <small>Remove {{lang|ja|る}} then add {{lang|ja|れば}}</small>
|-
| {{nihongo krt|see|見る|miru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|見}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to see|見れば|mireba}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|begin|始める|hajimeru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|始め}}'''{{color|#e66|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|れば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to begin|始めれば|hajimereba}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Irregular verbs
|-
| {{nihongo krt|come|来る|kuru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|来}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to come|来れば|kureba}}
|-
| {{nihongo krt|do|する|suru}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|す}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|る}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|れ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if to do|すれば|sureba}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;" colspan="3" | Special conjugations
|-
| {{nihongo krt|not|〜ない|-nai}}
| style="text-align:right;" | {{lang|ja|〜な}}'''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|い}}}}''' → '''{{color|#04b|{{lang|ja|けれ}}}}''' + '''{{color|#0a0|{{lang|ja|ば}}}}'''
| {{nihongo krt|if not|〜なければ|-nakereba}} {{ref|conditional2|[ii]}}
|}

: {{note label|conditional1|[i]}} For godan verbs ending in {{nihongo krt||〜る|-ru}}, the conditional conjugation is syncretic with ichidan verbs.
: {{note label|conditional2|[ii]}} Colloquially the {{nihongo krt||〜な'''ければ'''|-na'''kereba'''}} form is contracted to {{nihongo krt||〜な'''きゃ'''|-na'''kya'''}} or {{nihongo krt||〜な'''くちゃ'''|-na'''kucha'''}}, which comes from {{nihongo krt||〜なくては|-nakutewa}}. For example, {{nihongo krt||行かなければ|ikanakereba}} could become {{nihongo krt||行かなきゃ|ikanakya}} or {{nihongo krt||行かなくちゃ|ikanakucha}}.

===Conditional: Advanced usage===
In its {{nihongo|[[#Negative|negative conjugation]]|〜なければ|-nakereba}}, the conditional form can express obligation or insistence by attaching to {{nihongo krt|to not happen|〜ならない|-naranai}} or {{nihongo krt|to not happen <small>(polite)</small> |〜なりません|-narimasen}}. This pattern of grammar is a [[double negative]] which loosely translates to ''"to '''avoid''' that action, will '''not''' happen"''. Semantically cancelling out the negation becomes ''"to do that action, will happen"'' ; however the true meaning is ''"I must do that action"''.{{sfn|Banno et al.|2020a|pp=279-280|loc="Lesson 12, Grammar 5: 〜なければいけません/〜なきゃいけません"}}{{sfn|Makino & Tsutsui|1989|pp=274-276|loc="Main Entries: ~nakereba naranai 〜なければならない" (Must)}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align:left;" | Conditional form example sentences
|-
! English
! Japanese
! Function
|-
| I '''have to''' help.
| {{nihongo krt||手伝わ'''なければならない'''|tetsudawa'''nakereba naranai'''}}
| obligation
|-
| I '''must''' go to the dentist.
| {{nihongo krt||歯医者に行か'''なければならない'''|haisha ni ika'''nakereba naranai'''}}
| insistence
|-
| Your self‑introduction '''has to''' be in Japanese.
| {{nihongo krt||自己紹介は日本語で'''なければならない'''よ|jiko shoukai wa nihongo de'''nakereba naranai''' yo}}
| obligation / insistence
|}

==See also==
* [[Japanese godan and ichidan verbs]]
* [[Honorific speech in Japanese]]
* [[Japanese adjectives]]
* [[Japanese particles]]
* [[Japanese grammar]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
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* {{cite book |ref={{sfnRef|Banno et al.|2020b}} |last1=Banno |first1=Eri |last2=Ikeda |first2=Yoko |last3=Ohno |first3=Yutaka |last4=Shinagawa |first4=Chikako |last5=Tokashiki |first5=Kyoko |title=GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese II|date=2020 |publisher=The Japan Times |location=Tokyo, Japan |isbn=978-4-7890-1732-9 |edition=3}}
* {{cite book |last1=Chamberlain |first1=Basil Hall |title=A Handbook of Colloquial Japanese. |date=1888 |publisher=Trübner & Co. |location=London, England |edition=1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fLNDAAAAIAAJ |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906122829/https://books.google.com/books/download/A_Handbook_of_Colloquial_Japanese.pdf?id=fLNDAAAAIAAJ&output=pdf |archive-date=2021-09-06 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnRef|Digital Daijisen Dictionary: Onbinkei}} |title=Onbinkei (onbinkei) no imi (dejitaru daijisen) |script-title=ja:音便形（おんびんけい）の意味 (デジタル大辞泉) |trans-title=Meaning of euphonic change form (Digital Daijisen Dictionary) |url=https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E9%9F%B3%E4%BE%BF%E5%BD%A2/ |website=goo辞書 |publisher=株式会社小学館 |access-date=2021-06-13 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=ja |date=April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607151533/https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E9%9F%B3%E4%BE%BF%E5%BD%A2/ |archive-date=2021-06-07 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnRef|Digital Daijisen Dictionary: Yō}} |title=Yō no imi (dejitaru daijisen) |script-title=ja:ようの意味 (デジタル大辞泉) |trans-title=Meaning of yō (Digital Daijisen Dictionary) |url=https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%e3%82%88%e3%81%86/ |website=goo辞書 |publisher=株式会社小学館 |access-date=2021-05-21 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=ja |date=April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523143838/https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%e3%82%88%e3%81%86/ |archive-date=2021-05-23 |url-status=live}}
*{{Cite book | surname = Frellesvig | given = Bjarke | title = A History of the Japanese Language | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-0-521-65320-6 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Kamermans |first1=Michiel |title=An introduction to Japanese - Syntax, Grammar & Language |date=2010-03-15 |publisher=SJGR Publishing |location=Rotterdam, Netherlands |isbn=978-9081507110}}
* {{cite book |last1=Kamiya |first1=Taeko |title=The Handbook of Japanese Verbs |date=2001 |publisher=Kodansha International |location=Tokyo, Japan |isbn=978-4-7700-2683-5}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Tae |title=Polite Form and Verb Stems |url=http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/polite |website=Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese |access-date=2021-05-04 |date=2017-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310181148/http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/polite |archive-date=2021-03-10 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal |ref={{sfnRef|Koyanagi|2014}} |last1=小柳 |first1=智一 |title=Chūō-go ni okeru dōshi katsuyō no rekishi |script-title=ja:中央語における動詞活用の歴史 |trans-title=History of language verb conjugation in central Japan |journal=全国方言文法辞典資料集 |date=March 2014 |volume=2: 活用体系 |pages=20–29 |publisher=方言文法研究会 |location=Japan |id=NCID: BB1529267X |url=http://hougen.sakura.ne.jp/shuppan/2014/04_020.pdf |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020134521/http://hougen.sakura.ne.jp/shuppan/2014/04_020.pdf |archive-date=2018-10-20 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last1=Lampkin |first1=Rita |title=Japanese Verbs & Essentials of Grammar |date=2010-05-14 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Education |isbn=978-0-07-171363-4 |edition=3}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnRef|Lombardo et al.|2019}} |last1=Lombardo |first1=Cameron |last2=Stainton |first2=Jenny |last3=Suzuki |first3=Mami |last4=Norota |first4=Moeko |title=だ and です : Venturing Beyond Textbook Rules into Real-Life Use |url=https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/da-vs-desu-in-real-life/ |website=Tofugu |language=en |date=2019-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429093709/https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/da-vs-desu-in-real-life/ |archive-date=2021-04-29 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |ref={{sfnRef|Makino & Tsutsui|1989}} |last1=Makino |first1=Seiichi |last2=Tsutsui |first2=Michio |title=A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar |date=1989 |publisher=The Japan Times |location=Tokyo, Japan |isbn=978-47-89004-54-1 |edition=80}}
* {{cite book |ref={{sfnRef|Makino & Tsutsui|1995}} |last1=Makino |first1=Seiichi |last2=Tsutsui |first2=Michio |title=A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar |date=1995 |publisher=The Japan Times |location=Tokyo, Japan |isbn=978-4-7890-0775-7 |edition=50}}
* {{cite book |last=McClain |first=Yoko |author-link=Yoko Matsuoka McClain |date=1981 |title=Handbook of modern Japanese grammar: including lists of words and expressions with English equivalents for reading aid |location=Tokyo, Japan |publisher=The Hokuseido Press |isbn=4-590-00570-0}}
* {{cite journal |ref={{sfnRef|Miyake|2016}} |last1=三宅 |first1=俊浩 |title=Kanō dōshi no seiritsu |script-title=ja:可能動詞の成立 |trans-title=Origin of the Potential Verb in Japanese |journal=日本語の研究 |date=2016-04-01 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=1–17 |doi=10.20666/nihongonokenkyu.12.2_1 |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/nihongonokenkyu/12/2/12_1/_pdf |language=ja |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120101107/https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/nihongonokenkyu/12/2/12_1/_pdf |archive-date=2017-11-20 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal |ref={{sfnRef|Nakamura|2009}} |last1=中村 |first1=雅之 |title=Nihongo dōshi no onbin ni tsuite |script-title=ja:日本語動詞の音便について |trans-title=About the euphonic changes of Japanese verbs |journal=Kotonoha |date=2009-03-31 |issue=76 |pages=1–3 |url=http://www.for.aichi-pu.ac.jp/museum/pdf4/nakamura76.pdf |publisher=古代文字資料館 |location=Japan |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819074312/http://www.for.aichi-pu.ac.jp/museum/pdf4/nakamura76.pdf |archive-date=2019-08-19 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal |ref={{sfnRef|Nakano|2008}} |last1=中野 |first1=琴代 |title=Nihongo no kanō dōshi |script-title=ja:日本語の可能動詞 |trans-title=The potential verb in Japanese |journal=下関市立大学論集 |date=September 2008 |volume=52 |issue=1–2 |pages=103–114 |url=http://ypir.lib.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/sc/file/1683/20100303141623/SC20052000109.pdf |publisher=下関市立大学学会 |language=ja |issn=0387-5296 |oclc=183202722 |id=SC20052000109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126143225/http://ypir.lib.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/sc/file/1683/20100303141623/SC20052000109.pdf |archive-date=2021-01-26 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite thesis |ref={{sfnRef|Sakaki|2019}} |last1=坂喜 |first1=美佳 |title="Dōshi no onbin no hōgen-gaku-teki kenkyū — sa gyō ionbin o chūshin to shite" |script-title=ja:動詞の音便の方言学的研究—サ行イ音便を中心として— |trans-title=Dialectological study of verb euphonic changes - focusing on the "sa" column's euphonic change from "-i" |date=2019-01-17 |url=https://tohoku.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=127187&file_id=18&file_no=1 |publisher=東北大学 (Tohoku University) |language=ja |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628060930/https://tohoku.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=127187&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1 |archive-date=2021-06-28 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last=Shirane |first=Haruo | author-link=Haruo Shirane |title=Classical Japanese: A Grammar |date=2005 |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-13524-5}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnRef|Tofugu: Stem Form}} |title=Stem Form |website=Tofugu |url=https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-grammar/verb-stem-form-conjugation/ |access-date=2021-05-04 |language=en |date=2019-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518173037/https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-grammar/verb-stem-form-conjugation/ |archive-date=2021-05-18 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnRef|Tofugu: 〜させる (Causative)}} |title=〜させる (Causative) |url=https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-grammar/verb-causative-form-saseru/ |website=Tofugu |access-date=2021-05-12 |language=en |date=2020-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511164405/https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-grammar/verb-causative-form-saseru/ |archive-date=2021-05-11 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikibooks|Japanese|Verb conjugation table}}
* [http://www.japaneseverbconjugator.com/ Japanese Verb Conjugator], online tool giving all forms for any verb
* [http://www.verbix.com/languages/japanese.shtml Japanese Verb Conjugator], online tool with romaji, kana, and kanji output
* [http://jlearn.net/Dictionary/Search JLearn.net], an online Japanese dictionary that accepts conjugated terms and returns the root verb
* [https://cotoacademy.com/how-to-conjugate-te-form-illustrated-guide-japanese-verbs/] Guide to conjugation te form of Japanese verbs
* [https://cotoacademy.com/free-japanese-verb-dictionaries-links-list/] List of Free Online Verb Dictionaries
* [https://verbhandbook.ninjal.ac.jp/] Handbook of Japanese Verbs - National Institute of Japanese Language and Linguistics

{{Japanese language}}
{{Language verbs}}

[[Category:Japanese grammar|Verb conjugations]]
[[Category:Japonic verbs]]

[[ja:活用#日本語における活用]]