連用形【れんようけい】

The れんようけい連用形 (conjunctive) is a fundamental form of Japanese verbs, used as a base for various grammatical constructions and expressions.

• Polite form (～ます): The verb stem combines with ～ます to create the polite form.

  まいにち毎日はしります走ります。

  I run every day.

• Noun form (Nominalization): The verb stem can function as a noun (e.g. はなし話し meaning "a story" or "talk") or combine with other nouns.

  たべもの食べ物があります。

  There is food.

• Combination with auxiliaries: Verb stems are used with auxiliaries like ～たい (want to do) and ～すぎる (too much).

  ほん本をよみたいです読みたいです。

  I want to read a book.

• Creating compound verbs: Verb stems can combine with other verbs to form compound verbs like ～始める (begin) and ～終わる (finish).

  あめがふり雨が降りはじめました始めました。

  It started to rain.

• Connecting Sentences: The verb stem is used to connect two clauses or sentences. It creates a smooth flow of actions, often implying "and" or "after that". This is especially common in written language.

  としょかん図書館にいき行き、ほん本をかりました借りました。

  I went to the library and borrowed a book.
  あさごはん朝ごはんをたべ食べ、しごと仕事にいきます行きます。

  I eat breakfast and go to work.

  This usage gives a more formal or literary tone compared to the casual て-form for connecting actions.