Verb (Non-past)

The non-past plain form of a verb (also called the dictionary form) is the base form of a verb as it appears in the dictionary. It expresses present habitual actions or future events in casual speech, and is also used inside many grammatical structures regardless of politeness level.

Verb groups

Japanese verbs fall into three groups, each with a characteristic dictionary form ending:

• Godan (五段) verbs / Group I: End in an う-row syllable – かう買う, かく書く, はなす話す, まつ待つ, のむ飲む, あそぶ遊ぶ, しぬ死ぬ, とる取る
• Ichidan (一段) verbs / Group II: End in る, preceded by an い or え sound – たべる食べる, みる見る, おきる起きる
• Irregular verbs:する (to do) and くる来る (to come)

Casual present and future

In informal conversation, the dictionary form is used where the 〜～ます form would appear in polite speech.

Inside grammatical structures

Many grammar patterns require the dictionary form, even in polite sentences. For example, before とおもう思う (I think), ことができる (can do), or まえに前に (before):

Negative non-past

The plain negative is formed differently depending on the verb group:

• Godan: Change the final う-row sound to the あ-row sound and add ない (e.g. 書く → 書かない, 飲む → 飲まない). Exception: verbs ending in う become わない (e.g. 買う → 買わない).
• Ichidan: Drop る and add ない (e.g. 食べる → 食べない)
• Irregular: する → しない, 来る → 来ない (こない)