～ます (Masu) in Japanese Grammar

If you're learning Japanese, you’ve probably seen verbs ending in ～ます (masu) everywhere. It’s polite, it’s essential, and it shows up in nearly every sentence you'll use with strangers, coworkers, or even at the konbini.

So what exactly is ～ます, and how do you actually use it?

Let’s break it down—with real examples, easy practice, and clear answers to the most common learner questions (like: "What's the difference between です and ます?").

What Is ～ます (masu)?

「～ます」is the polite verb ending in Japanese.
It turns a dictionary-form verb (like たべる / taberu) into something more respectful and neutral:

• たべる → たべます (tabemasu) = “I eat” / “I will eat” (polite)

In conversation, this is the go-to form when:

• You’re talking to someone you don’t know well
• You’re in a formal or business situation
• You just want to sound respectful or kind

🗣 Think of it like saying “I will eat” instead of just “eat” in English.

🔁 How to Conjugate Verbs into ～ます Form

Japanese verbs are grouped into 3 types, and each changes to ～ます a bit differently:

1. Group 1 (Godan verbs)

Most verbs fall into this category.

• のむ (nomu) → のみます (nomimasu)
• いく (iku) → いきます (ikimasu)
• よむ (yomu) → よみます (yomimasu)

➡ Rule: Drop the final う-sound, replace with い-sound + ます

2. Group 2 (Ichidan verbs)

These usually end in ～る with an e or i sound before it.

• たべる (taberu) → たべます (tabemasu)
• みる (miru) → みます (mimasu)

➡ Rule: Just drop ～る and add ます

3. Group 3 (Irregular verbs)

Only two verbs here!

• する → します (shimasu)
• くる → きます (kimasu)

Memorize these as exceptions.

🧠 Common Mistake: ます vs. です

New learners often ask:
“What’s the difference between ます and です?”

✅ Use ます for actions
✅ Use です for describing things or identifying them

Examples:

• パンをたべます。
  Pan wo tabemasu.
  → I eat bread.
• パンはおいしいです。
  Pan wa oishii desu.
  → The bread is delicious.

📝 Real-Life Examples with ～ます

Here are common, useful phrases using ～ます:

1. にほんごをべんきょうします。

Nihongo wo benkyou shimasu.
→ I study Japanese.

2. コーヒーをのみます。

Koohii wo nomimasu.
→ I drink coffee.

3. ともだちとあそびます。

Tomodachi to asobimasu.
→ I hang out with friends.

4. テレビをみます。

Terebi wo mimasu.
→ I watch TV.

5. まいにち、はやくおきます。

Mainichi, hayaku okimasu.
→ I wake up early every day.

⭐ Key Points to Remember

• 「～ます」 is used to make verbs polite—perfect for most conversations in Japan.
• Use it for actions, while です is used for descriptions or identity.
• Learn the basic conjugation rules by verb group, but focus on practical use and exposure.

🔍 Bonus: Common Questions

❓ Can I use ～ます with adjectives?

No—adjectives don’t take ます. Use です instead:

• たかいです (Takai desu) = It’s expensive

❓ What’s the casual version of ～ます?

Just use the dictionary form:

• のみます (polite) → のむ (casual)
  Use this with friends or in casual writing.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Mastering the ～ます form is one of the first big steps to speaking natural Japanese. It’s not hard, but it does take practice.

Use it whenever you meet new people, talk to shop staff, or want to sound polite in writing. As you get comfortable, you’ll start switching between polite and casual speech like a pro.