What does 〜ました mean in Japanese?

〜ました expresses 'past polite verb' in Japanese. It is a N5-level grammar pattern. It is one of the most fundamental patterns in Japanese, used constantly in everyday conversation.

What JLPT level is 〜ました?

〜ました is classified as JLPT N5 grammar. This is a foundational pattern you will learn early in your studies.

〜ました

past polite verb

N5verb-forms

〜ました is a verb form expressing past polite verb. Understanding this conjugation pattern is essential for expanding what you can express in Japanese. Verb forms are the backbone of Japanese grammar — each form unlocks new ways to describe actions, states, and intentions.

This is a foundational pattern that you will use from day one of your Japanese studies.

Structure

Verb(ます-stem) + ました

Formation#

Verb Type	ます Form	ました Form
Group 1	書きます	書きました
Group 2	食べます	食べました
する	します	しました
くる	きます	きました

Replace ます with ました.

When to Use#

When describing a completed action in polite speech
When recounting past events in formal contexts

When NOT to Use#

In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

わかりました。 — I understand. / I see.
雨が止みました。 — It stopped raining.
雷が光りました。 — Lightning flashed.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

N5greetings

I understand. / I see.

Neutral

わかりました。

Casual

わかった。

Vocabulary

わかるto understandましたpast tense (polite)

Grammar

〜ましたpast tense (polite)

Try in JIVX

N5weather

It stopped raining.

Neutral

雨(あめ)が止(や)みました。

Casual

雨(あめ)が止(や)んだ。

Vocabulary

雨rain止むto stop (rain)

Grammar

〜ましたpolite past tense

Try in JIVX

Common Mistakes#

Using 〜ました interchangeably with 過去形 — These patterns are similar but not identical. 過去形 (past tense) may be preferred in different contexts or registers.
Wrong verb group conjugation — Group 1 and Group 2 verbs conjugate differently. Common pitfall: treating Group 1 verbs ending in る (like 帰る) as Group 2 verbs.