What does 〜ます mean in Japanese?

〜ます expresses 'polite verb ending' 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 〜ます?

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

〜ます

polite verb ending

N5verb-forms

〜ます is a verb form expressing polite verb ending. 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) + ます

Formation#

Verb Type	Dictionary Form	ます Form
Group 1 (う-verbs)	書く (kaku)	書きます
Group 1 (う-verbs)	飲む (nomu)	飲みます
Group 2 (る-verbs)	食べる (taberu)	食べます
する (irregular)	する	します
くる (irregular)	くる	きます

Change the final う-sound to the い-sound of the same row, then add ます.

When to Use#

Polite statements: 毎日勉強します (I study every day)
Polite future: 明日行きます (I'll go tomorrow)
Formal self-introduction: 田中と申します (My name is Tanaka)

When NOT to Use#

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

Example Sentences#

頑張ります。 — I'll do my best!
失礼します。 — Excuse me. (when passing through)
十分待ちます。 — I wait for 10 minutes.

Practice#

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

N5greetings

I'll do my best!

Neutral

頑張(がんば)ります。

Casual

頑張(がんば)るよ。

Vocabulary

頑張るto do one’s bestますpolite verb endingよsentence-final particle (emphasis)

Grammar

〜ますpolite present/future

Try in JIVX

N5greetings

Excuse me. (when passing through)

Neutral

失礼(しつれい)します。

Casual

ごめん。

Vocabulary

失礼rudeness, excuse meしますto do (polite)ごめんsorry (casual)

Grammar

〜しますto do (polite)

Try in JIVX

Common Mistakes#

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.