Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Plain present with verbs
The plain present is the dictionary form. It can describe a habit, a general fact, or a future action when a time word makes the timing clear.
Target signal
毎日七時に起きる。
I get up at seven every day.
A plain-form habit sentence often sounds short and direct.
Vocabulary notes
- 起きる
- to wake up
- 七時
- seven o’clock
- 毎日
- every day
Compare in context
土曜日に友だちに会う。
I will meet a friend on Saturday.
With 土曜日, the plain form 会う can point to a future plan.
Vocabulary notes
- 友だち
- friend
- 土曜日
- Saturday
- 会う
- to meet
Compare in context
母は本を読む。
My mother reads books.
The dictionary form also describes repeated actions or regular behavior.
Vocabulary notes
- 読む
- to read
- は
- topic marker
- を
- object marker
Section 2 of 3
Plain past with verbs
The plain past shows that an action finished. It appears very often in short stories, diaries, quotes, and casual conversation.
Target signal
昨日図書館へ行った。
I went to the library yesterday.
A past time word helps you read 行った as a completed action.
Vocabulary notes
- 図書館
- library
- 昨日
- yesterday
- へ
- toward; to
Preview
さっき駅に着いた。
I arrived at the station a little while ago.
さっき makes the arrival feel recent and finished.
Vocabulary notes
- さっき
- a moment ago; just now
- いた
- was there
- さ
- the hiragana character sa
Preview
先週映画を見た。
I watched a movie last week.
The past plain form 見た is common in casual narration.
Vocabulary notes
- 先週
- last week
- を
- object marker
- 先
- ahead; first
Section 3 of 3
Plain forms with nouns and adjectives
Nouns and な-adjectives use だ in the plain present and だった in the plain past. い-adjectives stay in dictionary form in the plain present and change to 〜かった in the plain past.
Target signal
学生だ。去年も学生だった。
I am a student. I was also a student last year.
Nouns use だ now and だった for the past.
Vocabulary notes
- だった
- was; were
- 去年
- last year
- 学生
- student
Preview
この店は静かだ。前も静かだった。
This shop is quiet. It was quiet before too.
な-adjectives follow the same だ / だった pattern.
Vocabulary notes
- だった
- was; were
- この
- this
- 静か
- quiet; calm
Preview
このかばんは安い。去年も安かった。
This bag is cheap. It was cheap last year too.
い-adjectives keep their plain present form and change to 〜かった in the plain past.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- この
- this
- 去年
- last year