Plain Present and Past

Use plain affirmative forms for verbs, nouns, and adjectives so you can follow casual dialogue and simple written Japanese.

Recognize plain present and plain past forms in short sentences.Use plain affirmative forms with verbs, nouns, and adjectives.Read casual statements without relying on です or ます.

Guided study

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.

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.

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.

母は本を読む。

My mother reads books.

The dictionary form also describes repeated actions or regular behavior.

Practice guides for this lesson

Use these hub pages to connect this lesson with related reading practice and grammar paths.

N5 Japanese grammar lessons

Use the N5 Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.

Open guide

Japanese grammar practice

Use the Japanese grammar practice guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.

Open guide

Japanese grammar lessons

Use the Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.

Open guide