G07 · Verbs with ます and を

Before you start

The sentences only use words you already know from hiragana, katakana and the beginner level.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• G01build sentences with は and です
• G02ask and answer
• G03say what something is not
• G04say whose something is
• G05point at things and ask what they are
• G06say «also»

What you learn

〜を 〜ます

• をdirect object (read o)
• ますpolite verb, present

Polite verbs end in ます: たべる → たべます. -ru verbs drop る; the others (including some ending in る, like うる → うります) change their last syllable from u to i (のむ → のみます, かく → かきます); する → します and くる → きます. を marks what the action falls on and is read o.

• わたしは ほんを よみます。watashi wa hon o yomimasu.I read a book.
• まいにち みずを のみます。mainichi mizu o nomimasu.I drink water every day.
• あさごはんを たべます。asagohan o tabemasu.I have breakfast.
• えいがを みます。eiga o mimasu.I watch a film.
• てがみを かきます。tegami o kakimasu.I write a letter.
• おんがくを ききます。ongaku o kikimasu.I listen to music.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.