Kakimasu

Changing dictionary forms into affirmative long forms
Changing dictionary forms into negative long forms

In this lesson, we will create long form verbs using stems from the previous lesson. Remember, long form verbs are used in formal settings such as public places, business environments, and with unfamiliar people, rather than with friends. Below is a table with an example verb, “KAKU”:

Short formLong form
AffirmativeKaku (dictionary)Kakimasu
NegativeKakanaiKakimasen
Past-affirmativeKaitaKakimashita
Past-negativeKakanakattaKakimasendeshita
………

Affirmative-long and Negative-long

Remember that there are 3 groups of verbs. They change differently when forming long form verbs.

U-verb

Add i-sound to stems then add masu.
ex. kaku >>> kaki >>> kakimasu
Add i-sound to stems then add masen.
ex. kaku >>> kaki >>> kakimasen

IRUERU-verb

Add masu to stems.
ex. taberu >>> tabe >>> tabemasu
Add masen to stems.
ex. taberu >>> tabe >>> tabemasen

Irregular verb

This is an exception, and it only applies to two verbs: “suru” and “kuru”. These change into “shimasu” and “kimasu” for affirmative long forms. The negative long forms are “shimasen” and “kimasen”.

Exercise

Question

Change the following dictionary-forms into affirmative-long forms.

akeru (open) >>>　　　　　　　　　
miru (watch) >>> 　　　　　　　　
arau (wash) >>>　　　　　　　　
kaku (write) >>>　　　　　　　
oyogu (swim) >>> 　　　　　　
keisan suru (calculate) >>>

Answer

akemasu
mimasu
araimasu
kakimasu
oyogimasu
keisan shimasu