です/ます form

Introduction

The です/ます form in Japanese plays a critical role in establishing politeness, an essential aspect of Japanese culture and communication.

These forms are primarily used in formal contexts, or when showing respect is paramount, such as in professional settings or when speaking to someone of higher status.

This guide delves deeper into the nuances of the desu/masu form, providing beginners with the knowledge to use these forms correctly and confidently.

Overview of Desu/Masu Form

The Significance of “です”:

“です” serves as the backbone of polite speech in Japanese, functioning similarly to the English “to be” verbs (is, am, are) to equate or describe subjects. Its use transcends the subject’s number or gender, maintaining a consistent form across sentences.

• Example: “あの人は先生です。” (Ano hito wa sensei desu.) – “That person is a teacher.”

It also helps in making sentences polite when describing something using adjectives.

• Example: “このケーキは美味しいです。” (Kono keki wa oishii desu.) – “This cake is delicious.”

Politeness with “ます” in Verbs:

Adding “ます” to a verb’s stem (the verb base without the dictionary form ending) transforms it into a polite expression.

This form is crucial for indicating actions in the present or future tense politely.

• Example: To convert “見る” (miru – to see) to its polite form, it becomes “見ます” (mimasu).

To ask questions politely, add “か” at the end.

• Example: “何を見ますか？” (Nani wo mimasu ka?) – “What will you see/watch?”

Detailed Sentence Construction with Desu/Masu

Expressing Actions with Masu:

The masu form is versatile, enabling descriptions of ongoing or imminent actions in a manner that respects the listener’s social standing.

• Imminent Action: “明日、先生に会います。” (Ashita, sensei ni aimasu.) – “I will meet the teacher tomorrow.”

Utilizing Desu for Descriptions:

Desu is utilized to describe someone or something, offering a way to articulate characteristics, conditions, or relationships politely.

• Polite Description: “彼は信頼できる人です。” (Kare wa shinrai dekiru hito desu.) – “He is a trustworthy person.”

Polite Past Tense Construction:

To recount past events or describe states in a respectful tone, “masu” morphs into “mashita,” and “desu” becomes “deshita.”

• Reflecting on Past Events: “昨年、日本を訪れました。” (Kyonen, Nihon wo otozuremashita.) – “I visited Japan last year.”

• Describing Past Conditions: “その映画は感動的でした。” (Sono eiga wa kandouteki deshita.) – “That movie was moving.”

Conclusion

Grasping the desu/masu form is not just about learning grammar; it’s about understanding and embodying the respect deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.

By meticulously studying and applying these forms, beginners will not only improve their linguistic skills but also their ability to engage respectfully within Japanese social contexts.

Consistent practice, coupled with a keen awareness of social nuances, will pave the way for effective and polite communication in Japanese.