Talking About Your Actions

Every verb has a plain form ending in an 'u' sound. Every verb also has a polite form ending in -ます

• 行く [iku] → 行きます [ikimasu] I go.
• 食べる [taberu] → 食べます [tabemasu] I eat.

Group 1 Verbs typically end in a consonant sound plus 'u' Ex) 行く [iku]

To convert a group 1 verb in the polite form,

• Step 1: take off the '-u' at the end Ex) 行く [iku] → [ik]
• Step 2: add an 'i' sound Ex) [ik] → 行き [iki]
• Step 3: add the polite ending -ます Ex) 行き [iki] → 行きます [ikimasu]

遊びます [asobimasu]
I play.

• Step 1: 遊ぶ [asobu] → [asob]
• Step 2: [asob] → 遊び [asobi]
• Step 3: 遊び [asobi] → 遊びます [asobimasu]

Exception for Group 1 verb (these verbs are not consonant sound plus 'u')

• 会う [au] means 'to meet'
• 言う [iu] means 'to say'

会います [aimasu]
I meet.

• Step 1: 会う [au] → [a]
• Step 2: [a] → 会い [ai]
• Step 3: 会い [ai] → 会います [aimasu]

読みます [yomimasu]
I read.

• Step 1: 読む [yomu] → [yom]
• Step 2: [yom] → 読み [yomi]
• Step 3: 読み [yomi] → 読みます [yomimasu]