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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese demonstratives Verb た(ta)form ＜動詞た形（どうし たけい）＞.
What is Verb たform?
The conjugational forms of verbs that end in "た" or "だ" are called "Verb たform＜動詞た形（どうし たけい）＞".
In this article, we will explain how to make the た-form from the ます-form.
The conjugation method changes depending on the verb group.
⚠Before studying “た-form”, please review if you have forgotten about verb groups.
・💁Explanation of Verb Groups ↓↓
If you already know the verb て-form (動詞て形), there is an easier way to make the た-form.Please see the explanation at the end of this page.
＜Group Ⅱ / Group Ⅲ Verbs (Ⅱ, Ⅲグループ)＞
For Ⅱ,Ⅲ group of verbs, simply change the "ます"to "た".
(Add "た" to the stem, which is the part before ます in the ます form.)
＜Group Ⅰ (Ⅰグループ)＞
Verbs in groupⅠ are conjugated differently depending on the character before "ます".
(The conjugation changes depending on the last part of the stem)
①い", "ち", or "り"
When the last character (sound) of the word stem,that is, the charactere immediately before "ます" is the character for "い", "ち", or "り", that part will be changed to "った".
②"み", "び", or "に"
When the last character (sound) of the word stem,that is, the charactere immediately before "ます" is the character for "み", "び", or "に", that part will be changed to "んだ".
③"き"
When the last character (sound) of the word stem,that is, the charactere immediately before "ます" is the character for "き", that part will be changed to "いた".
※Note, if the verb is "行きます（いきます, go）," it is specially changed to "行った”.
④"ぎ"
When the last character (sound) of the word stem,that is, the charactere immediately before "ます" is the character for "ぎ", that part will be changed to "いだ".
⑤"し"
When the last character (sound) of the word stem,that is, the charactere immediately before "ます" is the character for "し", that part will be changed to "した"
※If you remember verb てform（動詞て形）, simply replace て to た, or で to だ .
・💁The Explanation about Verb てform ↓↓
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson19), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
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