The V-dictionary form (辞書形) is one of the most important verb forms in Japanese. It is the plain, unconjugated form of the verb, and it is used in a variety of contexts.
Here are some tips on how to use the V-dictionary form effectively:
1. Use it to look up verbs in the dictionary.
The V-dictionary form is the form that you will find in most Japanese dictionaries. When you look up a verb in the dictionary, you will usually see the V-dictionary form listed first.
2. Use it to create new words.
The V-dictionary form can be used to create new words by adding suffixes. For example, you can add the suffix -able to the V-dictionary form to create an adjective that means “able to be done.” For example, the V-dictionary form of the verb to eat is 食べる. Adding the suffix -able to 食べる creates the adjective 食べられる, which means “食べられる.”
3. Use it to conjugate verbs.
The V-dictionary form is the base form of the verb, and it is used to conjugate verbs into different tenses and moods. For example, to conjugate the verb to eat into the present tense, you would add the ending -ます to the V-dictionary form. This creates the verb 食べます, which means “I eat.”
4. Use it to make requests.
The V-dictionary form can be used to make requests by adding the suffix -てください. For example, to ask someone to eat something, you would say 食べてください, which means “Please eat.”
5. Use it to describe actions.
The V-dictionary form can be used to describe actions by adding the suffix -こと. For example, to say that someone is eating, you would say 食べていること, which means “the fact that they are eating.”
Here are some example sentences using the V-dictionary form:
食べる (taberu) – to eat
話す (hanasu) – to speak
読む (yomu) – to read
書く (kaku) – to write
聞く (kiku) – to listen
By following these tips, you can use the V-dictionary form effectively to improve your Japanese language skills.
Example
- 明日、図書館で本を借りるつもりです。 (Ashita, toshokan de hon o kariru tsumori desu.) – I intend to borrow a book from the library tomorrow.
- 日本語を上手に話すために、毎日勉強する。 (Nihongo o jouzu ni hanasu tame ni, mainichi benkyou suru.) – I study every day to speak Japanese well.
- おなかが空いたので、何か食べることにした。 (Onaka ga suita node, nanika taberu koto ni shita.) – I was hungry, so I decided to eat something.
- 試験に受かることを祈っている。 (Shiken ni ukaru koto o inotte iru.) – I’m praying to pass the exam.
- 音楽を聞くのが好きです。 (Ongaku o kiku no ga suki desu.) – I like listening to music.
- 新しいゲームを買うか迷っている。 (Atarashii geemu o kau ka mayoっている.) – I’m hesitating about whether to buy a new game.
- 東京タワーを見るために、日本に行きたい。 (Tokyo Tower o miru tame ni, Nihon ni ikitai.) – I want to go to Japan to see Tokyo Tower.
- 料理をするのが上手になりたい。 (Ryouri o suru no ga jouzu ni naritai) – I want to become good at cooking.
- この漢字の読み方を知る必要がある。 (Kono kanji no yomikata o shiru hitsuyou ga aru.) – I need to know how to read this kanji.
- 友達に手紙を書く。(Tomodachi ni tegami o kaku.) – I’ll write a letter to my friend.