
About this episode
- Check my video for more details! -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eVw4T67TDE&t=334s
★Rules for Changing dictionary-form to nai-form★
For this section you will learn how to change dictionary-form (Plain Present Affirmation) to nai-form (Plain Present Negative).
The following are the rules for the 3 groups of Japanese verbs.
Group 1 Verbs
To change group 1 verbs from dictionary-form to nai-form, change the u-sound to a-sound in the last word. After that append ない (nai) to the changed words and you will get the nai-form of the verb.
For example, this group 1 Japanese verb かく (kaku) ends up with く (ku). If you change the u-sound to a-sound, く (ku) becomes か (ka). Adding ない (nai) at the end, you will get かかない (kakanai).
Exception:
まちますmachimasuまたない matanai
はなしますhanashimasu はなさないhanasanai
かいますkaimasu かわないkawanai
Group 2 Verbs
Group 2 verbs are much simpler. You just need to change る (ru) to ない (nai) and you will get the nai-form Japanese verbs.
Group 3 Verbs
Group 3 verbs are irregular verbs. You just need to memorize them. The nai-form of くる (kuru) is こない (konai) and the nai-form of する (suru) is しない (shinai).
In summary, the following diagram shows the rules when changing dictionary-form to nai-form for Japanese verbs.
===============================================
===============================================
Get every episode summarized
Each time Learn Japanese with Masa sensei! publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Learn Japanese with Masa sensei!

Episode 213 - How to use "ta totan" (The moment ~ / As soon as ~ / Right after ~...
Learn Japanese with Masa sensei!

Episode 212 - How to use "chuushin ni, chuushin ni shite, chuushin toshite" (Mai...
Learn Japanese with Masa sensei!

Episode 211 - How to use "nanka" (Like ~ / Something like ~ / Someone like ~ / A...
Learn Japanese with Masa sensei!

Episode 210 - How to use "nante" (What a ~ / I can’t believe ~ / Such a ~ / Even...
Learn Japanese with Masa sensei!