Difference between -masu and dictionary form

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Dante17

先輩

3 Dec 2013

185

1

• 17 Jan 2014

• #1

Hey. Weird question here and I really should know the answer :L I got to thinking, and what is the difference between the dictionary form of a verb and the masu form?

E.g: Hashiru and hashirimasu

Couldn't they both be used to say "I run everyday " such as

"Watashi wa mainichi hashirimasu"

And then change hashirimasu to Hashiru? Would mean the same thing right?

Sorry for the stupid question, it's just been bugging me for a while.

Sorry about the title typo. Damn autospell.

 

Last edited by a moderator: 30 Sep 2016

letslearn

先輩

11 Sep 2013

890

14

• 17 Jan 2014

• #2

I thought it was just the politeness level.

 

D

Dante17

先輩

3 Dec 2013

185

1

• 17 Jan 2014

• Thread starter
• #3

Difference between mash form and dictionary form

letslearn said:

I thought it was just the politeness level.

Click to expand...

That could be the case. I also wonder that if I were indeed to use just the dictionary form that it would need desu instead of masu...

EDIT: Just googled it and now understand that there is an entire casual form that I was unaware of. Seems to answer my question

 

letslearn

先輩

11 Sep 2013

890

14

• 17 Jan 2014

• #4

I don't think so. You may use n desu short for no desu in spoken language to soften or infer reason.
For example.
Doushite tabenai n desu ka. Why don't you eat?
Onaka ga suite inai n desu. Because I'm not hungry.

 

M

Morphling

先輩

3 Apr 2013

273

32

• 17 Jan 2014

• #5

You can't just add です to a plain form verb. You can pad it with のだ、んだ but it will have slightly different meaning so not the same.

Masu form is much more regular than plain form which is why it is taught in beginner courses. I.e. Past tense is always ました but in plain form it will change depending on verb. 読んだ、帰った、破いた etc.

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

18,266

4,926

• 17 Jan 2014

• #6

"-Masu" is attached to verbs, whereas "-desu" is for na-adjectives / nouns. The explanatory "no / n" belongs to nouns, therefeore "-desu" is used for it. "- Desu" is also used for i-adjectives or the negative form / -tai form of verbs, which is treated as an i-adjective. However, this "-desu" is not a copula but a polite suffix that does not have inflections.