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Whats the differences between "suru" and "masu" form in Japanese language?

  • I got this Japanese course book called Living Language Japanese Course Book The basics from Amazon. its not a very good book, its the size of a dictionary lol. I didn't know till I received it at home. Anyway the book is totally different from my school textbook the form they use is "sure" instead of "masu" and I don't understand T_T can anyone explain to me? Benkyoosuru - To Study Narau - To learn Hashite - To Speak The one I get is "Benkyoo shimasu, Naraimasu, Hanashimasu" Whats the differences between these two? which one is more common/polite to use while speaking/writing? Also this: Onamae wa to osshaimasu ka/Onamae wa/Onamae nan desu ka. All of these three have the same meaning "What is your name?" but I don't get the first one, what does "osshaimasu" means? Yamada Masao to mooshimasu. Yamada desu. Watakushi no namae wa Yamada desu. All means the same thing. They didn't explain the differences T_T can anyone explain to me? and what does "mooshimasu" means? Thanks

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    Wow! Big question, so let's get right to it ;) Self-learning Japanese is VERY difficult, but finding a tutor is possibly even more difficult. But, I will try my best to explain this grammar. Some of this will require time to remember; but with lots of dedication, you can make it happen! -- Q: What's the difference btwn. 'suru' and 'masu'? -- A: 'suru' has a variety of different usages. It can be used after a verb to state a declarative fact. An affirmative that so-and-so is doing such-and-such an activity. Ex) Tomoki wa karate oh suru/shimasu. 'Suru' is synonomous with the word 'shimasu' NOT 'masu'. So, follow the formula: subject+wa+activity+oh+suru/shimasu. 'Suru' can also come directly after the verb to function as part of an infinitive, per se. Ex) Benkoosuru. (remember, pronounce as 'benkyo-oh-suru') -- which does mean 'to study.' A hint that I can give is that all Japanese verbs end in a 'ru' sound. In this case, 'suru' will be needed because in Japanese some verbs can be made by this formula: noun+o+suru Since 'benkyo' is a noun (i.e. 'homework' or 'studies'), to make it a verb, just tack on the --suru. A verb that doesn't follow this rule, for example, is 'hashiru'. The nature of that word is that of a verb, i.e. it only exists as a verb NOT, noun+ru. In fact, that form doesn't exist! So, that goes with the verb 'narau'. That verb exists solely in the verbal form. > However, I have a problem with 'hashite'. That is not an infinitive because you don't hear the 'ru' sound at the end of it, eh? 'Hashite' is a CONJUGATED form of 'hashiru'. More precisely, it's an imperative form because of the '-ite' (pronounced, 'ee'tay') sound. > So, what does 'masu' mean again? Masu is used after certain verbs, usually verbs of movement in a sentence. It cannot be used alone. Ex) Hai, Iki-masu. "Yes, I will go" It can be used without a subject. In this case, the 'I' (that's you) is implied. anothe ex) "yari-masu" ... "I will do it" -- Masu can be used in a statement that states a fact like 'suru'. Ex) Tomoki wa yushoku gohan oh tabetei masu. "Tomoki is eating his dinner." -- Masu is generally used with 'nouns' NOT 'activities'. With activities, use 'suru' or 'shimasu'. So, with masu, use this formula: subject+wa+noun+oh+relevant verb+masu. -- Q: "Benkyoo shimasu, Naraimasu, Hanashimasu" Whats the differences between these two? which one is more common/polite to use while speaking/writing? -- A: Benkyoo shimasu -- I do study. -- I will study. (The future tense, depending on the context, can be used) With 'shimasu', a future tense can be used. Naraimasu -- I will learn (If you want to use the present tense, say "nara'tei imasu) (If you want to use an infinitive, make the ending have a 'ru' sound, like "narau) Hanashimasu -- I will speak -- Q: Onamae wa to osshaimasu ka/Onamae wa/Onamae nan desu ka. All of these three have the same meaning "What is your name?" but I don't get the first one, what does "osshaimasu" means? -- A: The first thing given makes no sense in Japanese. The rest do mean 'what is your name.' But 'osshaimasu' means 'says' but in a VERY formal way. The word used above is used incorrectly. This is how it's supposed to be used: "Mr. A wa ........ to osshaimasu." ... "Mr. A says, "__insert quote__" -- Do you mean "Namae wa nanto oshaimasuka?" If so, that is a very formal way of asking a person's name. -- Q: Yamada Masao to mooshimasu. Yamada desu. Watakushi no namae wa Yamada desu. They didn't explain the differences can anyone explain to me? and what does "mooshimasu" means? -- A: "My name is Yamada Masao." They all mean the same thing. The first is very formal. Second is very casual. And the third is also formal. "Mooshimasu" is just a formal way of saying "my name is". So literally the first sentence is "Yamada Masao my name is"! -- Q: What does "dewa ashita/jaa mata ashita" and "dewa mata and jaa mata" mean? -- A: dewa ashita/jaa mata ashita, both mean the same thing: "see you tomorrow." Both are common expressions, and are heard quite commonly! Dewa mata and Jaa mata are very casual, translating as "Later!" or "See ya'" Wow! Now you are an expert! If you have any questions just let me know! Jaa, gambatei kudasai-nei! =) --------------------------------- No problem! "Limasu" does not make sense in Japanese, unfortunately. Do you mean "imasu" ? Interestingly, 'imasu' has no direct English translations. Japanese is filled with such words that have 'empty' translations. 'Imasu' is tacked on usually at the end of declarative statements: Ex) Nanami wa asoko ni imasu. "Nanami is over there." -- It generally comes after 'ni'. However, imasu can interestingly stand alone, to mean "is present (here/there)" where the subject is understood: Ex) Honda-san wa asoko ni imasuka? ^^ (notice how we can make a question by putting '-ka' after imasu?) "Is Mr. Honda over there? ...a response to this could simply be: "Hai, imasu." or "Hai, asoko ni imasu." or "Hai, (Honda-san wa) (asoko ni) imasu." Translation: "Yes, (Mr. Honda is) over there/is present there." (Just for fun, the opposite of 'asoko' is 'koko') Learning all this takes time, but all it takes is just some work, and it can happen. Depending on where you live, contact your local Japanese Consulate. They actually give out educational material (i.e. books, reference guides, maps, etc) for FREE! All it takes is a phone call! Hope this helps! =)

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1. 'suru' is its original form. 'shi masu' is its polite form. Accurately, 'shi' is the continuous modification of 'suru' and 'masu' is a polite saying helper verb. And 'suru' means 'to do'. So, you can compose most verbs with a noun and 'suru' in Japanese; Like 'benkyou suru', 'sentaku suru'(do laundry / make a selection), 'souji suru'(clean a room or smth), 'hirune suru'(take a nap in daytime), 'sinsei suru'(apply for smth), 'unten suru'(drive a car),,,etc. You can say the thing in a polite way with 'shimasu' instead of 'suru'. Generally, ending with 'u' sound is the original form of Japanese verbs. 'narau' is 'to take lectures for learning from someone'. And it is modified to continuous modification form 'narai' when you say smth in a polite way with 'masu', then it becomes to 'narai masu'. The same about 'hanasu' and 'hanashi masu'. 2. The differences between 'bankyou suru' and 'narau' 'benkyou' is a noun for studying or learning. 'narau' is a verb but implies a kind of passive meanings to be taught smth by someone, not by her/himself, someone is assisting her/him to learn it. 'hanasu' and 'hanashi masu' are to speak. 'te' in 'hanashi te' is a progressive helper, 'iru' or 'i masu'(being) should be followed. 3. First one lacks 'nan'(what). It should be, 'onamae wa nan to osshaimasu ka?' 'osshai masu' is a polite and modest way of saying, very formal. Receptionists use it. Its original form is 'ossharu'. 'ossharu' means 'to say', but here 'to be' in meaning. 'mooshi masu' is a humble way of saying. I don't think you don't have to use it. 'ii masu' is enough usually. Only you need to understand when you hear it. Only you might have to say that way when you were invited to super formal ritual ceremonies like to meet Tennou. Otherwise 'ii masu' is enough to use. 'ii masu' is more polite than just 'desu'. 'ii masu' literary means to say. There is a way of Japanese traditional thinking of that objectively saying is more polite for others. So here 'ii masu'('osshai masu' is same in meaning) implies to be said. 4. 'dewa' is just for changing subject, topic. 'sono uchi ni' means 'in some time' or 'in some day'. Literary 'sono uchi ni' means 'at middle in the time' but doesn't have much meaning. 'the time' would be our life time. Nothing certain. Just a idiom.

merryyellowtail

I think you might be getting a bit confused, there isn't a difference as such. (1) Suru Suru is a verb meaning "to do". Combining it with certain words makes the whole thing a verb. This is usually the case with phrases that are Chinese in origin, like benkyou-suru. Benkyou itself means something like forceful application, but benkyou-suru has come to mean study. Suru has a irregular polite form of shimasu. That's all you have to remember for that. Suru, Narau, and Hanasu are the plain forms of the verbs. This is the form that you will find in the dictionary. You would probably use them with friends, but not with strangers or polite company. Shimasu, Naraimasu, and Hanashimasu are the corresponding inflected polite forms. (2) Onamae Namae is the word for "name", and you can add a polite o- in front for referring to someone else's name. Osshaimasu is a special polite verb, meaning to say. It is an honorific form of Iimasu. Osshaimasu itself is polite inflected form of Ossharu. So: Onamae wa nan to osshaimasu ka - a very polite way of asking someone's name Onamae wa - a sort of short hand way, asking only "your name?" Onamae wa nan desu ka - a slightly fuller but more direct way, "what is your name?" (3) Mooshimasu Mooshimasu is a corresponding humble way to say Iimasu, just as Osshaimasu is a honorific way of saying Iimasu. So you can use it when referring to your own name or self. So, Masao to mooshimasu -- a very polite way of saying your name Yamada desu -- a brief way of saying your name Watakushi no namae wa Yamada desu -- Watakushi is a polite way of saying "I", and this is a fuller way of saying your name is Yamada. Most of the time you don't need the full sentence is conversation, since it will be clear that you are saying your own name, not someone else's. Also (4) Dewa ... Dewa is a sort of conversational marker, and marks a contrast or perhaps a change in topic. Jaa is a conversational form of the same word. Mata means something like "until", so the farewell "jaa mata..." is a sort of goodbye with an ellipsis (unspoken bit) at the end. It would be like saying "See ya" in English -- when do we expect to see you? Obviously it's "later", or some other time when we expect to see them, but we don't say that. Jaa mata ashita -- ashita is tomorrow, so perhaps "see you tomorrow" Jaa sono uchi ni sono uchi ni is a special phrase which can mean "in a while". It was one of those things that tripped me up when I was learning because it doesn't translate directly well. In a formal context like a classroom, I guess you would use dewa instead of jaa.

kheperure

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