What are the main forms of Japanese verbs? For example, the "te-form," "masu-form," "nai-form," etc., and what are their common conjugation patterns?

Japanese verb forms are actually like Transformers; they change into different shapes depending on the situation. What we commonly refer to as "Te-form" or "Masu-form" are just a few of these common "transformation states" of verbs. Let me explain them one by one, as simply and clearly as possible.

First, Japanese verbs are mainly divided into three categories: Group 1 verbs (u-ending verbs, like "書く - kaku"), Group 2 verbs (ru-verbs, like "食べる - taberu"), and Group 3 verbs (する - suru and 来る - kuru, which are irregular verbs).

Here are some common forms:

1. Masu-form: The most polite way of speaking, used in formal situations. For example, "書きます - kakimasu," "食べます - tabemasu," "します - shimasu." It's like saying "I will eat" instead of just "eat," sounding more polite.

2. Te-form: Extremely common! Used to connect actions, or to express requests, progressive actions, and so on. For example, "書いて - kaite," "食べて - tabete," "して - shite." "食べてください - tabete kudasai" means "Please eat."

3. Nai-form: Expresses negation, meaning "not to..." For example, "書かない - kakanai," "食べない - tabenai," "しない - shinai." If you want to say "I don't eat," you use this form.

4. Ta-form: Expresses the past tense, meaning "already did..." For example, "書いた - kaita," "食べた - tabeta," "した - shita." It's like "I ate" or "I wrote."

5. Ba-form: Used to express a condition, equivalent to "if..." For example, "書けば - kakeba," "食べれば - tabereba," "すれば - sureba." For instance, "すればいい - sureba ii" means "It would be good if you did it."

6. Imperative form: Directly tells someone to do something, with a strong tone. For example, "書け! - kake!," "食べろ! - tabero!," "しろ! - shiro!" It's occasionally used among friends, but never with elders.

7. Volitional form (u/you-form): Expresses "I intend to..." or "Let's do it together." For example, "書こう - kakou," "食べよう - tabeyou," "しよう - shiyou." "行こう - ikou" means "Let's go."

8. Potential form: Expresses "can do..." For example, "書ける -かける," "食べられる - taberareru," "できる - dekiru." It means "can write," "can eat," "can do."

9. Passive form: Expresses "be done by..." For example, "書かれる - kakareru," "食べられる - taberareru," "される - sareru." For instance, "けがをされた - kega o sareta" means "was injured."

10. Causative form: Expresses "make/let someone do..." For example, "書かせる - kakaseru," "食べさせる - tabesaseru," "させる - saseru." It means "make him write," "let her eat."

These forms might seem numerous, but you'll get used to them with practice. The Te-form and Ta-form, in particular, are very high-frequency and appear almost daily in casual conversation. When learning, you can start with the rules for Group 1 verbs, then memorize the special conjugations for Group 2 and Group 3. Just take it one step at a time, no need to rush.