勤める（つとめる）Conjugation
JLPT N1 · Ichidan verb (Group 2) · Meaning: to work/serve
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 勤める | つとめる |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 勤めます | つとめます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 勤めません | つとめません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 勤めました | つとめました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 勤めませんでした | つとめませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 勤めて | つとめて |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 勤めた | つとめた |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 勤めない | つとめない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 勤めなかった | つとめなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 勤められる | つとめられる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 勤められる | つとめられる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 勤めさせる | つとめさせる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 勤めよう | つとめよう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 勤めろ | つとめろ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 勤めるな | つとめるな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 勤めれば | つとめれば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 勤めたら | つとめたら |
Example sentences
- 彼は銀行に勤めている。 — He works at a bank.
- 長年、同じ会社に勤める。 — I've worked at the same company for many years.