憎む（にくむ）Conjugation
JLPT N3 · Godan verb (Group 1) · Meaning: to hate
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 憎む | にくむ |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 憎みます | にくみます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 憎みません | にくみません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 憎みました | にくみました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 憎みませんでした | にくみませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 憎んで | にくんで |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 憎んだ | にくんだ |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 憎まない | にくまない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 憎まなかった | にくまなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 憎める | にくめる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 憎まれる | にくまれる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 憎ませる | にくませる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 憎もう | にくもう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 憎め | にくめ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 憎むな | にくむな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 憎めば | にくめば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 憎んだら | にくんだら |
Example sentences
- 罪を憎んで人を憎まず。 — Hate the sin, not the sinner.
- 人を憎むより、許すほうが楽だ。 — It's easier to forgive than to hate someone.