褒める（ほめる）Conjugation
JLPT N4 · Ichidan verb (Group 2) · Meaning: to praise
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 褒める | ほめる |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 褒めます | ほめます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 褒めません | ほめません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 褒めました | ほめました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 褒めませんでした | ほめませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 褒めて | ほめて |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 褒めた | ほめた |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 褒めない | ほめない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 褒めなかった | ほめなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 褒められる | ほめられる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 褒められる | ほめられる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 褒めさせる | ほめさせる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 褒めよう | ほめよう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 褒めろ | ほめろ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 褒めるな | ほめるな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 褒めれば | ほめれば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 褒めたら | ほめたら |
Example sentences
- 先生が生徒の作文を褒めた。 — The teacher praised the student's essay.
- 子供をたくさん褒めて育てる。 — I raise my children by praising them a lot.