読む（よむ）Conjugation
JLPT N5 · Godan verb (Group 1) · Meaning: to read
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 読む | よむ |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 読みます | よみます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 読みません | よみません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 読みました | よみました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 読みませんでした | よみませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 読んで | よんで |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 読んだ | よんだ |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 読まない | よまない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 読まなかった | よまなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 読める | よめる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 読まれる | よまれる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 読ませる | よませる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 読もう | よもう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 読め | よめ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 読むな | よむな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 読めば | よめば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 読んだら | よんだら |
Example sentences
- 毎晩、寝る前に本を読む。 — Every night I read a book before going to bed.
- 新聞を読むのが毎朝の習慣だ。 — Reading the newspaper is my habit every morning.
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