頼む（たのむ）Conjugation
JLPT N4 · Godan verb (Group 1) · Meaning: to ask / request
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 頼む | たのむ |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 頼みます | たのみます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 頼みません | たのみません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 頼みました | たのみました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 頼みませんでした | たのみませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 頼んで | たのんで |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 頼んだ | たのんだ |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 頼まない | たのまない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 頼まなかった | たのまなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 頼める | たのめる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 頼まれる | たのまれる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 頼ませる | たのませる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 頼もう | たのもう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 頼め | たのめ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 頼むな | たのむな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 頼めば | たのめば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 頼んだら | たのんだら |
Example sentences
- 忙しいので、同僚に仕事を頼む。 — I'm busy, so I'll ask a coworker to handle the work.
- 店員に飲み物を頼んだ。 — I ordered a drink from the waiter.
See the word page for "頼む" (meaning, pitch, audio) →