顔色を読む（かおいろをよむ）Conjugation
JLPT N1 · Godan verb (Group 1) · Meaning: to read someone's expression/mood
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 顔色を読む | かおいろをよむ |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 顔色を読みます | かおいろをよみます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 顔色を読みません | かおいろをよみません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 顔色を読みました | かおいろをよみました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 顔色を読みませんでした | かおいろをよみませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 顔色を読んで | かおいろをよんで |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 顔色を読んだ | かおいろをよんだ |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 顔色を読まない | かおいろをよまない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 顔色を読まなかった | かおいろをよまなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 顔色を読める | かおいろをよめる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 顔色を読まれる | かおいろをよまれる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 顔色を読ませる | かおいろをよませる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 顔色を読もう | かおいろをよもう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 顔色を読め | かおいろをよめ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 顔色を読むな | かおいろをよむな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 顔色を読めば | かおいろをよめば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 顔色を読んだら | かおいろをよんだら |
Example sentences
- 相手の顔色を読んで話す。 — Speak while reading the other person's expression.
- 顔色を読みすぎて疲れる。 — Reading people's expressions too much is exhausting.