This is a polite verb ending. You use it to show respect. It is the basic way to speak politely in Japanese.
Verb [stem] + ますPrimary
This is a polite verb ending. You use it to show respect. It is the basic way to speak politely in Japanese.
去年、友達と京都へ行きました。
I went to Kyoto with a friend last year.
すみません、今は時間がありません。
I'm sorry, I don't have time right now.
毎日、日本語を勉強します。
I study Japanese every day.
電話しましたが、誰も出ませんでした。
I called, but nobody answered.
このレストランは料理も美味しいですし、サービスも良いので気に入っています。
This restaurant's food is delicious and the service is good, so I like it.
Imagine 'ます' form is like a polite bow. The part before the bow is the verb stem. This stem can connect sentences. It makes your speaking or writing flow smoothly. It is like saying 'and' or 'then'.
The "-masu" form is polite. The plain form is casual. Use "-masu" for people you don't know well. Use the plain form for close friends.
Watch out: Do not use 'ます' when you describe a noun. You must use the plain form instead. For example, say '昨日映画館で見た映画' (the movie I saw at the theater yesterday). Do not say '昨日映画館で見ます映画'.
Use this when you want to show respect. It is good for talking to people you do not know well. It is also good for talking to people like co-workers or shop staff. If you stop using it, it means you are closer to that person.
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