Japanese verbs have conjugations.「買う(かう、kau)」is a verb and means “buy” or “will buy.” We will teach you the conjugation on this page. You can also learn example sentences using verb conjugations.
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Vocabulary Video
Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and ます forms.
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Dictionary Form/ます Form
As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.
English Meaning: buy, will buy
Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Dictionary & Plain Form | 買う | kau |
ます & Polite Form | 買います | kaimasu |
「辞書形 (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形 (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.
I’ll buy a washing machine tomorrow morning.
明日、午前中に洗濯機を買う。 (Plain Form)
明日、午前中に洗濯機を買います。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not buy, will not buy
Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Plain Form | 買わない | kawanai |
Polite Form | 買いません | kaimasen |
I won’t buy a washing machine this year.
今年は洗濯機を買わない。(Plain Form)
今年は洗濯機を買いません。(Polite Form)
Past Tense
English Meaning: bought
The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.
Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
た & Plain Form | 買った | katta |
Polite Form | 買いました | kaimashita |
My father bought a car yesterday.
昨日、父が車を買った。(Plain Form)
昨日、父が車を買いました。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: did not buy
Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Plain Form | 買わなかった | kawanakatta |
Polite Form | 買いませんでした | kaimasen deshita |
My father didn’t buy a car yesterday.
昨日、父は車を買なかった。(Plain Form)
昨日、父は車を買いませんでした。(Polite Form)
て Form
English Meaning: N/A
We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.
Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
て Form | 買って | katte |
About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「~てください。」: Here
I bought a cake and went to my friend’s house.
ケーキを買って、友達の家に行きました。(Polite Form)
In this case,「て」indicates “and” or “after.”
Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination
English Meaning: will buy
Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
Plain Form | 買おう | kaō |
Polite Form | N/A | N/A |
This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.
I’ll buy a bicycle next month.
来月、自転車を買おう。(Plain Form)
Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation
English Meaning: let’s buy
Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
Plain Form | 買おう | kaō |
Polite Form | 買いましょう | kaimashō |
Let’s buy some crepes in Harajuku!
原宿でクレープを買おう。(Plain Form)
原宿でクレープを買いましょう。(Polite Form)
Imperative Form
English Meaning: buy! (order, command)
Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Plain Form | 買え | kae |
Buy these shoes!
この靴を買え。(Plain Form)
“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order
English Meaning: do not buy!
Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Plain Form | 買うな | kauna |
Don’t buy expensive things!
高い物を買うな。(Plain Form)
Conditional Form
English Meaning: if (subject) buy
Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
買えば | kaeba |
If you buy a fan, it will be cooler.
扇風機を買えば、涼しくなるでしょう。(Polite Form)
Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions
English Meanings: if/when ~ buy, ~ bought and ~
The form「~たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.
Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
買ったら | kattara |
Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”
I bought a new microwave and cooking became easier.
新しい電子レンジを買ったら、料理が楽になりました。(Polite Form)
Causative Form
English Meaning: make/let/have (person) buy
Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Plain Form | 買わせる | kawaseru |
Polite Form | 買わせます | kawasemasu |
I’ll let my boyfriend buy our wedding ring.
彼氏に結婚指輪を買わせる。(Plain Form)
彼氏に結婚指輪を買わせます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) buy
Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
Plain Form | 買わせない | kawasenai |
Polite Form | 買わせません | kawasemasen |
I won’t let my son buy alcohol.
息子にお酒を買わせない。 (Plain Form)
息子にお酒を買わせません。(Polite Form)
Potential Verb
「可能動詞 (potential verb/s)」is a verb classification that indicates “be able to” or “can do something.”「書ける(かける、kakeru)」is one of the potential verbs.「書く」and「書ける」are different verbs in Japanese. The details of the potential verb「書ける」is here:
To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations
Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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