N5verbpolitenegative

ません (masen) - Polite Negative

[Verb stem] + ません

Quick answer

[Verb stem] + ません means "Polite negative present/future". Mastering this N5 structure builds fluency for reading and listening. Full examples and exercises are below.

Meaning

Polite negative present/future

Explanation

ません is the negative form of ます.

Examples

食べません
たべません。
I don't eat / I won't eat.
行きません
いきません。
I don't go / I won't go.

Practice this grammar

[Verb stem] + ません

Which sentence correctly uses "ません (masen) - Polite Negative"?

Vocabulary from these examples

Last updated Jul 4, 2026