Vmasu as a Noun (vmasu as a noun)

Meaning & usage

The masu-stem of a verb can work as a noun that names the act itself, such as 休み for rest or 楽しみ for enjoyment. Form it by removing ます from the polite form, as in 休みます becoming 休み and 話します becoming 話し. Two stems are often paired into one compound like 読み書き or 貸し借り, and the resulting noun takes particles like を or は. Note that not every verb stem is used this way in natural Japanese, so learn established nouns individually.

Example sentences 8

1. 図書館としょかんで読よみ書かきを練習れんしゅうしています。

   I'm practicing reading and writing at the library.

2. 兄弟の貸し借りでけんかになった。

   The brothers got into a fight over lending and borrowing.

3. 試合の勝ち負けより楽しむことが大事だ。

   Enjoying the game matters more than winning or losing.

4. 週末の楽しみは映画を見ることです。

   My weekend treat is watching movies.

5. 疲れた時の休みは大切です。

   Resting when you are tired is important.

6. 駅からの帰りにパンを買います。

   I buy bread on my way home from the station.

7. この仕事の始まりは四月でした。

   This job started in April.

8. 友達との話し合いは長くなった。

   My talk with my friend went on for a long time.