Verb Negatives - Ru

Negative meaning of the verb

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to form the past tense (過去形(かこけい)) of Japanese verbs to talk about actions or states that have already happened. Forming the negative of ru-verbs is a piece of cake compared to u-verbs.

To form the negative, simply remove the る and add ない.

Dictionary Form	Negative
出(で)る go out	出(で)ない don't go out
食(た)べる eat	食(た)べない don't eat

Dictionary Form

Negative

出(で)る go out

出(で)ない don't go out

食(た)べる eat

食(た)べない don't eat

That's it. No exceptions!

私(わたし)は朝(あさ)ご飯(はん)を食(た)べない。

I don’t eat breakfast.

彼女(かのじょ)は彼(かれ)の言葉(ことば)を信(しん)じない。

She doesn’t believe his words.

Related Grammar Points

Prerequisites

Verb Basics - Ru