Japanese, like many languages, has a way to express future actions or events. The Japanese future tense is relatively simple compared to some other languages, as it doesn’t require any conjugation of verbs or the use of auxiliary verbs. Instead, it relies on context and specific time expressions to indicate future actions or events. In this introduction to the Japanese future tense, we will explore how to express the future using different sentence structures and provide example sentences for better understanding.
Basic Sentence Structure
In Japanese, the basic sentence structure is subject-object-verb (SOV). To express future actions, you can use this structure and provide a time reference to indicate the future. The time reference can be a specific time or a general indication of the future. Let’s look at some examples:
私は明日東京に行きます。
Watashi wa ashita Tōkyō ni ikimasu.
(I will go to Tokyo tomorrow.)
彼は来週試験を受けます。
Kare wa raishū shiken o ukemasu.
(He will take the exam next week.)
In these examples, the time references “明日” (ashita) meaning “tomorrow” and “来週” (raishū) meaning “next week” indicate that the actions of going to Tokyo and taking the exam will happen in the future.
Time Expressions for the Future
Apart from using specific time references, there are also some common time expressions in Japanese that imply the future without explicitly stating it. Here are a few examples:
今晩 (konban) – tonight
週末 (shūmatsu) – weekend
来月 (raigetsu) – next month
年末 (nenmatsu) – end of the year
Using these time expressions along with the basic sentence structure, we can construct sentences to indicate future actions or events. Let’s see some examples:
彼は今晩映画を見ます。
Kare wa konban eiga o mimasu.
(He will watch a movie tonight.)
私たちは週末に旅行します。
Watashitachi wa shūmatsu ni ryokō shimasu.
(We will travel on the weekend.)
Potential Form for Possibilities
In addition to the basic sentence structure and time expressions, the potential form of verbs can also be used to express future possibilities. The potential form indicates the ability or possibility of doing something. By combining the potential form with time references, you can express future actions or events with a sense of possibility. Here are a couple of examples:
私は明日試験に合格できるかもしれません。
Watashi wa ashita shiken ni gōkaku dekiru kamoshiremasen.
(I might pass the exam tomorrow.)
彼は来年アメリカに行けるかもしれません。
Kare wa rainen Amerika ni ikeru kamoshiremasen.
(He might be able to go to America next year.)
In these sentences, the potential forms of the verbs “合格できる” (gōkaku dekiru) and “行ける” (ikeru) indicate the possibility of passing the exam and going to America, respectively.
Using つもり (tsumori) for Intentions
Another way to express future actions or events in Japanese is by using the phrase “つもり” (tsumori), which roughly translates to “intend to” or “plan to.” This phrase is used to convey the speaker’s intention or plan to do something in the future. Let’s look at some examples:
私は明日東京に行くつもりです。
Watashi wa ashita Tōkyō ni iku tsumori desu.
(I intend to go to Tokyo tomorrow.)
彼は来週試験を受けるつもりです。
Kare wa raishū shiken o ukeru tsumori desu.
(He plans to take the exam next week.)
In these sentences, the phrase “行くつもりです” (iku tsumori desu) and “受けるつもりです” (ukeru tsumori desu) indicate the speaker’s intention to go to Tokyo and take the exam.
Conditional Form for Future Events
In Japanese, the conditional form of verbs can also be used to express future actions or events. The conditional form is created by replacing the final “u” sound of the verb with “eba” or “tara.” By combining the conditional form with time references, you can convey future events that depend on a certain condition. Here are a couple of examples:
雨が降れば、ピクニックは中止です。
Ame ga fureba, pikunikku wa chūshi desu.
(If it rains, the picnic will be canceled.)
試験が終わったら、パーティーをします。
Shiken ga owattara, pātī o shimasu.
(After the exam finishes, we will have a party.)
In these sentences, the conditional forms “降れば” (fureba) and “終わったら” (owattara) indicate that the actions of canceling the picnic and having a party will happen in the future depending on the condition stated.
Conclusion
In Japanese, expressing the future tense doesn’t involve complex verb conjugations or the use of auxiliary verbs. Instead, it relies on context, time references, and specific sentence structures to indicate future actions or events. By using the basic sentence structure, time expressions, potential form, phrases like “つもり,” and the conditional form, you can accurately convey future intentions, possibilities, and events in Japanese. Practice constructing sentences with these structures and expressions to gain a better understanding of how to use the Japanese future tense effectively
Originally posted 2023-07-16 10:23:16.