書きます
kakimasu
The English phrase "I write" is translated to Japanese as 書きます (kakimasu).
The phrase is used by a speaker to state that they perform the action of writing. Depending on the context, 書きます can express both a habitual action ("I write") or a future intention ("I will write").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
書きます is the standard polite form used when speaking to superiors, strangers or in formal settings. The form 書く serves as the standard informal way to say "I write".
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 書く is used in casual speech instead of the polite 書きます. To express the past tense "I wrote", you change the ending to 書きました. To express the negative "I do not write", the form 書きます changes to 書きません.
How do you pronounce it?
kakimasu
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you want to specifically convey the idea of writing by hand, use 手書きします instead of the general term for writing.
Did you know?
- The act of writing is often associated with the concept of 道 or 'the way', as seen in 書道 which is the disciplined art of calligraphy.
- In Japanese, you can omit the word for 'I' entirely because the context and the verb 書きます make the subject clear to the listener.
- The kanji used in 書きます is a pictograph that originally depicted a hand holding a brush, reflecting the historical importance of calligraphy in Japan.
Examples in context
- 歌を書きます。I write songs.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 書きます when writing songs.Tatoeba #13894077 by small_snow, translation #7956597 by AlanF_US
- 月に一度、母に手紙を書きます。I write to my mother once a month.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 書きます when writing letters to a mother.Tatoeba #1174310 by bunbuku, translation #320584 by CK
- 毎月海外の友達に手紙を書きます。I write a letter to a friend overseas every month.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 書きます when writing letters to a friend overseas.Tatoeba #10918558 by small_snow, translation #10918565 by CK
- 私は毎日レポートを書きます。I write reports every day.
- 今日は友達に手紙を書きます。Today, I will write a letter to my friend.
- 授業の時にメモを取ります。I take notes during class.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki趣味は何ですか？Shumi wa nan desu ka?What is your hobby?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕は日記を書きます。Boku wa nikki o kakimasu.I write a diary.
- 美咲 Misaki毎日書きますか？Mainichi kakimasu ka?Do you write every day?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、毎日書きます。Hai, mainichi kakimasu.Yes, I write every day.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
