konnichiwa! i need help with the word imasu, i would just like to know how it is used and when it is used. oh and btw this course is fantastic!
Imasu
Domenik-G
April 28, 2011
Sayaka-Matsuura
May 4, 2011
Domenik-san,
Imasu - by itself means "I/he/she/it/they/we is/are present."
So, for example, "Watashi was koko ni imasu" means "I am (present) here" or, "Sayaka wa imasu" - means "Sayaka is present".
When used after te-form of verbs, such as TABETE IMASU - this gives the verb "eating" so WATASHI WA TABETE IMASU is "I am eating". You can think of it as the "-ing" form of Japanese verbs.
Tabete imasu "I am eating"
Kiite imasu "I am listening"
Benkyou shite imasu "I am studying"... etc
Hope that helps!
-Sayaka ;)