How to Say ‘Do (polite)’ in Japanese
します
shi masu
[shee mass]
💬 Usage Tip: [します] is a very flexible verb meaning "do," and it also combines with many nouns to make everyday actions: [べんきょうします] (study), [りょうりします] (cook). That makes it a useful building block for talking about hobbies and routines.
Phrase Breakdown
し
shi
[shee]
do (polite stem)
Stem used in します (to do). Often used when talking about hobbies/activities: 〜をします / 〜します.
休みの日に料理をします。
I cook on my days off.
ます
masu
[mass]
polite verb ending (ます-form)
Polite ending attached to a verb stem; makes a polite present/future statement: Vます. Example: します.
ひまなとき、えいがをみます。
When I have free time, I watch movies.
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