JLPT N5 reference · Basic verbs
Past た-form
The た-form is the plain past affirmative form. Its sound changes match the て-form pattern, with て and で replaced by た and だ.
Core meaning and form
Ichidan verbs add た to the stem. Godan endings group into った, んだ, いた, いだ, or した. 行く is the common exception 行った.
- 食べる → 食べた.
- 書く → 書いた; 読む → 読んだ.
- 話す → 話した; 行く → 行った.
Examples in context
昨日映画を見た。Kinō eiga o mita.I watched a film yesterday.
もう宿題をした。Mō shukudai o shita.I already did the homework.
日本へ行ったことがある。Nihon e itta koto ga aru.I have been to Japan.
Common errors
- Do not use one ending for every godan verb.
- Remember the special form 行った.
Quick summary
- た-form is plain past affirmative.
- Its sound pattern mirrors the て-form.
- It also appears inside experience and conditional structures.