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ません. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ません, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ません in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ません you have here. The definition of the word
ません will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
ません, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology 1
From ませぬ (masenu), from まらせぬ (marasenu), from まゐらせぬ (mairasenu), the negative form of 参らす (mairasu, “to do, to give, to offer”). Negative -ぬ (nu) regularly contracts to -ん (n).
Suffix
ません • (-masen)
- A suffix used to form the polite negative present of a verb. The negative form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).
- 出来る (dekiru, “to be able”) → 出来ます (dekimasu, “to be able”, formal) → 出来ません (dekimasen, “to be unable”, formal)
Etymology 2
From ませむ (masemu), from まらせむ (marasemu), from まゐらせむ (mairasemu), the volitional form of 参らす (mairasu, “to do, to give, to offer”). Classical volitional auxiliary -む (mu) regularly contracts to -ん (n).
The same root also serves as a basis for modern ましょう (mashō), from ませう (maseu), based off of an alternative regular contraction of classical volitional auxiliary -む (mu) to -う (u).
Suffix
ません • (-masen)
- (archaic, Edo period) A suffix used to form the polite volitional of a verb. The volitional form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).
Synonyms