Translation guide
In Japanese, 'tense' is expressed through verb/adjective conjugations and auxiliary constructions. Unlike English, Japanese has only two morphological tenses (past and non-past), and future is usually indicated by context or time words. This guide covers how to express past, present, and future, as well as progressive and perfect aspects.
Expressing that an action or state occurred in the past.
彼は学生だった。
He was a student.
Polite past tense. Use in formal situations.
昨日、映画を見ました。
I watched a movie yesterday. (polite)
昨日は寒かったです。
It was cold yesterday. (polite)
Past progressive or past habitual. Indicates an ongoing action or a repeated state in the past.
その時、雨が降っていた。
It was raining at that time.
子供の頃、よくここで遊んでいた。
I used to play here often as a child.
Expressing present states, habitual actions, or future events.
The dictionary form (plain non-past) covers both present and future. Context or time words clarify the meaning.
毎日、日本語を勉強する。
I study Japanese every day. (habitual present)
明日、映画を見る。
I will watch a movie tomorrow. (future)
この部屋は広い。
This room is spacious. (present state)
Polite non-past. Use in formal settings.
毎日、日本語を勉強します。
I study Japanese every day. (polite)
明日、映画を見ます。
I will watch a movie tomorrow. (polite)
Present progressive or resultative state. Indicates an ongoing action or a state resulting from a past action.
今、雨が降っている。
It is raining now.
彼は結婚している。
He is married. (resultative state)
Specifically expressing future actions or events.
Japanese does not have a dedicated future tense. The non-past form combined with future time expressions (tomorrow, next week, etc.) indicates future.
来週、京都に行く。
I will go to Kyoto next week.
明日は雨が降るでしょう。
It will probably rain tomorrow.
Expresses intention or plan. 'I intend to...' or 'I plan to...'
来年、日本に行くつもりだ。
I plan to go to Japan next year.
Expresses conjecture or probability about the future. 'Probably will...'
彼は来るだろう。
He will probably come.
Expressing that one has done something before or has an experience.
Indicates past experience. 'Have done (something) before.'
日本に行ったことがある。
I have been to Japan.
寿司を食べたことがありますか。
Have you ever eaten sushi?
Expressing that an action was completed before a certain point in the past.
Can also indicate a state resulting from a completed action in the past, similar to past perfect.
彼が来た時、私はもう出かけていた。
When he came, I had already left.
Indicates completion, often with a nuance of regret or unintended result.
宿題を忘れてしまった。
I (accidentally) forgot my homework.
Japanese does not have a morphological future tense. Using the non-past form without a time expression can be ambiguous. Always clarify with context or time words when future meaning is intended.
映画を見る。
I watch movies. / I will watch a movie. (ambiguous without context)
The た-form indicates a simple past action, while ていた indicates an ongoing state or action in the past, or a past habitual action.
昨日、本を読んだ。
I read a book yesterday. (simple past)
昨日、本を読んでいた。
I was reading a book yesterday. (past progressive)