Present and future
now, habits, and what is to come
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| AffirmativeI lose | ||
| NegativeI don’t lose |
JAPANESE VERB
なくす
to lose
- #115 most used
- Godan verb (u-verb)
Conjugation
Tap any form to hear it. The part that changes is in colour.
Past
finished actions
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| AffirmativeI lost | ||
| NegativeI didn’t lose |
Te-form
て形 · joining actions, “doing”, requests
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| て-formlosing, and… | ||
| Doing now (て います)I am losing | ||
| Please (て ください)please lose |
Potential
可能形 · “can”
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| AffirmativeI can lose | ||
| NegativeI can’t lose |
Want to
たい形 · “want to”
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| AffirmativeI want to lose | ||
| NegativeI don’t want to lose |
Volitional
意向形 · “let’s”, “I’ll”
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| Let’slet’s lose |
Conditional
条件形 · “if” and “when”
- If (ば) if I lose
- If, when (たら) if I lose
Commands and requests
命令形 · from gentle to blunt
- Do it (なさい) lose (do it)
- Plain command lose!
- Please don’t please don’t lose
Passive and causative
受身形・使役形 · “is done”, “make someone do”
| Form | Polite | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| PassiveI am lost | ||
| CausativeI make someone lose |
How to use なくす
One sentence for each tense, the way people say it.
-
Present and future
ベン は よく かさ を なくします。
Ben often loses his umbrella.
-
Past
どこか で かぎ を なくした。
I lost my key somewhere.
-
Te-form
パスポート を なくして、 こまって います。
I've lost my passport and I'm in trouble.
-
Potential
この ゆびわ は ぜったい なくせない。
I absolutely can't lose this ring.
-
Want to
この きもち を なくしたくない。
I don't want to lose this feeling.
-
Volitional
むだな ざんぎょう を なくそう。
Let's get rid of pointless overtime.
-
Conditional
かぎ を なくしたら、 かんりにん に いって ね。
If you lose your key, tell the building manager.
-
Commands and requests
この ふうとう を なくさないで ください。
Please don't lose this envelope.
-
Passive and causative
おとうと に たいせつな ほん を なくされた。
My little brother lost my precious book.
Where you hear なくす
The lessons that teach a form of it, and how they say it.
Japanese · Intermediate Level 1
- ぼく は よく かぎ を なくす。 I often lose my keys.
- かさ を なくしました。 I lost my umbrella.
- ぜったい なくさない よ。 I definitely won't lose it.
Japanese · Intermediate Level 2
- ベン は よく かぎ を なくす。 Ben often loses his keys.
- きのう、 さいふ を なくした。 I lost my wallet yesterday.
- そうた は あした も なにか なくす と おもう。 I think Sota will lose something tomorrow too.
Verbs like this one
The same pattern, on other verbs: godan verb (u-verb).