ません

(Redirected from -ません)

Japanese edit

Etymology 1 edit

From ませぬ (masenu), from まらせぬ (marasenu), from まゐらせぬ (mairasenu), the negative form of (まゐ)らす (mairasu, to do, to give, to offer). Negative - (nu) regularly contracts to - (n).

Suffix edit

ません (-masen

  1. A suffix used to form the polite negative present of a verb. The negative form of the polite suffix -ます (-masu).
    出来(でき) (dekiru, to be able)出来(でき)ます (dekimasu, to be able, formal)出来(でき)ません (dekimasen, to be unable, formal)

Etymology 2 edit

From ませむ (masemu), from まらせむ (marasemu), from まゐらせむ (mairasemu), the volitional form of (まゐ)らす (mairasu, to do, to give, to offer). Classical volitional auxiliary - (mu) regularly contracts to - (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 - (mu) to - (u).

Suffix edit

ません (-masen

  1. (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 edit