選ぶ means choosing an item, sometimes from a stated set.
The idea
選ぶ means choosing an item, sometimes from a stated set. This is a godan verb: 選ぶ becomes 選びます in polite speech and 選んで in the て form. The table also shows the polite negative and past. The thing made or chosen normally takes を. Add ください to the て form for a request; ています can describe an action in progress.
| Dictionary form | Polite non-past | Polite negative | Polite past | て form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 選ぶ | 選びます | 選びません | 選びました | 選んで |
Examples
- 本を選びます。I choose a book.
- 赤いかばんを選びました。I chose a red bag.
- メニューから飲み物を選んでください。Please choose a drink from the menu.
- 妹は青い服を選びます。My younger sister chooses blue clothes.
- 今日はケーキを選びません。I am not choosing cake today.
- 友達と店を選んでいます。I am choosing a shop with a friend.
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Watch out
The て form is 選んで, not 選びて; do not attach て to the polite stem.
Try it yourself
本を＿。（選ぶ→ます）
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選びます
選びます is the polite non-past of 選ぶ; context tells whether it refers to a habit or the future.
飲み物を＿ください。（選ぶ→て）
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選んで
選んで is the て form of 選ぶ. Before ください it forms a polite request.
本＿選びます。（を／に）
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を
を marks the direct object: the thing affected by or involved in the action.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
本を＿。（選ぶ→ます）
飲み物を＿ください。（選ぶ→て）
本＿選びます。（を／に）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Make two sentences with this verb, one negative; check their forms against the table.