"Masu" verb form vs "Imperfective" verb form I'm trying to put together a chart for myself, to learn the rules for verb conjugation. However, I'm confused at the "Imperfective" and "Perfective" verb conjugations - aren't they just informal versions of the "Masu" verb forms? To my understanding, the "masu" verb forms are polite ways to say something is either happening or will happen - just like the "Imperfective" verbs(Which appear to just be the dictionary forms?) * For example, "Tabemasu" vs "Taberu" - both mean that something is either being eaten or will be eaten. Likewise, the "mashita" verb forms indicate that something has already happened - just like the "perfective" verb forms. * For example, "Tabemashita" vs "Tabeta" - both mean something has been eaten?

> For example, "Tabemashita" vs "Tabeta" - both mean something has been eaten?

Yes. They do not differ in meaning, only usage.

Keep in mind there are some times when it's inappropriate to use ( _tabeta_ ); typically these are in more formal (or less familiar) situations. Conversely, there are times when it is inappropriate to use ( _tabemashita_ ); typically these are in more familiar situations, among family or friends, or in certain grammatical constructs. (This would also be the case for _taberu_ and _tabemasu_ , and so on.)

If you want to read further on the topic, there's quite a bit of discussion and help surrounding these constructs.

* WordReference forum
* Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese
* About.com