What does “hashiru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “hashiru” to mean ‘to run’ in Japanese. Probably, many Japanese learners know this verb as it is often used in Japanese textbooks. In this blog post, however, I will explain this verb with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to use “hashiru” properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meaning of “hashiru”
- Hashiranai: the nai form of “hashiru”
- Hashirou: the volitional form of “hashiru”
- Hashirimasu: the masu form of “hashiru”
- Hashitta: the ta form of “hashiru”
- Hashitte: the te form of “hashiru”
- Hashireba: the ba form of “hashiru”
- Summary
Definition and meaning of “hashiru”
Let me start with the definition and meaning of “hashiru”.
- hashiru – 走る (はしる) : a verb meaning ‘to run’ in Japanese.
The definition and meaning are simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “run” in Japanese
boku wa tamani umi made hashiru – 僕はたまに海まで走る (ぼくはたまにうみまではしる)
I occasionally run to the sea.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
- tamani – たまに : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘occasionally’ in Japanese.
- umi – 海 (うみ) : a noun meaning ‘sea’ or ‘ocean’ in Japanese.
- made – まで : an adverbial particle used to say where someone or something goes. In the example, this is used to indicate the destination of the run.
This is a typical usage of “hashiru”. In the example, it works together with the adverbial particle, “made”, to have the object – the destination of the run. When we want to mean ‘to run’ in Japanese, anyway, this verb is a very good option.
In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain major conjugations of “hashiru”. The first one is “hashiranai”.
Hashiranai: the nai form of “hashiru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “hashiranai”.
- hashiranai – 走らない (はしらない) : the nai form of “hashiru”, which means ‘not to run’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “hashiranai” consists of the following two parts:
- hashira – 走ら (はしら) : one conjugation of “hashiru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “hashiranai” is literally the nai form of “hashiru” and means ‘not to run’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “don’t run” in Japanese
kyou wa hashiranai – 今日は走らない (きょうははしらない)
I don’t run today.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- kyou – 今日 (きょう) : a noun meaning ‘today’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb. In the example, this works together with the topic marker, “wa”, to make the adverb phrase in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “hashiranai”. When we want to mean ‘not to run’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Hashirou: the volitional form of “hashiru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “hashiru”.
- hashirou – 走ろう (はしろう) : the volitional form of “hashiru”, which expresses volition to run.
Grammatically, “hashirou” consists of the following two parts:
- hashiro – 走ろ (はしろ) : one conjugation of “hashiru”. This can have a smooth connection with “u”.
- u – う : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “hashirou” is literally the volitional form of “hashiru” and expresses volition to run. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s run” in Japanese
sunahama de hashirou – 砂浜で走ろう (すなはまではしろう)
Let’s run on the beach!
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- sunahama – 砂浜 (すなはま) : a noun meaning ‘beach’ in Japanese.
- de – で : a case particle used to say where someone does something. In the example, this is used after “sunahama” to say where the speakers run.
This is a typical usage of “hashirou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s run” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Hashirimasu: the masu form of “hashiru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “hashirimasu”.
- hashirimasu – 走ります (はしります) : the masu form of “hashiru”, which means ‘to run’ politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “hashirimasu” consists of the following two parts:
- hashiri – 走り (はしり) : one conjugation of “hashiru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “hashirimasu” is literally the masu form of “hashiru” and means ‘to run’ politely in Japanese. Let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “run” politely in Japanese
boku tachi wa mainichi ichi jikan hashirimasu – 僕達は毎日一時間走ります (ぼくたちはまいにちいちじかんはしります)
We run for an hour every day.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “boku” to make its plural form, “boku tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- mainichi – 毎日 (まいにち) : an adverb meaning ‘every day’ in Japanese.
- ichi – 一 (いち) : a numeral meaning ‘one’ in Japanese.
- jikan – 時間 (じかん) : a counter for hours.
This is a typical usage of “hashirimasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “run” politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.
Hashitta: the ta form of “hashiru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “hashitta”.
- hashitta – 走った (はしった) : the ta form of “hashiru”, which means ‘run’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “hashitta” consists of the following two parts:
- hashit – 走っ (はしっ) : one conjugation of “hashiru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “hashitta” is literally the past form of “hashiru” and means ‘run’ in Japanese. Let me explain its usage through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “run” in Japanese
boku tachi wa ano byouin made hashitta – 僕達はあの病院まで走った (ぼくたちはあのびょういんまではしった)
We run to that hospital.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- ano – あの : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing not close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “byouin” to say “that hospital” in Japanese.
- byouin – 病院 (びょういん) : a noun meaning ‘hospital’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “hashitta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “hashiru”, it is a very good option.
Hashitte: the te form of “hashiru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “hashitte”.
- hashitte – 走って (はしって) : the te form of “hashiru”, which means ‘to run’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “hashitte” consists of the following two parts:
- hashit – 走っ (はしっ) : one conjugation of “hashiru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “hashitte” is literally the te form of “hashiru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “hashitte” is very useful when we want to use “hashiru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “run and” in Japanese
boku wa itsumo hashitte nigeru – 僕はいつも走って逃げる (ぼくはいつもはしってにげる)
I always run and escape.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- itsumo – いつも : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘always’ in Japanese.
- nigeru – 逃げる (にげる) : a verb meaning ‘to escape’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “hashitte”. In this example, it has the smooth connection with “nigeru”. When we want to use “hashiru” in front of another verb, its te form is very useful.
Hashireba: the ba form of “hashiru”
Below are the definition and meaning of “hashireba”.
- hashireba – 走れば (はしれば) : the ba form of “hashiru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to run’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “hashireba” consists of the following two parts:
- hashire – 走れ (はしれ) : one conjugation of “hashiru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “hashireba” is literally the ba form of “hashiru”. In Japanese, ba-formed words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “hashireba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to run’. Let me explain its usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if run” in Japanese
mainichi hashireba kenkou ni naru – 毎日走れば健康になる (まいにちはしればけんこうになる)
If you run every day, you’ll get fit.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kenkou – 健康 (けんこう) : a noun meaning ‘health’ in Japanese.
- ni – に : a case particle used to say what state someone or something is in after a change or action. In the example, this is used after “kenkou” to indicate the state in which the listener will be in.
- naru – なる : a verb meaning ‘to get’, ‘to become’, ‘to turn’, or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “hashireba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “mainichi hashireba”, which means ‘if you run every day’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to run’, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained “hashiru” and its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- hashiru – 走る (はしる) : a verb meaning ‘to run’ in Japanese.
- hashiranai – 走らない (はしらない) : the nai form of “hashiru”, which means ‘not to run’ in Japanese.
- hashirou – 走ろう (はしろう) : the volitional form of “hashiru”, which expresses volition to run.
- hashirimasu – 走ります (はしります) : the masu form of “hashiru”, which means ‘to run’ politely in Japanese.
- hashitta – 走った (はしった) : the ta form of “hashiru”, which means ‘run’ in Japanese.
- hashitte – 走って (はしって) : the te form of “hashiru”, which means ‘to run’ in Japanese.
- hashireba – 走れば (はしれば) : the ba form of “hashiru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to run’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
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