Last updated: July 6, 2026

September 2023 (VOL.191)
Kaku 書く
In Japanese, kaku is written 書く, a JLPT N5 verb. This kaku conjugation guide covers every key form, from “kakanai” to “kakimashita.”
Kaku means “to write”
Ken
Nani wo kaite iru no?
What are you writing?

Aya
koibito ni tegami wo kaite imasu.
I am writing a letter to my boyfriend.

Ken
Itsumo kaku no?
Do you often write him a letter?
Aya
Jitsuwa kaita koto ga nai desu.
Actually, I have never written a letter.
Ken
Boku tomodachi ni yoku kaku yo.
I write letters to a friend often.

Aya
Kaki kata oshiete!
Teach me how to write!

Kaku Conjugation Table (All Forms)
| write | write (polite) | wrote | wrote (polite) | is writing | was writing | have written | can write | want to write | Write! | Please write | |
| positive | Kaku | Kaki masu | Kaita | Kaki mashita | Kaite iru | Kaite ita | Kaita koto ga aru | Kakeru | Kaki tai | Kaite! | Kaite kudasai |
| negative | Kakanai | Kaki masen | Kakana katta | Kaki masen deshita | Kaite inai | Kaite inakatta | Kaita koto ga nai | Kakenai | Kaki takunai | – | Kakanaide kudasai |
Kaku Example Sentences
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Maishu tegami wo kaku.
I write a letter every week.

Itsuka hon wo kakitai.
I want to write a novel someday.

Neru mae ni nikki wo kaki masu.
I write in my journal before bed.

Uta wo kaite imashita.
I was writing a song.

Tesuto ni namae wo kakana katta.
I didn’t write my name on an exam paper.

Nihongo wo kakeru.
I can write a Japanese.
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