Here's how I was taught verb conjugation. First, we learnt verbs in the -masu form. Nomimasu, tabemasu and so on. Then we learnt this song (to the tune of Cl

Here's how I was taught verb conjugation. First, we learnt verbs in the -masu form. Nomimasu, tabemasu and so on. Then we learnt this song (to the tune of Clementine) chi ri i tte mi ni bi nde kiite giite It's a quick mneumonic to help you go from the polite verb to the "te-form" ending. I hummed it in my head while working out the conjugation before it became natural and "obvious".