1.
realis form; perfective base
A conjugation form in classical Japanese grammar that indicates the action has already been realized or completed. In modern grammar, this form has been reclassified as the hypothetical form (仮定形), but the term 已然形 is still used when discussing classical texts.
已然形は古典文法の用語だ。
The realis form is a term from classical grammar.
已然形に「ば」が付くと確定条件を表す。
When ば is attached to the realis form, it expresses a definite condition.
現代文法で仮定形と呼ばれる形は、古典文法では已然形に相当する。
The form called the hypothetical form in modern grammar corresponds to the realis form in classical grammar.
A grammatical term from classical Japanese (古典文法). The character 已 means "already," so 已然形 literally means "the form for what has already happened." In classical Japanese, this form followed by ば expressed a realized condition ("since/because X happened"), unlike the modern hypothetical use ("if X").
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 已然形＋ば: realis form + ba (confirmed condition)
- 六活用形: the six conjugation forms (of which 已然形 is one)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 仮定形: hypothetical form — the modern grammar equivalent; expresses "if" rather than "since"
- 未然形: irrealis form — the opposite conjugation base, expressing what has not yet happened