Learn Hardcore Japanese: karita tizu wo asita kaesimasu. - I will return the borrowed map tomorrow.

借りた (かりた) is the plain past form of the verb 借りる (“to borrow”). In Japanese, when you turn a verb into its past tense in plain form, a godan verb like 借りる becomes 借りた, meaning “borrowed.”

Why is 借りた placed before 地図 rather than after?

In Japanese, relative clauses (clauses that describe or modify a noun) always precede the noun they modify. Here, 借りた describes 地図, so “the map (that was) borrowed” becomes 借りた地図.

What role does the particle を play in this sentence?

The particle を marks 地図 as the direct object of the verb 返します (“to return”). It tells us what is being returned.

Why is 明日 placed immediately before 返します? Can I change its position?

Time expressions like 明日 (“tomorrow”) are typically placed before the verb to indicate when the action occurs. Japanese word order is relatively flexible, so you could say 地図を明日返します or 明日地図を返します, but putting the time phrase first (as in 明日地図を返します) often sounds more natural.

Why is there no subject in the sentence?

Japanese often omits the subject when it’s clear from context. In 借りた地図を明日返します。, it’s understood that the speaker (I/we) will return the map, so there’s no need to state 私は or 僕は explicitly.

Why is 借りた in plain form while 返します is polite?

Relative clauses (like 借りた modifying 地図) always use the plain (dictionary or plain past) form, even in otherwise polite sentences. The main verb 返します is in the polite present affirmative form, so the overall tone stays polite.

What is the dictionary form of 返します, and how is it conjugated to polite form?

The dictionary form is 返す (かえす), a godan verb meaning “to return.” To make it polite present affirmative, change the す ending to します, giving 返します.

How do you read 地図, and what does it mean?

地図 is read ちず and means “map.” The kanji 地 means “earth/ground,” and 図 means “diagram/chart.”