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I may be using the wrong term, but I understand the infinitive form of a verb
in Japanese to be the form we add ～ます to. In the case of ichidan verbs, we
take away the ～る and add ～ます、and for godan verbs we change the ending う-line
to an い-line and add ～ます. Why then, is くださる not conjugated as くださります in
infinitve form, and instead conjugated as くださいます? Additionally, why do we only
use ください most of the time?

EDIT: To clarify, I'm interested both in the functional purpose of this, and
any historical or cultural purpose of this if they exist. Thank you!
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-27T07:47:50.740
42921
2017-06-03T13:03:33.520
19577
question
grammar verbs conjugations politeness godan-verbs
Why does くださる have an irregular infinitive form (ください)?
It is just because it is easier to pronounce. It is called イ音便.

This also happens in English like "I am" and "I'm."

But, since this change started around 8th century, now it is rather natural to
say in イ音便 form.
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2017-02-03T09:37:16.143
43160
2017-02-03T09:37:16.143
8010
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answer
くださる is a keigo verb. Keigo is the polite _"language"_ , and it's divided
into:

Sonkei-go - Courteous language (it's not excessively polite). Kenjô-go -
Humble language (used to talk about yourself or people next to you to your
superiors. Teinei-go - Honorific language (used to talk about your
interlocutor when he's superior than you).

Every kind of keigo has its own verbs. And some of them have a different
conjugation. Don't worry they're only five:

くださる

なさる

いらっしゃる

ござる

おっしゃる

They're conjugated the same as every godan verb, but the "り" which should be
before "ます" is changed by an "い".
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-05T11:19:07.107
44088
2017-03-05T11:19:07.107
20130
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answer