Japanese verbs are divided into three main groups: る-verbs (Ichidan), う-verbs (Godan), and irregular verbs. Understanding these groups is essential for conjugating verbs correctly.
1. る-verbs (Ichidan Verbs)
る-verbs, also called Ichidan verbs, end with る in their dictionary form and have a vowel sound before る (usually e or i). They are the easiest to conjugate.
💡 What Makes a Verb a る-Verb?
A verb is classified as a る-verb if:
| Verb (Dictionary Form) | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| たべる | べ ends in "e" + る | to eat |
| みる | み ends in "i" + る | to see / to look |
| おきる | き ends in "i" + る | to wake up |
| ねる | ね ends in "e" + る | to sleep |
| いる | い ends in "i" + る | to exist (animated object) |
⚠️ Not all verbs ending in る are Ichidan verbs! Some are う-verbs, like はしる (to run), so it's important to memorize exceptions.
いる is a special る-verb that means "to exist" for animated objects (like people and animals). It is often used with the particle が to indicate existence.
Example: ねこがいる (There is a cat).
This is different from ある, which is used for inanimate objects (like books or tables).
2. う-verbs (Godan Verbs)
う-verbs, or Godan verbs, end with a u-sound syllable (う, く, す, つ, ぬ, ぶ, む, る, or ぐ) in their dictionary form.
| Verb (Dictionary Form) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| のむ | to drink |
| かく | to write |
| はなす | to speak |
| いく | to go |
| あるく | to walk |
| よむ | to read |
| とる | to take |
| ある | to exist (inanimate object) |
ある is a special う-verb that means "to exist" for inanimate objects (like books, tables, or plants). It is often used with the particle が to indicate existence.
Example: ほんがある (There is a book).
This is different from いる, which is used for animated objects (like people and animals).
3. Irregular Verbs
There are only two truly irregular verbs in Japanese.
| Verb (Dictionary Form) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| する | to do |
| くる | to come |
💡 Final Tips