Introduction to Verbs
Introduction
There are three types of verbs in Japanese: godan, ichidan and irregular verbs. The rules for conjugating these verbs differs depending on the type. Like adjectives, Japanese verbs also have a formal and informal conjugation forms. Let’s learn about each type of verb and how to use them effectively
Godan Verbs
Godan verbs are a class of Japanese verbs that end in う (u) sound either as a individual vowel or consonant-vowel pair. Some examples include the verbs 話す (hanasu) [to talk], 泳ぐ (oyogu) [to swim], 買う (kau) [to buy] and 行く (iku) [to go].
Conjugation of Godan Verbs
For the verb endings: う(u) , く (ku), む (mu), ぶ (bu), ぐ (gu):
Change the final う (u) sound to い (i) to form the verb root, then follow the instructions below to obtain the desired conjugation:
Present (Positive): verb root + masu
Present (Negative): verb root + masen
Past (Positive): verb root + mashita
Past (Negative): verb root + masen deshita
In order to obtain the te form of godan verbs, you need to follow the following instructions depending on the verb ending.
う (u): replace u with って (tte) Example: 買う (kau) –> 買って (katte)
く (ku): replace ku with い (i) and add て (te) Example: 書く (kaku) –> 書いて (kaitte)
ぐ (gu): replace gu with い (i) and add で (de) Example: 泳ぐ (oyogu) –> 泳いで (oyoide)
む (mu): replace mu with ん (n) and add で (de) Example 読む (yomu) –> 読んで (yonde)
ぶ (bu): replace ぶ with ん (n) and add で (de) Example 呼ぶ (yobu) –> 呼んで(yonde)
Exceptions
The following godan verbs do not follow the normal conjugation pattern for obtaining the te-form
行く (iku) –> 行って (itte)
Conjugation Table 1
Iku (to go) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | ikimasu | ikimasen |
Past | ikimashita | ikimasen deshita |
Imperative | itte | ikanaide |
Conjugation Table 2
Iu (to say) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | iimasu | iimasen |
Past | iimashita | iimasen deshita |
Imperative | itte | iwanaide |
Conjugation Table 3
Iu (to say) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | iimasu | iimasen |
Past | iimashita | iimasen deshita |
Imperative | itte | iwanaide |
Ichidan Verbs
Ichidan Verbs are a class of Japanese verb that end in る (ru). Some examples are the verbs 食べる (taberu) [to eat], 見る (miru) [to see], and できる (dekiru) [to be able to do].
Conjugation of Ichidan Verbs
To obtain the root verb, simply remove る (ru), then follow the instructions below to obtain the desired conjugation
Present (Positive): root verb + masu
Present (Negative): root verb + masen
Past (Positive): root verb + mashita
Past (Negative): root verb + masen deshita
In order to obtain the te form of ichidan verbs, you simply need to remove る (ru) and add て (te)
Examples
1. 食べる (taberu) –> 食べて (tabete)
2. 見る (miru) –> 見て (mite)
3. できる (dekiru) –> できて (dekite)
Conjugation Table 4
taberu (to eat) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | tabemasu | tabemasen |
Past | tabemashita | tabemasen deshita |
Imperative | tabete | tabenaide |
Conjugation Table 5
hajimaru (to begin) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | hajimemasu | hajimemasen |
Past | hajimemashita | hajimemasen deshita |
Imperative | hajimete | hajimenaide |
Irregular Verbs
There are two irregular verbs in Japanese: suru and kuru. Unlike godan and ichidan verbs, these verbs don’t follow the normal verb conjugation patterns. Their conjugations must be individually memorized.
Conjugation Table 5
suru (to do) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | shimasu | shimasen |
Past | shimashita | shimasen deshita |
Imperative | shite | shinaide |
Conjugation Table 5
kuru (to do) | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
Present | kimasu | kimasen |
Past | kimashita | kimasen deshita |
Imperative | kite | konaide |
Tricky Godan Verbs
Some verbs end in る (ru) that appear like ichidan verbs are actually godan verbs in disguise. Furthermore these tricky godan verbs are actually fairly common, so its important to be aware of these when learning new verbs. Since these verbs are godan verbs they follow the same conjugation patterns are normal godan verbs. I’ve compiled a list of some of these godan verbs.
List of Essential Tricky Godan Verbs
帰る (kaeru) [to go home]
戻る (modoru) [to return/go back]
なる (naru) [to become]
始まる (hajimaru) [to begin]
喋る (shaberu) [to chat]
乗る (noru) [to board/get on]
入る (hairu) [to enter]
ある (aru) [to exist]
作る (tsukuru) [to make]
いる (iru) [to need]
Summary
Godan Verbs
Verbs that end with the sound う (u) either as a vowel or consonant-vowel pair
Conjugation Rules
Change the final う (u) sound to い (i) to form the verb root
Present (Positive): verb root + masu
Present (Negative): verb root + masen
Past (Positive): verb root + mashita
Past (Negative): verb root + masen deshita
Ichidan Verbs
Verbs that end with in る (ru)
Conjugation Rules
Remove る (ru) to form the verb root
Present (Positive): root verb + masu
Present (Negative): root verb + masen
Past (Positive): root verb + mashita
Past (Negative): root verb + masen deshita
Tricky Godan Verbs
Godan verbs that are disguised as Ichidan verbs and end in る (ru)
Use same conjugation rules as normal Godan verbs
Irregular Verbs
Verbs that do not follow verb conjugation patterns which are する (suru) and くる (kuru)
See chart above for conjugations
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