Japanese Verbs: Complete Guide to Conjugation and Usage

Japanese verbs are the backbone of sentence construction, allowing you to express actions, states, and possibilities. Unlike English verbs, Japanese verbs follow consistent conjugation patterns that, once learned, enable you to form countless expressions. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Japanese verbs.

Verb Classification: Three Groups

Japanese verbs are classified into three groups based on their conjugation patterns. Understanding these groups is essential because conjugation rules differ for each group.

Godan verbs (五段動詞, godan dōshi), also called u-verbs, conjugate across five rows (godan means "five-level"). Their final sound changes when conjugating. Examples include 行く (iku, to go), 食べる (taberu, to eat), and 書く (kaku, to write). The dictionary form ends in -u, -ku, -gu, -su, -tsu, -nu, -bu, -mu, or -ru.

Ichidan verbs (一段動詞, ichidan dōshi), also called ru-verbs, conjugate within one row (ichidan means "one-level"). They simply replace the -ru ending when conjugating. Examples include 食べる (taberu, to eat), 見る (miru, to see), and 教える (oshieru, to teach). These verbs are easier to conjugate because the stem remains constant.

Irregular verbs (不規則動詞, fukisoku dōshi) don't follow standard patterns. Only two verbs are truly irregular: する (suru, to do) and 来る (kuru, to come). Their conjugations must be memorized individually.

Polite and Plain Forms

Japanese has two main formality levels for verbs: polite (丁寧語, teineigo) and plain (常体, jōtai). The polite form, using ます (masu) or です (desu), is appropriate for formal situations, strangers, and professional contexts. The plain form is used among friends, family, and in casual writing.

To form the polite affirmative, add ます to the verb stem: 食べる → 食べます (tabemasu, to eat). For the polite negative, add ません: 食べません (tabemasen, don't eat). The past tense adds ました (mashita) for affirmative and ませんでした (masen deshita) for negative.

The plain form (dictionary form) serves as the base for all other conjugations. From 食べる (taberu), we get 食べて (tabete, te-form), 食べた (tabeta, past), 食べたい (tabetai, want to eat), and 食べられる (taberareru, can eat/be eaten). Mastering the plain form opens access to all other conjugated forms.

Essential Conjugation Forms

The te-form (て形, te-kei) is perhaps the most versatile Japanese verb form. It connects verbs, creates progressive tense, and forms many grammatical patterns. To form the te-form: for Godan verbs, change the final -u sound to -tte or -de; for Ichidan verbs, replace -ru with -te.

The potential form (可能形, kanōkei) expresses ability or possibility. For Ichidan verbs, replace -ru with -rareru: 食べる → 食べられる (taberareru, can eat). For Godan verbs, change the final -u to -eru: 行く → 行ける (ikeru, can go).

The passive form (受身形, ukemi) shifts the subject to receive the action. Formed by adding -rareru to Ichidan verbs and -areru to Godan verbs. This form is essential for advanced Japanese expression and is frequently encountered in written Japanese.