Introduction to Japanese Verbs
Japanese verbs are an essential part of sentence structure. They are used to express actions, states, and conditions. Verbs in Japanese are categorized into three main groups, each with its own conjugation patterns.
Types of Japanese Verbs
1. Group 1 (Godan Verbs)
These verbs have a wide range of conjugations and are the most common. They change depending on the ending vowel.
- Example: kaku (書く) - to write
- Conjugation pattern: Replace the final syllable with one of the following: -a, -i, -u, -e, or -o.
2. Group 2 (Ichidan Verbs)
These verbs are simpler and have one main conjugation pattern. They are also called "ru-verbs".
- Example: taberu (食べる) - to eat
- Conjugation pattern: Remove the "ru" and add the appropriate conjugation.
3. Irregular Verbs
These verbs don’t follow the regular conjugation patterns and are exceptions.
- Example: suru (する) - to do
- Example: kuru (来る) - to come
Verb Conjugation Patterns
1. Basic Conjugations
Japanese verbs change based on the tense and politeness level. Below are some of the common forms:
- Present (affirmative): kaku (書く) - to write
- Past (affirmative): kakimashita (書きました) - wrote
- Negative (present): kakanai (書かない) - don't write
- Negative (past): kakanakatta (書かなかった) - didn't write
2. Polite Form
The polite form is used in formal settings. Most verbs can be conjugated to the polite form by adding "masu" to the verb stem.
- Example: tabe (食べ) + masu = tabemasu (食べます) - to eat (polite)
3. Te-form
The "te-form" is used for making requests, linking sentences, and forming progressive tenses. Example:
- Example: kaku (書く) → kaite (書いて) - writing
4. Potential Form
The potential form expresses the ability or possibility of an action.
- Example: kaku (書く) → kakeru (書ける) - can write
5. Volitional Form
The volitional form expresses intention or will to do something.
- Example: kaku (書く) → kakou (書こう) - let's write
Summary of Verb Conjugations
| Form | Group 1 (Godan) | Group 2 (Ichidan) | Irregular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | kaku | taberu | suru |
| Past | kaita | tabeta | shita |
| Negative | kakanai | tabenai | shinai |
| Te-form | kaite | tabete | shite |
| Potential | kakeru | taberareru | dekiru |
| Volitional | kakou | tabeyou | shiyou |
Commonly Used Verbs:
Transitive Verbs (Directly take a direct object):
- 食べる (Taberu) / 食べます (Tabemasu): To eat
- 聞く (Kiku) / 聞きます (Kikimasu): To ask, to listen
- 見る (Miru) / 見ます (Mimasu): To see
- 買う (Kau) / 買います (Kaimasu): To buy
- 遊ぶ (Asobu) / 遊びます (Asobimasu): To play, to have fun
- 飼う (Kau) / 飼います (Kaimasu): To raise (an animal)
- 吸う (Suu) / 吸います (Suimasu): To smoke, to inhale
- 話す (Hanasu) / 話します (Hanashimasu): To speak, to talk
- 練習する (Renshū suru) / 練習します (Renshū shimasu): To practice
- 勉強する (Benkyou suru) / 勉強します (Benkyou shimasu): To study
- 信じる (Shinjiru) / 信じます (Shinjimasu): To believe
- 取る (Toru) / 取ります (Torimasu): To take (e.g., a picture, or something in hand)
- 覚える (Oboeru) / 覚えます (Oboemasu): To remember, to memorize
- 使う (Tsukau) / 使います (Tsukaimasu): To use
- 止める (Yameru) / 止めます (Yamemasu): To stop (something)
- 目指す (Mezasu) / 目指します (Mezashimasu): To aim for
- 着る (Kiru) / 着ます (Kimasu): To wear (clothes)
Intransitive Verbs (Do not take a direct object):
- 歩く (Aruku): To walk
- 死ぬ (Shinu): To die
- 起きる (Okiru): To wake up, to get up
- 眠る (Nemuru): To sleep
- 行く (Iku): To go
- 来る (Kuru): To come
- 帰る (Kaeru): To return (home)
- 走る (Hashiru): To run
- 座る (Suwaru): To sit
- 立つ (Tatsu): To stand
- 入る (Hairu): To enter
- 出る (Deru): To leave, to exit
- 会う (Au): To meet
- 寝る (Neru): To sleep (polite form)
- 笑う (Warau): To laugh
- 怒る (Okoru): To get angry
- 飛ぶ (Tobu): To fly