Skip to content
Unlock Japanese Verb Conjugations: Your Complete Guide visualisation

Unlock Japanese Verb Conjugations: Your Complete Guide

Confidently master Japanese verbs with our complete guide!
Learn with Comprenders App About Comprenders

To master Japanese verb conjugations, it is essential to understand that Japanese verbs are divided into three main groups, each following distinct conjugation patterns:

  1. U-verbs (Godan verbs): These verbs conjugate by changing the final “u” sound to other vowel sounds depending on the form. They have several endings like う, く, ぐ, す, つ, ぶ, む, and る, each with specific conjugation rules.

  2. Ru-verbs (Ichidan verbs): These verbs conjugate more simply by dropping the る ending and attaching the appropriate suffix. Their conjugation is regular.

  3. Irregular verbs: The two major irregular verbs are する (to do) and くる (to come), which conjugate uniquely but are common and important.

Key Conjugation Forms

  • Masu form (polite present/future): For U-verbs, replace the final “u” sound with the corresponding “i” sound and add ます. For Ru-verbs, just add ます to the stem.
  • Negative form: Replace ます with ません for present/future negative.
  • Past form: ました for affirmative past, ませんでした for negative past.
  • Te-form (て-form): Used for connecting verbs, making requests, and other grammar constructions. Rules vary by verb ending.
  • Plain form (dictionary form): The base verb form used in casual speech.
  • Volitional form: Expresses intent or “let’s” do something.
  • Conditional form: Expresses “if” conditions.
  • Imperative form: Command form.

Examples

  • 書く (kaku) - to write (U-verb)
    • Polite: 書きます (kakimasu)
    • Negative: 書きません (kakimasen)
    • Past: 書きました (kakimashita)
    • Te-form: 書いて (kaite)
  • 食べる (taberu) - to eat (Ru-verb)
    • Polite: 食べます (tabemasu)
    • Negative: 食べません (tabemasen)
    • Past: 食べました (tabemashita)
    • Te-form: 食べて (tabete)
  • する (suru) - to do (Irregular)
    • Polite: します (shimasu)
    • Negative: しません (shimasen)
    • Past: しました (shimashita)
    • Te-form: して (shite)

Tips for Mastery

  • Memorize which group each verb belongs to.
  • Practice conjugating verbs through example sentences.
  • Learn the common auxiliary forms built on these conjugations (e.g., potential, passive, causative).
  • Use visual conjugation charts and tables to see patterns clearly.

This foundational understanding and consistent practice with these categories and forms provide a complete framework to master Japanese verb conjugation efficiently.

References

Open the App About Comprenders