Japanese verb conjugation has a reputation for being complicated, but the underlying logic is remarkably consistent. Once you understand the three verb groups and their conjugation rules, most forms follow predictable patterns. This guide covers every major conjugation form you need for N5 through N3.
The Three Verb Groups
Japanese verbs are divided into three groups (often called Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, or Godan, Ichidan, and Irregular).
Group 1 (Godan / U-verbs)
Group 1 verbs end in a u-row sound in their dictionary form: γ (kaku), γ (oyogu), γ (hanasu), γ€ (matsu), γ¬ (shinu), γΆ (tobu), γ (yomu), γ (kaeru: but see below). The distinguishing feature is that their stem changes across conjugations by shifting the final vowel row.
- ζΈγ (kaku: to write): ζΈγγͺγ, ζΈγγΎγ, ζΈγγ¦, ζΈγγ
- ι£²γ (nomu: to drink): ι£²γΎγͺγ, ι£²γΏγΎγ, ι£²γγ§, ι£²γγ
- θ©±γ (hanasu: to speak): θ©±γγͺγ, θ©±γγΎγ, θ©±γγ¦, θ©±γγ
- εΎ γ€ (matsu: to wait): εΎ γγͺγ, εΎ γ‘γΎγ, εΎ γ£γ¦, εΎ γ£γ
Group 2 (Ichidan / Ru-verbs)
Group 2 verbs always end in γ in dictionary form, and the vowel before the γ is always an i or e sound: ι£γΉγ (taberu: e before ru), θ¦γ (miru: i before ru), θ΅·γγ (okiru: i before ru). Conjugation is simpler: remove the γ and add the ending directly.
- ι£γΉγ (taberu: to eat): ι£γΉγͺγ, ι£γΉγΎγ, ι£γΉγ¦, ι£γΉγ
- θ¦γ (miru: to see): θ¦γͺγ, θ¦γΎγ, θ¦γ¦, θ¦γ
- θ΅·γγ (okiru: to wake up): θ΅·γγͺγ, θ΅·γγΎγ, θ΅·γγ¦, θ΅·γγ
Group 3 (Irregular)
There are only two truly irregular verbs in Japanese: γγ (suru. to do) and ζ₯γ (kuru: to come). These must be memorized individually, but they are used so frequently you will know them by heart quickly.
- γγ: γγͺγ, γγΎγ, γγ¦, γγ
- ζ₯γ (kuru): ζ₯γͺγ (konai), ζ₯γΎγ (kimasu), ζ₯γ¦ (kite), ζ₯γ (kita)
The Trick for γ Verbs
Not all verbs ending in γ are Group 2. Some are Group 1 (Godan): for example, εΈ°γ (kaeru: to return home), θ΅°γ (hashiru: to run), εγ (kiru: to cut). The reliable test: if the vowel before γ is anything other than i or e, the verb is definitely Group 1. If it is i or e, it is almost always Group 2, but you need to check (or memorize) the exceptions.
Core Conjugation Forms
Here are the most important forms, using ι£γΉγ (Group 2) and ι£²γ (Group 1) as examples.
Plain Present / Dictionary Form
This is the base form used in casual speech, before nouns, and in many grammar constructions.
- ι£γΉγ (taberu): to eat / I eat
- ι£²γ (nomu): to drink / I drink
Polite Present (γΎγ form)
Used in formal speech and writing. Group 2: remove γ, add γΎγ. Group 1: change final sound to the i-row, add γΎγ.
- ι£γΉ + γΎγ = ι£γΉγΎγ (tabemasu)
- ι£²γΏ + γΎγ = ι£²γΏγΎγ (nomimasu)
Plain Negative (γͺγ form)
Group 2: remove γ, add γͺγ. Group 1: change to a-row, add γͺγ (exception: verbs ending in γ change to γ before γͺγ).
- ι£γΉ + γͺγ = ι£γΉγͺγ (tabenai)
- ι£²γΎ + γͺγ = ι£²γΎγͺγ (nomanai)
- θ²·γ (kau) β θ²·γγͺγ (kawanai: exception)
Past Plain (γ form)
Group 2: remove γ, add γ. Group 1: follows the same phonetic shifts as the te-form (see below), replacing γ¦ with γ.
- ι£γΉ + γ = ι£γΉγ (tabeta)
- ι£²γ + γ = ι£²γγ (nonda)
Te-form (γ¦ form)
The te-form is one of the most important forms: used to connect actions, make requests (γγ¦γγ γγ), and build many compound constructions. Group 2: remove γ, add γ¦. Group 1: the ending changes based on the final consonant.
- γ β γγ¦: ζΈγ β ζΈγγ¦
- γ β γγ§: ζ³³γ β ζ³³γγ§
- γ β γγ¦: θ©±γ β θ©±γγ¦
- γ€ / γ / γ β γ£γ¦: εΎ γ€ β εΎ γ£γ¦, εΈ°γ β εΈ°γ£γ¦, θ²·γ β θ²·γ£γ¦
- γ¬ / γΆ / γ β γγ§: ι£²γ β ι£²γγ§, ιγΆ β ιγγ§
- Exception: θ‘γ β θ‘γ£γ¦ (not θ‘γγ¦)
Potential Form (can do)
Expresses ability or possibility. Group 2: remove γ, add γγγ (or in casual speech, γγ). Group 1: change to e-row, add γ.
- ι£γΉγ β ι£γΉγγγ (taberareru): can eat
- ι£²γ β ι£²γγ (nomeru): can drink
Passive Form (is done to)
Expresses that the subject receives the action. Group 2: remove γ, add γγγ. Group 1: change to a-row, add γγ.
- ι£γΉγ β ι£γΉγγγ (taberareru): is eaten / is made to eat
- ι£²γ β ι£²γΎγγ (nomareru): is drunk / is made to drink
Causative Form (make / let someone do)
Expresses that the subject causes or allows someone else to perform the action. Group 2: remove γ, add γγγ. Group 1: change to a-row, add γγ.
- ι£γΉγ β ι£γΉγγγ (tabesaseru): make/let eat
- ι£²γ β ι£²γΎγγ (nomaseru): make/let drink
How to Actually Learn Conjugations
Reading about conjugation rules is helpful, but mastery only comes from active production. The most effective approach is to practice each form by typing it from memory: given a verb and a target form, produce the conjugated output without looking. This is more difficult than recognition exercises, but it is the only way to build the automatic recall needed for fluent conversation. Aim to know the te-form, plain past, plain negative, and polite forms for all the N5βN3 vocabulary verbs before moving to potential, passive, and causative forms.