JLPT N5 reference · Basic verbs
Verb groups
Japanese verbs belong to three practical conjugation groups: godan, ichidan, and irregular. The group determines how the final sound changes.
Core meaning and form
Many ichidan verbs end in -iru or -eru, but common godan exceptions also do. する and 来る are irregular and must be learned separately.
- Godan: 書く, 話す, 読む.
- Ichidan: 食べる, 見る.
- Irregular: する, 来る.
Examples in context
毎日日記を書きます。Mainichi nikki o kakimasu.I write a diary every day.
七時に起きます。Shichi-ji ni okimasu.I get up at seven.
友達が来ます。Tomodachi ga kimasu.A friend is coming.
Common errors
- Do not classify every -iru or -eru verb as ichidan.
- Learn frequent exceptions such as 入る, 走る, 帰る, and 切る.
Quick summary
- Verb group predicts conjugation.
- Ichidan verbs drop る before many endings.
- Godan verbs change the final kana row.