THE 3 JAPANESE VERB GROUPS

THE 3 JAPANESE VERB GROUPS
Verbs Group in Japanese
Japanese verbs are classified into three groups: Group 1 (-いる and – えるverbs), Group 2 (-る verbs) and lastly Group 3 (irregular verbs. All these three groups are differentiated by the ending of the verb.

Group 1: ~ U Ending Verbs
The basic form of Group 1 verbs end with “~ u”. This group is also called Consonant-stem verbs or Godan-doushi (Godan verbs).

hanasu （話す） – to speak
kaku （書く） – to write
kiku （聞く） – to listen
matsu （待つ） – to wait
nomu （飲む） – to drink

Group 2: ~ Iru and ~ Eru Ending Verbs
The basic form of Group 2 verbs end with either “~iru” or “~ eru”. This group is also called Vowel-stem-verbs or Ichidan-doushi (Ichidan verbs).

~ Iru Ending Verbs
kiru （着る） – to wear
miru （見る） – to see
okiru （起きる） – to get up
oriru （降りる） – to get off
shinjiru （信じる） – to believe
~ Eru Ending Verbs
akeru （開ける） – to open
ageru （あげる） – to give
deru （出る） – to go out
neru （寝る） – to sleep
taberu （食べる） – to eat
There are some exceptions. The following verbs belong to Group 1, though they end with “~ iru” or “~ eru”.

hairu （入る） – to enter
hashiru （走る） – to run
iru （いる） – to need
kaeru （帰る） – to return
kagiru （限る） – to limit
kiru （切る） – to cut
shaberu （しゃべる） – to chatter
shiru （知る） – to know

Group 3: Irregular Verbs
There are only two irregular verbs, kuru (to come) and suru (to do).

The verb “suru” is probably the most often used verb in Japanese. It is used as “to do,” “to make,” or “to cost.” It is also combined with many nouns (of Chinese or Western origin) to make them into verbs. Here are some examples.

benkyousuru （勉強する） – to study
ryokousuru （旅行する） – to travel
yushutsusuru （輸出する） – to export
dansusuru （ダンスする） – to dance
shanpuusuru （シャンプーする） – to shampoo

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