U-verbs and Ru-verbs in Japanese

る-verbs and う-verbs in Japanese
Let’s learn what’s differentiate between Ru-verbs and U-verbs in Japanese

Mastering verb types is to conquering Japanese conjugation! Here’s a super useful visual guide to help you tell apart る-verbs (Ichidan) and う-verbs (Godan).

Why it matters:
Knowing whether a verb is る or う affects:
– Conjugation (ます-form, て-form, plain negative, etc.)
– Command form
– Potential form
– Past tense endings

Ichidan / る-verbs:
– End with る, and usually have a vowel sound before the る (like みる, たべる)
– Easier to conjugate!
✅ たべる → たべます
✅ おきる → おきます

Godan / う-verbs:
– Can end in る, く, う, etc.
– More varied endings and conjugation patterns
✅ はなす → はなします
✅ のむ → のみます
✅ およぐ → およぎます

Be careful! Some verbs end in る but are actually う-verbs! (Like: かえる, はいる, しる)