25 Most Common Japanese Verbs Every Beginner Must Know | My Language Classes

25 Most Common Japanese Verbs

Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming because of its writing systems, cultural nuances, and unique grammar. However, one of the smartest ways to start is by focusing on the 25 most common Japanese verbs every beginner must know. These verbs appear daily in conversations, textbooks, songs, and anime. By mastering them, you immediately unlock the ability to communicate ideas, express emotions, and understand native speakers more easily.

The 25 most common Japanese verbs every beginner must know are not only essential but also versatile. With them, you can form countless sentences for introductions, requests, routines, and questions. Instead of trying to memorize thousands of words, learning these verbs helps you create a strong foundation for fluency.

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Why Japanese Verbs Are Essential for Beginners

Verbs are the backbone of Japanese sentences. Unlike English, the verb often comes at the end of the sentence. Mastering verbs allows you to structure sentences correctly, whether you are speaking politely (masu-form) or casually (plain form).

For example:

• Tabemasu (I eat) → Gohan o tabemasu. (I eat rice.)
• Ikimasu (I go) → Gakkō ni ikimasu. (I go to school.)

With just a handful of verbs, you can start expressing real actions. That is why focusing on the 25 most common verbs is such an effective strategy for beginners.

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25 Most Common Japanese Verbs Every Beginner Must Know

Below is the list of verbs with their meanings, written in dictionary form (plain) and shown with simple examples. Each is practical and used daily in Japan.

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1. する (suru – to do)

• Benkyō suru. (To study.)
• Supōtsu o suru. (To play sports.)

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2. ある (aru – to exist, inanimate)

• Hon ga aru. (There is a book.)
• Jikan ga aru. (I have time.)

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3. いる (iru – to exist, animate)

• Inu ga iru. (There is a dog.)
• Tomodachi ga iru. (I have a friend.)

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4. 行く (iku – to go)

• Gakkō ni iku. (I go to school.)
• Umi ni iku. (I go to the sea.)

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5. 来る (kuru – to come)

• Ashita kuru. (I will come tomorrow.)
• Kanojo ga kuru. (She is coming.)

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6. 食べる (taberu – to eat)

• Pan o taberu. (I eat bread.)
• Sakana o taberu. (I eat fish.)

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7. 飲む (nomu – to drink)

• Mizu o nomu. (I drink water.)
• Kōhī o nomu. (I drink coffee.)

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8. 見る (miru – to see, to watch)

• Eiga o miru. (I watch a movie.)
• Sora o miru. (I look at the sky.)

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9. 聞く (kiku – to listen, to ask)

• Ongaku o kiku. (I listen to music.)
• Sensei ni kiku. (I ask the teacher.)

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10. 話す (hanasu – to speak)

• Eigo o hanasu. (I speak English.)
• Kare to hanasu. (I talk with him.)

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11. 言う (iu – to say)

• Arigatō to iu. (I say thank you.)
• Kanojo wa nani o itta? (What did she say?)

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12. 思う (omou – to think)

• Ii to omou. (I think it is good.)
• Kare wa kuru to omou. (I think he will come.)

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13. 分かる (wakaru – to understand)

• Nihongo ga wakaru. (I understand Japanese.)
• Mondai ga wakaru. (I understand the problem.)

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14. 知る (shiru – to know)

• Ano hito o shitte iru. (I know that person.)
• Namae o shitte iru. (I know the name.)

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15. 書く (kaku – to write)

• Nikki o kaku. (I write a diary.)
• Tegami o kaku. (I write a letter.)

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16. 読む (yomu – to read)

• Hon o yomu. (I read a book.)
• Shinbun o yomu. (I read the newspaper.)

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17. 買う (kau – to buy)

• Kutsu o kau. (I buy shoes.)
• Pan o kau. (I buy bread.)

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18. 使う (tsukau – to use)

• Keitai o tsukau. (I use a mobile phone.)
• Jisho o tsukau. (I use a dictionary.)

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19. 作る (tsukuru – to make, to create)

• Ryōri o tsukuru. (I make food.)
• Kōen o tsukuru. (They make a park.)

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20. 働く (hataraku – to work)

• Kaisha de hataraku. (I work at a company.)
• Chichi wa byōin de hataraku. (My father works at a hospital.)

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21. 休む (yasumu – to rest, to be absent)

• Gakkō o yasumu. (I am absent from school.)
• Sukoshi yasumu. (I rest a little.)

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22. 立つ (tatsu – to stand)

• Isu kara tatsu. (I stand up from the chair.)
• Minna ga tatta. (Everyone stood up.)

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23. 座る (suwaru – to sit)

• Isu ni suwaru. (I sit on a chair.)
• Kodomo ga suwatte iru. (The child is sitting.)

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24. 歩く (aruku – to walk)

• Michi o aruku. (I walk on the street.)
• Kōen o aruku. (I walk in the park.)

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25. 走る (hashiru – to run)

• Kare wa hayaku hashiru. (He runs fast.)
• Asa ni hashiru. (I run in the morning.)

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How to Practice Japanese Verbs Every Day

Speak and Repeat Aloud

Repetition is powerful. Say each verb aloud in sentences to improve memory and pronunciation.

Create Simple Sentences

Write sentences about your routine. For example, Asa gohan o taberu (I eat breakfast) or Tomodachi ni au (I meet a friend).

Listen to Real Japanese

Watch dramas, anime, or listen to podcasts. Pay attention to these verbs. You will quickly notice how often they appear.

Mix Polite and Casual Forms

Practice both polite (tabemasu) and plain (taberu) forms. Both are necessary because daily life in Japan requires switching between casual and polite speech.

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Why These 25 Verbs Boost Confidence

The 25 most common Japanese verbs every beginner must know allow you to describe actions, routines, and thoughts in everyday life. When you use them, conversations flow more naturally. You will no longer rely only on nouns or gestures.

These verbs are also stepping stones to grammar structures. For example, taberu connects with tenses: tabemashita (ate), tabete iru (eating), and taberu darō (will eat). With each variation, your ability to express time and intention grows.

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Final Thoughts

The 25 most common Japanese verbs every beginner must know are more than just a list. They are the foundation for building your confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Japanese. Mastering them means you can talk about your daily life, ask questions, and interact naturally.

Language learning takes time, but starting with these verbs is a shortcut to fluency. Use them daily, practice both polite and plain forms, and you will see progress faster than you expect. With consistent practice, Japanese will become not just something you study but a part of your everyday life.

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👉BEGINNER JAPANESE LESSONS

Japanese Verb Groups Explained: Godan, Ichidan and Irregular Verbs for Beginners

Japanese Verb Conjugation for Beginners: Dictionary, ます, and Negative Forms Explained

Past Tense in Japanese

Polite Forms in Japanese ます and ません

Mastering the Te-Form in Japanese

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