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

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Understanding Japanese Verb Groups: A Beginner’s Guide

Learning how to categorize Japanese verbs is one of the first steps to mastering the language. Verbs are divided into three groups based on their conjugation patterns, making their usage systematic. Let’s explore these three groups—Godan verbs (Group 1), Ichidan verbs (Group 2), and Irregular verbs, with examples and exceptions.

Group 1: Godan Verbs (五段動詞, Godan-doushi)

Definition:
Godan verbs are named for their stem’s ability to “move” through five vowel sounds (あ, い, う, え, お) during conjugation. They always end with a consonant + “u” in their dictionary form.

Examples:

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

Conjugation Pattern:

Dictionary Form: 飲む (nomu) – to drink
Masu Form: 飲みます (nomimasu) – polite
Negative Form (Casual): 飲まない (nomanai)
Negative Form (Polite): 飲みません (nomimasen)

Exceptions in Group 1:
Some verbs appear to belong to Ichidan because they end with “iru” or “eru,” but they are actually Godan verbs. These include:

帰る (kaeru) – to return
入る (hairu) – to enter
走る (hashiru) – to run

Be cautious with such verbs to avoid misclassification.

Group 2: Ichidan Verbs (一段動詞, Ichidan-doushi)

Definition:
Ichidan verbs are simpler to conjugate than Godan verbs because their stems remain unchanged during conjugation. They typically end with “iru” or “eru.”

Examples:

食べる (taberu) – to eat
見る (miru) – to see
起きる (okiru) – to wake up
教える (oshieru) – to teach

Conjugation Pattern:

Dictionary Form: 食べる (taberu) – to eat
Masu Form: 食べます (tabemasu) – polite
Negative Form (Casual): 食べない (tabenai)
Negative Form (Polite): 食べません (tabemasen)

Exceptions in Group 2:
Most verbs ending in “iru” or “eru” are Ichidan, but some belong to Group 1 (Godan verbs). Examples include 帰る, 入る, and 走る. Be careful not to assume all “iru/eru” verbs are Ichidan.

Group 3: Irregular Verbs (不規則動詞, Fukisoku-doushi)

Definition:
There are only two irregular verbs in Japanese, and they do not follow the rules of Godan or Ichidan verbs. They are essential for daily communication, so mastering them early is a must.

1. **する (suru) – to do**

Dictionary Form: する (suru)
Masu Form: します (shimasu)
Negative Form (Casual): しない (shinai)
Negative Form (Polite): しません (shimasen)

Usage Example:

宿題をする。(Shukudai o suru.) – I will do homework.
スポーツをします。(Supootsu o shimasu.) – I will play sports.

2. **来る (kuru) – to come**

Dictionary Form: 来る (kuru)
Masu Form: 来ます (kimasu)
Negative Form (Casual): 来ない (konai)
Negative Form (Polite): 来ません (kimasen)

Usage Example:

友達が来る。(Tomodachi ga kuru.) – My friend will come.
明日来ます。(Ashita kimasu.) – I will come tomorrow.

Summary Table

Group	Ending	Examples	Key Exceptions
Group 1 (Godan)	Consonant + “u”	話す, 飲む, 書く, 待つ	帰る, 入る, 走る
Group 2 (Ichidan)	“iru” or “eru”	食べる, 見る, 起きる	N/A (except those in Godan)
Group 3 (Irregular)	N/A	する, 来る	None

Tips for Remembering Verb Groups

Practice Conjugation: Repeat conjugation patterns until they become second nature.
Watch for Exceptions: Memorize verbs like 帰る and 入る, which may trick beginners.
Learn Common Irregular Verbs: Start with する and 来る since they are widely used.

Understanding and categorizing Japanese verbs correctly is the first step to fluency. With consistent practice, you’ll soon find it easier to conjugate and use these verbs in conversation.

がんばってね! (Ganbatte ne!) – Good luck!

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Happy learning! 😊

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