Japanese Verb Conjugation: Present, Past & Negative Forms
Verb conjugation is one of the most essential aspects of learning Japanese. Unlike English, Japanese verbs do not change based on the subject (e.g., "I eat" vs. "He eats"), but rather by tense (present, past) and formality (casual, polite).
In this guide, we will explore:
✅ Types of Japanese Verbs (Groups 1, 2, and Irregular)
✅ Present tense (polite & casual)
✅ Past tense (polite & casual)
✅ Negative forms
✅ Additional conjugations (て-form, potential, volitional, etc.)
Japanese Verb Conjugation
1. Types of Japanese Verbs
Japanese verbs are categorized into three main groups based on how they conjugate:
📌 Group 1 (Godan Verbs)
Ends in "-u" (書く kaku – to write, 話す hanasu – to speak)
The stem changes when conjugated.
📌 Group 2 (Ichidan Verbs)
Ends in "-iru" or "-eru" (食べる taberu – to eat, 見る miru – to see)
Drop "-ru" and add endings directly.
📌 Irregular Verbs
Only two irregular verbs in Japanese:
する (suru) – to do
来る (kuru) – to come
These have unique conjugations and must be memorized separately.
2. Present Tense (Polite & Casual)
The present tense in Japanese is used for habitual actions or future events.
✅ Group 1 (Godan) – Change "-u" to "-imasu" (polite)
✅ Group 2 (Ichidan) – Drop "-ru" and add "-masu"
✅ Irregular Verbs
3. Past Tense (Polite & Casual)
To form the past tense, change "-masu" to "-mashita" for polite form or use "ta-form" for casual speech.
✅ Group 1 (Godan)
✅ Group 2 (Ichidan)
✅ Irregular Verbs
4. Negative Forms (Polite & Casual)
To form the negative, change "-masu" to "-masen" (polite) or use "-nai" (casual).
✅ Group 1 (Godan)
✅ Group 2 (Ichidan)
✅ Irregular Verbs
5. Additional Verb Forms
📌 て-form (Used for requests, linking verbs, and forming continuous tense)
📌 Potential Form (Can do)
📌 Volitional Form (Let's do something)
FAQs About Japanese Verb Conjugation
What’s the fastest way to learn verb conjugations?
→ Use flashcards, write sentences, and practice daily conversations.Why are some verbs irregular?
→ する (suru) and 来る (kuru) evolved differently from regular verbs.How do I know if a verb is Group 1 or 2?
→ If it ends in "-iru" or "-eru," it's likely Group 2 (Ichidan). Otherwise, it's Group 1 (Godan).What’s the difference between masu-form and dictionary form?
→ Masu-form is polite (e.g., 食べます), while dictionary form is casual (e.g., 食べる).How do I conjugate Japanese verbs into the negative form?
→ For Group 1, change the -u ending to -anai (e.g., 書く → 書かない).
→ For Group 2, drop る and add ない (e.g., 食べる → 食べない).
→ Irregular: する → しない, 来る → 来ない.
Mastering Japanese verb conjugation takes practice and repetition. Start with common verbs and gradually expand your vocabulary. The more you use these forms, the more natural they’ll become!
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