N5Chapter 12

Verb Groups & Dictionary Form

Learning Objectives

  • Understand what the 'Dictionary Form' of a verb is.
  • Classify verbs into Group 1 (u-verbs), Group 2 (ru-verbs), or Group 3 (Irregular).
  • Identify exceptions to the classification rules.
  • Explore the concept of 'Ma' in Japanese language and rhythm.
N5 Context

In English, to know how to conjugate a verb, you only need to know it’s a verb (e.g., eat ➔ eating, ate, eaten). But in Japanese, knowing it’s a verb isn’t enough! Every single Japanese verb belongs to one of Three Groups. The group a verb belongs to determines exactly how it will conjugate for tense, politeness, and every other grammar rule you will ever learn.

The way we discover a verb’s group is by looking at its Dictionary Form. This is the plain, unconjugated, casual form of the verb—the form you would look up if you were searching for it in a dictionary. Let’s learn the groups!

1. Group 1: The u-verbs (Godan Verbs)

Group 1 is the largest verb group. To identify a Group 1 verb, look at its Dictionary Form ending. If it ends in any Hiragana character from the “u” row (other than る), it is 100% guaranteed to be a Group 1 verb!

Common Endings:

  • 〜く (ku): かく (to write)
  • 〜す (su): はなす (to speak)
  • 〜つ (tsu): まつ (to wait)
  • 〜む (mu): のむ (to drink)
  • 〜う (u): かう (to buy)

The Catch: Some Group 1 verbs do end in る (ru). If the sound right before the る is an “a”, “u”, or “o” sound, it is a Group 1 verb.

  • わかる (wakaru) [to understand]
  • つくる (tsukuru) [to make]
Grammar Point
[Verb] (Ends in 'u' sound)
MeaningDictionary Form of Group 1 verbs.
Formation:
The base form found in dictionaries.
Examples (3)
Example

みず を のむ。

Mizu o nomu.

I drink water. (Plain)

Example

てがみ を かく。

Tegami o kaku.

I write a letter. (Plain)

Example

くるま に のる。

Kuruma ni noru.

I ride in a car. (Plain)
Example

としょかん で ほん を よむ。

Toshokan de hon o yomu.

I read a book at the library.
Example

あした、 かいもの に いく。

Ashita, kaimono ni iku.

Tomorrow, I'll go shopping.
Example

おんがく を きく。

Ongaku o kiku.

I listen to music.

2. Group 2: The ru-verbs (Ichidan Verbs)

Group 2 verbs are the easiest verbs to conjugate. They always end in る (ru). To identify a Group 2 verb, look at the sound right before the る. If it is an “i” sound or an “e” sound, then most of the time, it is a Group 2 verb!

  • “i” sound + る: みる (mi-ru), おきる (oki-ru)
  • “e” sound + る: たべる (tabe-ru), ねる (ne-ru)
Grammar Point
[i/e sound] ＋ る
MeaningDictionary Form of Group 2 verbs.
Formation:
Roots ending in 'i' or 'e' sounds + る.
Examples (3)
Example

リンゴ を たべる。

Ringo o taberu.

I eat an apple. (Plain)

Example

テレビ を みる。

Terebi o miru.

I watch TV. (Plain)

Example

ベッド で ねる。

Beddo de neru.

I sleep in the bed. (Plain)
Example

あさ、 しちじ に おきる。

Asa, shichi-ji ni okiru.

I wake up at 7:00 in the morning.
Example

えいが を みる。

Eiga o miru.

I watch a movie.
Example

ごはん を たべる。

Gohan o taberu.

I eat a meal.

[!WARNING] The Exceptions Trap! Some verbs look like Group 2 (end in i-ru or e-ru) but are secretly Group 1!

  • かえる (kaeru) - To return home
  • はいる (hairu) - To enter
  • はしる (hashiru) - To run

3. Group 3: Irregular Verbs

There are only two irregular verbs in the entire Japanese language.

  1. する (suru) - To do
  2. くる (kuru) - To come
Grammar Point
する ／ くる
MeaningThe two irregular verbs in Japanese.
Formation:
Memorize these two separately.
Examples (3)
Example

べんきょう を する。

Benkyou o suru.

I study.

Example

テニス を する。

Tenisu o suru.

I play tennis.

Example

あした くる。

Ashita kuru.

I will come tomorrow.
Example

かいもの を する。

Kaimono o suru.

I do shopping.
Example

ここに くる。

Koko ni kuru.

I come here.
Example

さんぽ を する。

Sanpo o suru.

I take a walk.

4. Cultural Note: The Concept of ‘Ma’ (間)

In Japanese culture, Ma (間) refers to the “space,” “interval,” or “pause” between things. This concept is vital in everything from architecture and gardens to the Japanese language itself.

  • In Language: ‘Ma’ is the silence between words or the pause before a verb. It allows the listener to process information and adds weight to what is said.
  • In Rhythm: Japanese verbs often dictate the rhythm of a sentence. Understanding the group helps you maintain the correct ‘Ma’ during conjugation.
  • In Art: A minimalist Japanese painting uses empty space (Ma) to highlight the subject. Similarly, a well-timed pause in conversation is seen as a sign of intelligence and respect.

Conversation Practice

Weekend Plans (Plain Style)
Tanaka

あした、 なに を する？

Ashita, nani o suru?

What are you going to do tomorrow?

Smith

ほん を よむ。 たなかさん は？

Hon o yomu. Tanaka-san wa?

I'll read a book. How about you, Tanaka?

Tanaka

わたし は えいが を みる。 それから、 かいもの を する。

Watashi wa eiga o miru. Sorekara, kaimono o suru.

I will watch a movie. And then, I'll do some shopping.

Smith

いい ね。 いっしょ に たべる？

Ii ne. Issho ni taberu?

That's nice. Want to eat together?
Daily Routine
Ken

毎日、 なんじ に おきる？

Mainichi, nanji ni okiru?

What time do you wake up every day?

Yumi

ろくじ に おきる。 それから、 はしる。

Rokuji ni okiru. Sorekara, hashiru.

I wake up at 6:00. And then, I run.

Ken

すごい ね。 わたし は しちじ に おきる。

Sugoi ne. Watashi wa shichiji ni okiru.

That's impressive. I wake up at 7:00.

Yumi

よる は いつ ねる？

Yoru wa itsu neru?

When do you go to sleep at night?

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 1Japanese verbs are classified into three groups: Group 1 (u-verbs), Group 2 (ru-verbs), and Group 3 (Irregular).
  • 2The Dictionary Form is the plain, 'root' form of a verb.
  • 3Group 1 verbs end in any 'u' sound (ku, su, mu, etc.) or 'ru' preceded by a/u/o.
  • 4Group 2 verbs end in 'ru' preceded by i/e sounds.
  • 5Group 3 consists only of する (to do) and くる (to come).
  • 6The concept of 'Ma' emphasizes the importance of pauses and space in communication.

Knowledge Check

Test your ability to classify verbs!

Practice Quiz
🧩

Quiz

1 / 15

Which verb group does 'のむ' (to drink) belong to?