Complete Guide to Japanese Verb Classification

Japanese verbs are the core of Japanese grammar, and verb classification is the first step in learning verb conjugations. Correctly identifying a verb's type means you can accurately apply conjugation rules. This guide starts with basic concepts, then gradually progresses to classification techniques, exception handling, and extensive example lists to help you systematically master the three major types of Japanese verbs.

1. Overview: The Three Types of Japanese Verbs

Japanese verbs are divided into three major categories based on their ending changes and conjugation patterns:

Key Concept: Japanese verb classification is based on conjugation rules, not meaning. Verbs with similar meanings may belong to different groups.

2. Godan Verbs (u-Verbs / Group 1)

2.1 What are Godan Verbs?

Godan verbs are verbs whose endings change across all five vowel rows (a, i, u, e, o) of the gojuon chart. The dictionary form (basic form) of these verbs always ends with an u-row kana (pronounced with "u"), and when conjugating, the ending shifts between different rows.

2.2 Ending Characteristics

Godan verb endings are always from the u-row:

Note: Verbs ending in "ru" are tricky - some are Godan and some are Ichidan. See the identification section below for details.

2.3 Common Godan Verb Examples

Ending in u:

• 買う (kau) - to buy
• 会う (au) - to meet
• 洗う (arau) - to wash
• 笑う (warau) - to laugh
• 思う (omou) - to think
• 歌う (utau) - to sing
• 使う (tsukau) - to use
• 作る (tsukuru) - to make

Ending in ku:

• 書く (kaku) - to write
• 聞く (kiku) - to listen
• 歩く (aruku) - to walk
• 行く (iku) - to go
• 働く (hataraku) - to work
• 急ぐ (isogu) - to hurry

Ending in gu:

• 泳ぐ (oyogu) - to swim
• 稼ぐ (kasegu) - to earn

Ending in su:

• 話す (hanasu) - to speak
• 返す (kaesu) - to return
• 貸す (kasu) - to lend
• 押す (osu) - to push
• 直す (naosu) - to fix
• 消す (kesu) - to erase

Ending in tsu:

• 待つ (matsu) - to wait
• 立つ (tatsu) - to stand
• 持つ (motsu) - to hold
• 打つ (utsu) - to hit
• 勝つ (katsu) - to win

Ending in nu:

• 死ぬ (shinu) - to die

"Shinu" is the only commonly used verb ending in "nu".

Ending in bu:

• 遊ぶ (asobu) - to play
• 呼ぶ (yobu) - to call
• 飛ぶ (tobu) - to fly
• 喜ぶ (yorokobu) - to be happy
• 学ぶ (manabu) - to learn

Ending in mu:

• 読む (yomu) - to read
• 飲む (nomu) - to drink
• 住む (sumu) - to live
• 頼む (tanomu) - to ask
• 休む (yasumu) - to rest

Godan verbs ending in ru (easily confused with Ichidan):

• 走る (hashiru) - to run
• 入る (hairu) - to enter
• 知る (shiru) - to know
• 帰る (kaeru) - to return
• 切る (kiru) - to cut
• 限る (kagiru) - to limit
• 要る (iru) - to need
• 蹴る (keru) - to kick
• 滑る (suberu) - to slip
• 散る (chiru) - to scatter
• 減る (heru) - to decrease
• 焦る (aseru) - to panic
• 照る (teru) - to shine
• 困る (komaru) - to be troubled
• 握る (nigiru) - to grip

3. Ichidan Verbs (ru-Verbs / Group 2)

3.1 What are Ichidan Verbs?

Ichidan verbs always end in "ru", and the kana before "ru" is from the i-row or e-row. To conjugate, simply remove "ru" and add the appropriate ending.

Ichidan verbs are divided into two sub-types:

• Upper Ichidan: i-row + ru (e.g., 起きる okiru, 見る miru)
• Lower Ichidan: e-row + ru (e.g., 食べる taberu, 寝る neru)

In practice, you do not need to distinguish between upper and lower Ichidan, as they follow exactly the same conjugation rules.

3.2 Ending Characteristics

Ichidan verb structure: [i-row or e-row kana] + ru

3.3 Common Ichidan Verb Examples

Upper Ichidan (i-row + ru):

• 起きる (okiru) - to wake up
• 見る (miru) - to see
• 借りる (kariru) - to borrow
• 降りる (oriru) - to get off
• 伸びる (nobiru) - to stretch
• 落ちる (ochiru) - to fall
• 生きる (ikiru) - to live
• 出来る (dekiru) - to be able to
• 感じる (kanjiru) - to feel
• 過ぎる (sugiru) - to pass
• 信じる (shinjiru) - to believe
• 続ける (tsuzukeru) - to continue
• 閉じる (tojiru) - to close
• 足りる (tariru) - to be enough
• 浴びる (abiru) - to bathe
• 似る (niru) - to resemble
• 煮る (niru) - to boil

Lower Ichidan (e-row + ru):

• 食べる (taberu) - to eat
• 寝る (neru) - to sleep
• 教える (oshieru) - to teach
• 覚える (oboeru) - to remember
• 出る (deru) - to exit
• 入れる (ireru) - to put in
• 受ける (ukeru) - to receive
• 晴れる (hareru) - to clear up
• 答える (kotaeru) - to answer
• 逃げる (nigeru) - to escape
• 汚れる (yogoreru) - to get dirty
• 換える (kaeru) - to exchange
• 始める (hajimeru) - to begin
• 集める (atsumeru) - to collect
• 上げる (ageru) - to raise
• 泊める (tomeru) - to host
• 止める (tomeru) - to stop
• 褒める (homeru) - to praise
• 冷える (hieru) - to get cold
• 震える (furueru) - to tremble
• 植える (ueru) - to plant
• 生える (haeru) - to grow
• 加える (kuwaeru) - to add
• 流れる (nagareru) - to flow
• 照れる (tereru) - to be shy
• 逃れる (nogareru) - to escape
• 立てる (tateru) - to stand up
• 消える (kieru) - to disappear
• 混ぜる (mazeru) - to mix
• 例える (tatoeru) - to compare

4. Irregular Verbs (Henkaku / Group 3)

4.1 Overview

Irregular verbs are special verbs that do not follow Godan or Ichidan rules. They are few in number but extremely high in frequency — the most essential verbs in Japanese.

4.2 Core Irregular Verbs: suru and kuru

Note: The reading of "kuru" changes when conjugated:

• Base form: kuru
• Masu/Te/Ta form: ki
• Nai/Volitional form: ko
• Ba form: ku

4.3 suru Compound Verbs

Japanese has many suru-compound verbs (sa-hen verbs), formed by [noun] + suru:

4.4 Other Irregular Verbs

5. How to Identify Verb Types: Core Techniques

5.1 Quick Identification Flowchart

Does the verb NOT end in "ru"?
|- Yes -> Godan verb
|- No -> Look at the kana before "ru"
    |- Is it i-row or e-row?
    |   |- Yes -> Ichidan verb (90% of cases)
    |   |- No (a, u, o row) -> Godan verb
    |- Is it suru or kuru?
        |- Yes -> Irregular verb
        |- No -> Special exception (e.g., hashiru, hairu)

5.2 Key Identification Rules

Rule 1: Does NOT end in "ru" -> Always Godan

All verbs that do not end in "ru" are Godan verbs.

Rule 2: Ends in "ru", but preceding kana is a, u, or o-row -> Godan

Exception Alert: Some verbs ending in "i-row + ru" or "e-row + ru" are actually Godan verbs. These must be memorized individually.

Rule 3: Ends in "ru", and preceding kana is i-row or e-row -> Usually Ichidan

Rule 4: Special Exceptions (i/e-row + ru but Godan)

The following verbs end in "i-row + ru" or "e-row + ru" but are Godan verbs:

5.3 Memory Mnemonic

"Need, Cut, Know; Run, Enter; Slip, Kick, Panic; Decrease, Shine, Limit; Scatter, Grip"

These 12 words cover most common exceptions of "i/e-row + ru" that are actually Godan. Memorize these, and virtually all other "i/e-row + ru" verbs will be Ichidan.

6. Common Pitfalls and Reminders

Pitfall 1: Judging by Meaning

Verb type has nothing to do with meaning. "Kiru" (to cut) and "kiru" (to wear) are completely different verbs with different types:

Pitfall 2: All "ru"-ending verbs are Ichidan

This is the most common mistake. About 20 commonly used verbs that end in "i-row + ru" or "e-row + ru" are actually Godan.

Pitfall 3: suru conjugates like other verbs

"Suru" has highly irregular conjugations. Never apply Godan or Ichidan rules to it.

Pitfall 4: Confusing "Godan/Ichidan/Irregular" with "Group 1/2/3"

Different textbooks use different naming systems, which can confuse learners. Here is the mapping between the two systems:

Why two naming systems?

• "Godan/Ichidan/Irregular" comes from traditional Japanese grammar, emphasizing which rows of the gojuon chart the verb ending changes across (e.g., Godan verb endings shift across all five vowel rows: a, i, u, e, o).
• "Group 1, 2, 3" is the simplified system used in modern Japanese education, numbered by complexity, making it easier for beginners to memorize.

Both systems describe the exact same classification. For example:

• "Kaku" (to write) is both a Godan verb and a Group 1 verb
• "Taberu" (to eat) is both an Ichidan verb and a Group 2 verb
• "Suru" is both an irregular verb and a Group 3 verb

Study tip: Pick one naming system and stick with it. However, when consulting different textbooks or resources, be able to recognize both naming systems so you don't wonder "are these two different classifications?"

7. Summary

Quick Reference Table

Study Recommendations

1. Master the rule first, then memorize exceptions: 80% of verbs can be identified by rules; the remaining 20% are learned through practice.
2. Work backwards from masu form: If you know a verb's masu form, type identification becomes easier:
   • Masu form ends in "imasu" -> Godan (kakimasu -> kaku)
   • Masu form ends in "masu" (preceded by i/e-row) -> Ichidan (tabemasu -> taberu)
3. Exposure is key: Reading and listening build intuition far more effectively than rote memorization.

Verb classification is the cornerstone of Japanese learning. Once you master this system, advanced grammar including verb conjugations, keigo (honorifics), and auxiliary verbs will follow naturally. After studying this guide, we recommend reinforcing your skills with our Verb Classification Practice tool.

Recommended Practice: After completing this guide, visit Verb Classification Practice for hands-on training to strengthen your identification skills.