Introduction

Konnichiwa, Minna! (Hello, everyone!)

Welcome to your first big step into the world of Japanese grammar. If you’ve just started learning Japanese, you might feel a little overwhelmed. But don’t worry! This guide is designed to make learning your first 100 essential verbs as easy and fun as possible.

Verbs are the building blocks of any language, and Japanese is no different. Once you master these basic verbs, you’ll be able to form countless sentences and start expressing yourself in no time.

This guide will focus on the most common and useful verbs for beginners. We’ll present them in a way that helps you start using them right away, complete with their pronunciations and English meanings. Let’s dive in!

Japanese Verbs vs. English Verbs

One of the first things you’ll notice about Japanese verbs is how different they are from English verbs. In English, we place the verb after the subject, like in the sentence “I eat.” In Japanese, the verb almost always comes at the very end of the sentence.

For example, to say “I eat rice,” you would say:

わたし は ごはん を たべます。 (watashi wa gohan o tabemasu.)

Here, たべます (tabemasu) is the verb, and it sits at the end. This structure is one of the most important things to get used to when you begin your journey!

Japanese Has No Singular or Plural Verbs

Good news! Unlike English, where you have to worry about singular verbs (e.g., “he eats”) and plural verbs (e.g., “we eat”), Japanese verbs do not change based on who is doing the action. The verb form stays the same no matter if the subject is “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” or “they.”

For example:

• わたし は たべます (watashi wa tabemasu) – I eat.
• かれ は たべます (kare wa tabemasu) – He eats.
• かれら は たべます (karera wa tabemasu) – They eat.

This makes things a lot simpler for beginners. You just need to learn the core verb forms!

Japanese Verb Conjugations

Japanese verbs are split into three groups: Ru-verbs, U-verbs, and irregular verbs. Which of these categories an action word belongs to affects its conjugation.

Most Japanese verbs follow a clear logic. Ru-verbs and U-verbs conjugate predictably — e.g., みる (miru) → みない (minai), のむ (nomu) → のまない (nomanai). Irregular verbs don’t, so くる (kuru) becomes こない (konai). 

The table shows only basic conjugations; for “-ing” forms like eating or drinking, you’ll need the て-form, which changes based on verb type.

Types of Japanese Verbs

Japanese verbs are categorized into three main groups. Knowing these types will help you understand how to conjugate them later on.

➡️ Group 1: U-verbs (or Godan Verbs): These verbs end in a “-u” sound. When you conjugate them, the sound changes. Most verbs fall into this category.

Examples: 行く (iku – to go), 読む (yomu – to read), 買う (kau – to buy).

➡️ Group 2: Ru-verbs (or Ichidan Verbs): These verbs always end in “-iru” or “-eru.” Conjugating them is much simpler, as you just drop the “-ru” and add a new ending.

Examples: 食べる (taberu – to eat), 見る (miru – to see), 寝る (neru – to sleep).

➡️ Group 3: Irregular Verbs: Thankfully, there are only two of these! You just have to memorize.

Examples: する (suru – to do), 来る (kuru – to come).

Common Japanese Verbs for Mental Situations and Emotions

These verbs are essential for expressing thoughts, feelings, and understanding.

Japanese Verbs Commonly Used For Daily Activities at Home

Japanese Verbs For Physical Actions

Japanese Verbs for Verbal Expressions

Irregular Japanese Verbs

What’s Next After Learning Japanese Verbs?

Congratulations on completing your first big step! Once you’re comfortable with these verbs, here’s where to go next:

• Learn More Conjugations: Explore past tense (-mashita), negative (-masen), and the casual dictionary form.
• Master Particles: Use essential particles like を (o) and に (ni) to build natural, more complex sentences.
• Practice Daily: The best way to master verbs is to use them. Try creating one simple sentence for each verb you learn.

Remember — consistency matters more than perfection. Every sentence you form and every mistake you make brings you closer to fluency. Stay motivated, enjoy the process, and most importantly — keep practicing!

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Ganbatte! (Good luck!)