Conjugation Groups
Japanese verbs are categolozed into three groups according to thier conjugation patterns.
No matter what the conjugation form is, certain syllables are remained, which called "stem."
Depending on the stem, we can categoloze the verbs.
The stem ends in a consonant.
The stem ends in a vowel.
The verb conjugates irregularily.
Verb groups | The stem ends in a consonant | The stem ends in a vowel | Irregular conjugation | |
---|---|---|---|---|
To drink | To eat | To do | ||
a | Nai-form | Nom-anai | Tabe-nai | Shinai |
i | Masu-form | Nom-imasu | Tabe-masu | Shimasu |
u | Dictionary form | Nom-u | Tabe-ru | Suru |
e | Potential form | Nom-eru | Tabe-rareru | Dekiru |
o | Vollitional form | Nom-oo | Tabe-yoo | Shiyoo |
Terminology
Japanese textbooks and dictionaries use several names for the three verb groups.
- The stem ends in a consonant:
U-verbs/ Consonant-verbs/ Consonant-stem-verbs/ Group1 verbs/ Regullar1 verbs
Godankatsuyoo-verbs/ Godan-verbs/ Strong-verbs
- The stem ends in a vowel:
Ru-verbs/ Vowel-verbs/ Vowel-stem-verbs/ Group2 verbs/ Regullar2 verbs
Ichidankatsuyoo-verbs/ Ichidan-verbs/ Weak-verbs
- Irregular conjugation:
Irregular Verbs
SA-row irregular verb (for Suru)
KA-row irregular verb (for Kuru)
In this website, the following names are used for three verb groups, which are based
on the Dictionary forms.
The stem ends in a consonant | The stem ends in a vowel | Irregualr conjugations | |
Names | U-verbs | RU-verbs | Irregular verbs |
Dictionary form | (ex) Nom-u | (ex) Tabe-ru | Suru and Kuru |
--> How can we categoloze a verb?
From Dictionary-form
From Masu-form
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