Learning Japanese verbs can feel like exploring another planet. You’re not just changing endings; you’re shifting forms, adjusting politeness levels, and modifying tense and nuance with just a suffix. However, once you get the hang of it, Japanese verb conjugation is actually much more logical than it first appears.
Here’s how you can master it without drowning in grammar tables.
1. Know Your Verb Types
You must identify the verb type first. Japanese verbs come in three categories:
- Godan verbs (五段動詞) – The majority of verbs. These verbs change the ending syllable according to form.
- Ichidan verbs (一段動詞) – Also called “ru-verbs.” These have a consistent stem and simpler conjugation.
- Irregular verbs – Just two verbs: する (to do) and 来る (to come). They’re unusual but frequently used.
Examples:
- Godan: 書く (kaku – to write)
- Ichidan: 食べる (taberu – to eat)
- Irregular: する, 来る
2. Master the Basics: Dictionary, Masu, and Te Forms
These forms are essential. Master them, and the rest will follow:
- Dictionary Form: Informal, conversational.
Example: 食べる (eat), 書く (write) - Masu Form: Polite, appropriate for conversations with people you don’t know well.
Example: 食べます, 書きます - Te Form: Versatile, used for connecting verbs, making requests, or creating the present continuous.
Example: 食べて, 書いて
Godan verbs are trickier as they change their final consonant. Ichidan verbs simply remove the る and add て or ます.
3. Understand the Tense System
Japanese verbs don’t indicate subject or number, only tense and politeness:
- Present/future (non-past): 食べる / 食べます
- Past: 食べた / 食べました
- Negative: 食べない / 食べません
- Past Negative: 食べなかった / 食べませんでした
These apply to all verbs, with variations based on verb type.
4. Discover the Shortcuts
If you’re starting out, follow this practical sequence:
- Learn the ～ます forms: They’re standard and appropriate for any situation.
- Practice the ～て form: Essential for commands, sequential actions, and continuous states.
- Get comfortable with the ～ない form: Expressing negatives is fundamental.
Once confident, progress to conditionals (食べれば), volitional (食べよう), and passive/causative forms (食べられる, 食べさせる).
5. Practice in Real Contexts, Not Just Drills
Textbook examples are useful, but contextual practice solidifies conjugation skills:
- Watch Japanese TV without subtitles
- Chat casually with native speakers
- Write a daily journal in Japanese
- Use apps like Bunpo, designed specifically to help learners master Japanese grammar through interactive lessons and practical examples
Final Advice: Internalize, Don’t Just Memorize
Yes, there are rules, but you don’t have to memorize every conjugation. Learn patterns, master one form, then apply it broadly. Regular, contextual practice will make conjugation second nature.
Mastering Japanese verb conjugation isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency. Keep practicing regularly, and it will become natural.
