The three verb groups: る-verbs, う-verbs and two irregulars
Know a verb's group and you know how every form is built.要点The idea
Every verb's dictionary form ends in an u-sound, and how it changes depends on which of three groups it belongs to.| Group | How to spot it | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| る-verbs (ichidan) | end in -iru or -eru (most of them) | 食たべる, 見みる, 起おきる, 寝ねるtaberu, miru, okiru, neru |
| う-verbs (godan) | everything else, plus some -iru/-eru verbs (below) | 飲のむ, 書かく, 話はなす, 待まつ, 買かうnomu, kaku, hanasu, matsu, kau |
| irregular | just two | する (do), 来くる (come) |
The trap: う-verbs that look like る-verbs
帰かえるkaeruto go home (う-verb)
入はいるhairuto enter (う-verb)
走はしるhashiruto run (う-verb)
知しるshiruto get to know (う-verb)
切きるkiruto cut (う-verb)
A帰かえりますkaerimasu(I) go home帰かえる is a う-verb.
B変かえますkaemasu(I) change (it)変かえる is a る-verb.