Japanese Verb Groups Explained (う-verbs, る-verbs, Irregulars)

Japanese conjugation looks scary until you learn the three verb groups. Almost every rule depends on knowing a verb''s group.

Group 1: う-verbs (godan)

These end in a “u” sound: 飲む (nomu), 書く (kaku), 話す (hanasu). They are the largest group and their endings shift across the whole “u-row” when conjugated.

Group 2: る-verbs (ichidan)

These end in いる or える: 食べる (taberu), 見る (miru). To conjugate, you usually just drop る and add the ending — the easy group.

Group 3: Irregulars

Only two matter: する (to do) and 来る (to come). Learn their forms individually.

The tricky part

Some verbs look like る-verbs but are actually う-verbs — such as 帰る (kaeru, to return) and 入る (hairu, to enter). These must be memorised as exceptions.

Why it matters

Once you can instantly identify a verb''s group, forming the te-form, past tense, negative and polite forms becomes a simple, reliable process.