Verb Groups for Conjugation: Group 1, Group 2, and Irregular Verbs

Why verb groups matter

Japanese verbs are commonly taught in three conjugation categories. The group tells you how the verb stem changes when you make forms like て-form and ない-form. In this course we use: Group 1 (う-verbs), Group 2 (る-verbs), and Irregular (する, くる).

The three groups (quick definitions)

Group 1 (う-verbs)

Most verbs belong here. In dictionary form they end in a kana from the “u-row”: う, く, ぐ, す, つ, ぬ, ぶ, む, る. The key point: the final sound changes across rows during conjugation.

Group 2 (る-verbs)

These verbs end in る in dictionary form, and the sound right before る is often い or え. The key point: you typically remove る to get the stem, then attach endings.

Irregular verbs

Only a few high-frequency verbs behave irregularly. At beginner level, treat these as special cases: する (to do) and くる (to come). (Many nouns + する form “do-verbs,” but the conjugation follows する.)

Chart: dictionary-form endings and likely group

Identification method (step-by-step)

Step 1: Check for irregular

• If the verb is する or くる, label it Irregular.

Step 2: If it does not end in る, it is Group 1

• Endings like う/く/ぐ/す/つ/ぬ/ぶ/む are Group 1.

Step 3: If it ends in る, check the sound before る

• If it ends in …いる or …える, it is often Group 2.
• If it ends in …ある/…うる/…おる etc., it is almost always Group 1.

Step 4: Memorize key exceptions (important Group 1 verbs that look like Group 2)

These end in …いる or …える but are Group 1. Learn them early because they appear often:

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• はいる (to enter)
• かえる (to return/go home)
• しる (to know)
• きる (to cut)
• はしる (to run)

Practical tip: when you meet a new …いる/…える verb, assume Group 2 unless you recognize it as a common exception or you confirm it in a dictionary.

Decision flow (quick checklist)

1) Is it する or くる?  → Irregular
2) Does it end in る?
   - No → Group 1
   - Yes → check the vowel before る:
       a) …いる / …える → usually Group 2
          BUT if it is はいる / かえる / しる / きる / はしる → Group 1
       b) otherwise → usually Group 1

Compact “core verbs” list (used throughout the course)

These verbs will reappear in examples and drills so you get repetition across forms. Labeling them correctly now will make later chapters easier.

Classification practice: label each verb by group

Instructions: For each verb, write G1, G2, or IRR. Use the checklist: (1) irregular? (2) ends in る? (3) if …いる/…える, watch for exceptions.

Set A

• たべる
• いく
• みる
• よむ
• する
• くる
• はなす
• ねる

Set B (includes look-alikes and exceptions)

• おきる
• でる
• とる
• はいる
• かえる
• しる
• きる
• はしる

Answers