Verb Groups:
う動詞 U-verbs
る動詞 RU-verbs
不規則動詞 Irregular Verbs
New vocablary
みる（見る）【miru】see / watch
おしえる（教える）【oshieru】teach
かく（書く）【kaku】write
あう（会う）【au】meet
はたらく（働く）【hataraku】work
とる（取る）【toru】take
つくる（作る）【tsukuru】make
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn that Japanese verbs are divided into three groups.
・う動詞 U-verbs
・る動詞 RU-verbs
・不規則動詞 Irregular Verbs
Native Japanese speakers use these naturally, but as a lesson, this topic is considered junior-high-school level in Japan.
So it may look complex at first.
But don’t worry.
For now, you only need to understand this:
There are three types of verbs,
and each type has its own pattern of change.
That’s enough for this lesson.
As you continue the lessons, you will start to notice:
•“Oh, this is a RU-verb.”
•“This one is a U-verb.”
That awareness is enough for JLPT N5.
If the explanations feel confusing, it’s completely okay to skim this lesson and move on.
You will naturally understand it better as you see more examples later.
Now, let’s begin.
RU-verbs（る動詞）
RU-verbs end with 「る」, and
in most cases their romaji ends with iru or eru.
Examples
みる（見る）
miru
たべる（食べる）
taberu
おしえる（教える）
oshieru
Polite form (〜ます)
みる→ みます
たべる → たべます
おしえる → おしえます
For RU-verbs, the rule is simple:
Remove 「る」 and add 「ます」.
U-verbs（う動詞）
Some verbs also end with 「る」,
but they are NOT RU-verbs.
If the romaji does NOT end with iru or eru,
the verb is a U-verb.
Examples
あう（会う）au
はたらく（働く）hataraku
とる（取る）toru
つくる（作る）tsukuru
Key Points (Important)
Even though はしる【hashiru】 ends with 「る」 and “iru”,
it is still a U-verb.
This is something you get used to over time.
That’s why this site separates verbs into lists. (check)
You can always check them while studying.
How U-verbs change (basic pattern)
U-verbs change following the row of their final sound.
Example:
はしる（走る）
る ＝ ら行（ RA-Row )
It follows the ら・り・る・れ・ろ pattern.
◼️ はしらない（Negative – later lesson）
I do not run
◼️ はしります（Polite）
I run
◼️ はしる（Dictionary form）
to run
◼️ はしれない（Can’t – later lesson）
cannot run
◼️ はしろう（Volitional – later lesson）
let’s run
Another example:
かく（書く）
◼️ かかない（Negative – later lesson）
do not write
◼️ かきます（Polite）
write
◼️ かく（Dictionary form）
to write
◼️ かけない（Can’t – later lesson）
cannot write
◼️ かこう（Volitional – later lesson）
let’s write
This follows the か・き・く・け・こ pattern.
Important note
Some forms shown here will be learned in later lessons.
For now, you do NOT need to memorize all these changes.
The goal of this lesson is simply:
Verbs change, and the way they change depends on the verb group.
That’s it.
Even if you make mistakes at this stage,
you can still pass JLPT N5.
Irregular verbs（不規則動詞）
There are only two irregular verbs in Japanese:
•する
•くる
You will learn them later.
For now, just remember that they exist.
Final message
If your head feels full, that’s normal.
Remember:
•There are three verb groups
•You don’t need to master them yet
•Keep moving forward
Japanese becomes clear by repetition, not by perfection.
Next lesson, let’s continue.