Japanese dictionary form and verb classes

The idea

Godan dictionary forms end in an う-row kana, as in 読む and 帰る. Ichidan verbs end in る, as in 食べる. する and 来る are irregular. The dictionary form can finish a plain sentence and also precede constructions such as ことができます.

Examples

• 毎朝まいあさ、朝あさご飯はんを食たべる。I eat breakfast every morning.
• 毎朝まいあさ、水みずを飲のむ。I drink water every morning.
• 毎晩まいばん本ほんを読よむ。I read a book every evening.
• 明日あした、学校がっこうに行いく。I am going to school tomorrow.
• 毎晩まいばん、日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうする。I study Japanese every evening.
• 明日あした、友達ともだちがうちに来くる。A friend is coming to my home tomorrow.

Watch out

A final る alone does not determine the class: 食べる is ichidan, but 帰る is godan. A polite form does not always reveal the dictionary form uniquely, so learn the class and dictionary form together.

Try it yourself

1. 「食たべます」→＿＿（辞書形じしょけい）

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   食べる

   食べる: 食べます is the polite form of the ichidan verb 食べる.

2. 「飲のみます」→＿＿（辞書形じしょけい）

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   飲む

   飲む: 飲みます comes from the godan verb 飲む.

3. 「帰かえります」→＿＿（辞書形じしょけい）

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   帰る

   帰る: 帰ります comes from 帰る, a godan verb despite its る ending.

4. 「来きます」→＿＿（辞書形じしょけい）

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   来る

   来る: 来ます is the polite form of the irregular verb 来る; its reading changes from き to く.

Use it today

Look up three verbs you know in their polite form. Record their dictionary forms and classes, then use one in a plain sentence.