Verb Groups (Group 1/2/3)
動詞のグループ
Japanese verbs are classified into three groups that determine how they conjugate: う-verbs (Group 1), る-verbs (Group 2), and irregular verbs (Group 3).
Pattern
Group 1: *u → *anai, *ite / Group 2: -ru → -nai, -te / Group 3: irregular
Explanation
Group 1 (う-verbs/五段動詞): Verbs ending in う, く, ぐ, す, つ, ぬ, ぶ, む, or る (where the vowel before る is not い or え). Examples: 書く, 飲む, 行く, 帰る, 走る.
Group 2 (る-verbs/一段動詞): Verbs ending in る where the vowel before る is い or え. Examples: 食べる, 見る, 起きる, 教える. Some exceptions exist (帰る, 走る are Group 1 despite ending in -iru/-eru).
Group 3 (irregular): Only two verbs: する (to do) and 来る (くる, to come). These have unique conjugation patterns that must be memorized.
Examples
書く、書かない、書いて。
かく、かかない、かいて。
Kaku, kakanai, kaite.
Write, don't write, writing (Group 1 example)
食べる、食べない、食べて。
たべる、たべない、たべて。
Taberu, tabenai, tabete.
Eat, don't eat, eating (Group 2 example)
する、しない、して。
する、しない、して。
Suru, shinai, shite.
Do, don't do, doing (Group 3 irregular)
来る、来ない、来て。
くる、こない、きて。
Kuru, konai, kite.
Come, don't come, coming (Group 3 irregular)
Common Mistakes
Wrong
帰る → 帰ない (as Group 2)
Correct
帰る → 帰らない (Group 1)
帰る (kaeru) looks like a Group 2 verb but is Group 1. Memorize exceptions like 帰る, 走る, 入る.
Wrong
食べる → 食べらない
Correct
食べる → 食べない
Group 2 verbs simply drop る and add ない, with no additional changes.
Usage Notes
Learning which group a verb belongs to is essential for all conjugation. When learning new verbs, always note their group.
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