Japanese verb conjugation becomes much easier once you stop treating it as a long list of separate patterns and start seeing it as a small set of repeatable transformations. This reference page gives you a practical Japanese verb conjugation chart for the forms learners use constantly: plain, polite, negative, past, and te-form. You will also see how verb groups work, where common exceptions appear, and how to use each form in real sentences. If you want a page you can bookmark and return to while doing homework, reading Japanese text, preparing for the JLPT, or building everyday conversation skills, this is designed to be that page.
Overview
Here is the short version: Japanese verbs are usually grouped into three categories, and each category follows predictable conjugation rules.
- Group 1 verbs are often called u-verbs or godan verbs.
- Group 2 verbs are often called ru-verbs or ichidan verbs.
- Group 3 contains the two major irregular verbs: γγ and ζ₯γοΌγγοΌ.
The most useful base form to learn is the dictionary form, such as ζΈγ (to write), ι£γΉγ (to eat), or θ‘γ (to go). From there, you can derive the forms that appear in conversation, textbooks, grammar exercises, and translation work.
Before the full chart, it helps to know what each form does:
- Plain form: casual or neutral base form used in dictionaries, subordinate clauses, and informal speech.
- Polite form: usually the γΎγ form, used in everyday respectful speech.
- Negative: says that an action does not happen.
- Past: says that an action happened.
- Te-form: one of the most important connection forms in Japanese grammar.
Use this quick chart first, then check the detailed notes below it when something feels unclear.
Japanese verb conjugation chart
| Verb group | Dictionary | Plain negative | Plain past | Polite | Polite negative | Polite past | Te-form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | ζΈγ | ζΈγγͺγ | ζΈγγ | ζΈγγΎγ | ζΈγγΎγγ | ζΈγγΎγγ | ζΈγγ¦ |
| Group 1 | θ©±γ | θ©±γγͺγ | θ©±γγ | θ©±γγΎγ | θ©±γγΎγγ | θ©±γγΎγγ | θ©±γγ¦ |
| Group 2 | ι£γΉγ | ι£γΉγͺγ | ι£γΉγ | ι£γΉγΎγ | ι£γΉγΎγγ | ι£γΉγΎγγ | ι£γΉγ¦ |
| Group 2 | θ¦γ | θ¦γͺγ | θ¦γ | θ¦γΎγ | θ¦γΎγγ | θ¦γΎγγ | θ¦γ¦ |
| Irregular | γγ | γγͺγ | γγ | γγΎγ | γγΎγγ | γγΎγγ | γγ¦ |
| Irregular | ζ₯γ | ζ₯γͺγ | ζ₯γ | ζ₯γΎγ | ζ₯γΎγγ | ζ₯γΎγγ | ζ₯γ¦ |
If you are still learning kana, it may help to keep a hiragana chart and katakana chart nearby while reviewing these forms.
Core concepts
This section gives you the logic behind the chart, so you can conjugate new verbs instead of memorizing isolated examples.
1. How to identify verb groups
Group 2 (ru-verbs) are usually the easiest. Many end in γγ, and the sound before γ is often an e or i sound, as in ι£γΉγ and θ¦γ. To conjugate them, you usually drop γ and add a new ending.
Group 1 (u-verbs) are everything else in the regular system, including many verbs that also end in γγ, such as εΈ°γ and θ΅°γ. That is why ending in γ is not enough to identify a verb correctly.
Irregular verbs are mainly γγ and ζ₯γ, plus compounds built from them like εεΌ·γγ or ζγ£γ¦γγ.
A useful learner habit is to memorize every new verb with one extra form, usually either the γΎγ form or the γͺγ form. That quickly reveals the verb group.
2. Plain form and polite form
The plain form is not rude by itself. It is simply the non-γΎγ form. It appears in dictionaries, casual speech, and many grammar structures.
Examples:
- ζ―ζ₯ζ₯ζ¬θͺγεεΌ·γγγ I study Japanese every day.
- ζ η»γθ¦γγ I watch a movie.
The polite form uses γΎγ and is standard in classrooms, shops, first meetings, and many workplaces.
- ζ―ζ₯ζ₯ζ¬θͺγεεΌ·γγΎγγ
- ζ η»γθ¦γΎγγ
If you are working on formal Japanese vs casual Japanese, verb endings are one of the clearest signals of tone. The vocabulary may stay the same while the social feeling changes.
3. How to make the negative form
For Group 2 verbs, drop γ and add γͺγ.
- ι£γΉγ β ι£γΉγͺγ
- θ¦γ β θ¦γͺγ
For Group 1 verbs, change the final u sound to the corresponding a sound and add γͺγ.
- ζΈγ β ζΈγγͺγ
- θ©±γ β θ©±γγͺγ
- θͺγ β θͺγΎγͺγ
- εΎ γ€ β εΎ γγͺγ
The important exception is verbs ending in γ, which become γγͺγ, not γγͺγ.
- θ²·γ β θ²·γγͺγ
- δΌγ β δΌγγͺγ
Irregulars:
- γγ β γγͺγ
- ζ₯γ β ζ₯γͺγ
Polite negatives simply add γΎγγ:
- ι£γΉγΎγγ
- ζΈγγΎγγ
- γγΎγγ
4. How to make the past form
The plain past form is closely related to the te-form. If you learn one well, the other becomes easier.
Group 2 verbs are simple:
- ι£γΉγ β ι£γΉγ
- θ¦γ β θ¦γ
Group 1 verbs follow sound-based patterns:
- γγ, γγ€, γγ β γγ£γ
δΌγ β δΌγ£γ
εΎ γ€ β εΎ γ£γ
εΈ°γ β εΈ°γ£γ - γγ, γγΆ, γγ¬ β γγγ
θͺγ β θͺγγ
ιγΆ β ιγγ
ζ»γ¬ β ζ»γγ - γγ β γγγ
ζΈγ β ζΈγγ - γγ β γγγ
ζ³³γ β ζ³³γγ - γγ β γγγ
θ©±γ β θ©±γγ
One famous exception is θ‘γ, whose te-form and past do not follow the usual γ pattern:
- θ‘γ β θ‘γ£γ¦
- θ‘γ β θ‘γ£γ
Irregulars:
- γγ β γγ
- ζ₯γ β ζ₯γ
Polite past uses γΎγγ:
- ι£γΉγΎγγ
- ζΈγγΎγγ
- γγΎγγ
5. How to make the te-form
The te-form is essential because it connects clauses and supports many common grammar points.
Group 2:
- ι£γΉγ β ι£γΉγ¦
- θ¦γ β θ¦γ¦
Group 1:
- γγ, γγ€, γγ β γγ£γ¦
δΌγ β δΌγ£γ¦
εΎ γ€ β εΎ γ£γ¦
εΈ°γ β εΈ°γ£γ¦ - γγ, γγΆ, γγ¬ β γγγ§
θͺγ β θͺγγ§
ιγΆ β ιγγ§
ζ»γ¬ β ζ»γγ§ - γγ β γγγ¦
ζΈγ β ζΈγγ¦ - γγ β γγγ§
ζ³³γ β ζ³³γγ§ - γγ β γγγ¦
θ©±γ β θ©±γγ¦
Exception:
- θ‘γ β θ‘γ£γ¦
Irregulars:
- γγ β γγ¦
- ζ₯γ β ζ₯γ¦
If you want a simple memory shortcut, pair the plain past and te-form:
- ζΈγγ / ζΈγγ¦
- θͺγγ / θͺγγ§
- θ©±γγ / θ©±γγ¦
- εΈ°γ£γ / εΈ°γ£γ¦
6. A compact pattern table
| Ending | Negative | Past | Te-form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 2 γγ | γγͺγ | γγ | γγ¦ |
| Group 1 γγ/γ€/γ | γγγͺγ / γγγͺγ / γγγͺγ pattern by row | γγ£γ | γγ£γ¦ |
| Group 1 γγ/γΆ/γ¬ | γγΎγͺγ / γγ°γͺγ / γγͺγͺγ | γγγ | γγγ§ |
| Group 1 γγ | γγγͺγ | γγγ | γγγ¦ |
| Group 1 γγ | γγγͺγ | γγγ | γγγ§ |
| Group 1 γγ | γγγͺγ | γγγ | γγγ¦ |
| γγ | γγͺγ | γγ | γγ¦ |
| ζ₯γ | ζ₯γͺγ | ζ₯γ | ζ₯γ¦ |
Once these patterns feel familiar, Japanese grammar stops looking random and starts looking highly structured.
Related terms
This section connects the chart to the terminology you will see in textbooks, apps, classes, and JLPT study guides.
Dictionary form
The dictionary form is the plain non-past form of a verb, such as θͺγ or ι£γΉγ. Many learners casually call this the plain form, though technically plain form can include plain negative and plain past as well.
Non-past
Japanese often uses one base form for both present and future meaning, depending on context.
- ζζ₯θ‘γγ I will go tomorrow.
- ζ―ζ₯θ‘γγ I go every day.
Masu-stem
The γΎγ stem is the part left when you remove γΎγ from a polite verb form.
- ζΈγγΎγ β ζΈγ
- ι£γΉγΎγ β ι£γΉ
This stem appears in other forms too, such as noun-like compounds or polite requests.
Ta-form
The ta-form is simply the plain past form. Many textbooks name it separately because it behaves like a core building block in grammar instruction.
Nai-form
The nai-form is the plain negative form. It is useful not only for saying βdo notβ but also for grammar patterns built on γͺγ.
Te-form uses
The te-form is not just a connector. It supports many high-frequency patterns, including:
- γγ¦γγ for ongoing states or actions
- γγ¦γγ γγ for requests
- γγ¦γγγ for permission
- γγ¦γ―γγγͺγ for prohibition
- linking actions in sequence
Example:
- γγ’γιγγ¦γε ₯γ£γ¦γγ γγγ Open the door and come in, please.
To make these sentences work naturally, you also need particles. If that is an area you are still sorting out, see Japanese Particles Explained: Wa, Ga, O, Ni, De, and More.
Transitive and intransitive verbs
Conjugation patterns and verb meaning are separate issues. A verb can conjugate regularly while still requiring a different particle pattern depending on whether it takes a direct object.
- γγ’γιγγγ Open the door. (transitive)
- γγ’γιγγ The door opens. (intransitive)
This matters in translation and sentence building because correct conjugation does not guarantee correct grammar.
Practical use cases
Here is how to turn the chart into something you can actually use in study, conversation, and reading.
1. Building your own mini reference set
Pick one verb from each major pattern and memorize it as a model:
- δΌγ for γ verbs
- εΎ γ€ for γ€ verbs
- εΈ°γ for godan γ verbs
- θͺγ for γ
- ιγΆ for γΆ
- ζ»γ¬ for γ¬
- ζΈγ for γ
- ζ³³γ for γ
- θ©±γ for γ
- ι£γΉγ for ichidan
- γγ and ζ₯γ for irregulars
If you know one model for each line, you can usually map a new verb onto the same pattern in seconds.
2. Reading and translating Japanese text
When you see a verb in the wild, identify the ending before translating the sentence. For example:
- θͺγγ§ tells you the base verb likely ends in γ, γΆ, or γ¬.
- ζΈγγ points back to ζΈγ.
- ι£γΉγΎγγγ§γγ tells you this is polite, negative, and past all at once.
This habit is especially useful when you translate Japanese text or review machine output. Understanding the verb form often clarifies tense, register, and clause relationships before you look at every noun.
3. Everyday conversation
Use polite forms when meeting people, asking for help, or speaking in customer-facing settings.
- γ³γΌγγΌγι£²γΏγΎγγ I drink coffee.
- δ»ζ₯γ―θ‘γγΎγγγ I am not going today.
Use plain forms with close friends, family, and in informal internal thoughts.
- γγ¨γ§θ‘γγ I will go later.
- ι£γΉγͺγγ I am not eating it. / I do not eat it.
Learning both forms early helps you avoid sounding either too blunt or unnecessarily stiff.
4. JLPT study
For JLPT preparation, verb recognition matters as much as production. You may need to identify whether a sentence means past or non-past, positive or negative, plain or polite, and whether the te-form is linking actions or forming another grammar pattern.
A practical routine is to combine conjugation review with level-appropriate vocabulary. If you are organizing study by exam level, a good next step is JLPT Vocabulary Lists by Level With Frequency Priorities and Study Tips and Kanji by JLPT Level: A Study List for N5 to N1 Learners.
5. Writing drills that actually work
Instead of filling pages with random conjugation, use a five-column drill:
- Dictionary form
- Plain negative
- Plain past
- Polite form
- Te-form
Example set:
- θ‘γ / θ‘γγͺγ / θ‘γ£γ / θ‘γγΎγ / θ‘γ£γ¦
- ι£²γ / ι£²γΎγͺγ / ι£²γγ / ι£²γΏγΎγ / ι£²γγ§
- θ¦γ / θ¦γͺγ / θ¦γ / θ¦γΎγ / θ¦γ¦
This works well because each row reinforces a pattern family rather than a single isolated answer.
6. Common mistakes to catch early
- Assuming every γγ verb is a ru-verb
- Forgetting that γ β γγͺγ in the negative
- Mixing up γγγ§ and γγγ¦ patterns
- Forgetting the exception θ‘γ β θ‘γ£γ¦ / θ‘γ£γ
- Using plain form in a situation that calls for polite speech
If your errors repeat, sort them by pattern rather than by vocabulary word. Usually the pattern is the real issue.
When to revisit
Come back to this chart whenever your Japanese starts expanding into new contexts. Verb conjugation is basic, but it keeps becoming relevant at higher levels because new grammar builds on the same core forms.
Revisit this page when:
- you start mixing plain and polite speech inconsistently
- you begin using the te-form for more than simple requests
- you encounter many γ-ending verbs and keep misclassifying them
- you start reading native materials and need to reverse-engineer verb forms quickly
- you prepare for JLPT review and want a compact refresh before practice questions
- you notice that translation errors often come from tense, negation, or register rather than vocabulary
A simple action plan is:
- Memorize the three verb groups.
- Master one model verb for each major ending pattern.
- Practice converting 20 common verbs into five forms.
- Read short sentences and identify the verb form before translating.
- Add more advanced forms only after these become automatic.
If you want to study efficiently, do not wait until conjugation feels completely comfortable before moving on. Instead, revisit it in cycles. Learn a grammar point, return to the chart, and notice how the new grammar depends on old forms. That is how this reference is meant to be used: not once, but repeatedly, as your Japanese language learning becomes broader and more precise.
For learners building a structured path, it also helps to pair this article with broader study planning, including exam timelines such as JLPT Exam Dates, Registration Windows, and Score Release Timeline. A strong routine is easier to maintain when your grammar review, vocabulary practice, and test preparation all support each other.
