Verb Syntax Classification#
| Syntax Classification | Verb Terminology |
|---|---|
| School Grammar (for native speakers) | Godan Verbs, Ichidan Verbs, Ka and Sa Irregular Verbs |
| Educational Grammar (for foreign speakers) | Type I Verbs, Type II Verbs, Type III Verbs |
Personally, I prefer the school grammar because it is easier to remember.
Related notes: Godan Verbs, Sa and Ka Irregular Verbs
Ichidan Verbs#
Ichidan verbs have simpler conjugations compared to godan verbs.
They only need to satisfy one condition: end with "い段 (i-dan)" or "え段 (e-dan)" + る.
Verb Conjugation: Remove る (with pronunciation change) and add the appropriate ending. (Godan verbs require changes to the word stem.)
School Grammar Conjugation Table (Ichidan Verbs)#
Using "起き (ki)" as an example:
| Conjugation | Representative Form | Meaning | Pronunciation Change | Ending | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Conjugation | Negative Form | Indicates negation | Remove る | ない | 起きない |
| Second Conjugation | Continuative Form | Polite, past, hopeful... | Remove る | ます，た，て，たい... | 起きます |
| Third Conjugation | Terminal Form | Indicates termination | Remove る | 。 | 起き。 |
| Fourth Conjugation | Attributive Form | Modifies nouns | Remove る | Noun (こと，とき...) | 起き XX |
| Fifth Conjugation | Hypothetical Form | Indicates assumption, if | Remove る | れば | 起きれば |
| Sixth Conjugation | Imperative Form | Indicates command | Remove る | ろ | 起きろ |
| Seventh Conjugation | Volitional Form | Indicates intention | Remove る | よう | 起きよう |
The table may not be complete. For other meanings, refer to the following:
Premise: Remove る
- First Conjugation:
- Negative Form: Verb Stem + ない
- Causative Form: Verb Stem + せる
- Passive Form: Verb Stem + せる
- Causative Passive Form: Verb Stem + せられる
- Second Conjugation:
- Masu Form: Verb Stem + ます，ません (polite)
- Tai Form: Verb Stem + たい (desire)
- Fifth Conjugation:
- Potential Form: Verb Stem + られる (ability)
- Conditional Form / Realis Form / Hypothetical Form: Verb Stem + れば (condition)
In fact, when comparing the pronunciation changes of ichidan verbs and godan verbs, they are almost the same as the pronunciation changes in godan verbs. After all, language is spoken by people, and there are always patterns.
For example, in the passive voice (passive form) of godan verbs, the pronunciation change is "U → A, and the corresponding verb conjugation is to add 「れる」". In the passive voice (passive form) of ichidan verbs, the pronunciation change is "Remove る (U), and then add 「られる」". Did you notice? The 「ら」 in 「られる」 is equal to the "る (U-dan) becomes ら (A-dan)" in godan verbs, right?
Except for the four verbs "得る (to obtain)", "出る (to go out)", "寝る (to lie down)", and "経る (to pass through)", all other verbs that consist of one kanji character + る are godan verbs.
Special: In Japanese, there are 26 verbs that completely satisfy the characteristics of ichidan verbs, but they are actually godan verbs.
Recommended Reading:#
This article is based on and learned from 【時雨の町】.