Learn Japanese Verbs Like a Native (Ichidan & Godan Verb Groups)

Summary

This video explains how Japanese learners distinguish between two main verb types: Ichidan (one stem) and Godan (five stems). The instructor covers the structure of both types, including conjugation rules and how to identify them. Ichidan verbs, ending in 'iru' or 'eru', have a single stem that changes with simple conjugation. Godan verbs, ending in various kana such as 'ku' or 'su', undergo more complex shifts. The video also touches on irregular verbs like 'suru' and 'kuru' and introduces methods for recognizing verbs with similar endings. The tutorial is designed to help learners better understand verb conjugations in Japanese.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japanese verbs are categorized into two main types: Godan (五段) verbs and Ichidan (一段) verbs.
• 😀 Godan verbs change their conjugation by shifting from the う-row kana into the い, あ, え, お, and て-stems.
• 😀 Ichidan verbs have only one stem, and to conjugate them, you simply drop the る at the end of the verb.
• 😀 Verbs that end in いる or える are usually Ichidan verbs, but not all of them fit this rule (e.g., 走る).
• 😀 To conjugate Ichidan verbs, you drop the る and add ます for formal speech or ない for negative forms.
• 😀 The two irregular verbs in Japanese are する (to do) and 来る (to come). These do not follow regular conjugation rules.
• 😀 Godan verbs, when conjugated, can transform into various stems like あ, い, え, お, and て-stems.
• 😀 The い-stem of a verb is crucial because it acts as a connector to other grammatical elements like ます or ない.
• 😀 Some verbs, like 着る (wear) and 切る (cut), appear similar because they end in いる or える, but one is Ichidan and the other is Godan. Context is key to distinguishing them.
• 😀 In some cases, the verb's context, such as the words it combines with (like kimono for 着る), can help determine whether a verb is Ichidan or Godan.
• 😀 The video introduces worksheets and membership options for further learning, but the core content is available for free on the channel.

Q & A

What are the two categories of verbs in Japanese?

The two categories of verbs in Japanese are 'Ichidan verbs' (一段 verbs) and 'Godan verbs' (五段 verbs).

How can you identify a verb in Japanese?

You can identify a verb in Japanese because every verb ends in a う-row kana (such as う, く, つ, etc.).

What is the key difference between Ichidan and Godan verbs?

Ichidan verbs end in いる or える, and they have only one conjugation stem, while Godan verbs end in other kana like う, く, つ, ぶ, す, ぬ, む, or る, and have five conjugation stems.

What is the formal ます form for the verb 歩く (to walk)?

The formal ます form of 歩く (to walk) is 歩きます.

What do you do to make Ichidan verbs formal?

To make Ichidan verbs formal, you drop the る from the verb and add ます. For example, 食べる becomes 食べます.

Why does the verb 着る (to wear) not follow the same conjugation pattern as other Ichidan verbs?

The verb 着る is an Ichidan verb, but it has its own specific conjugation, which involves simply dropping the る and adding ます, making it 着ます in its formal form.

What are the two irregular verbs mentioned in the script?

The two irregular verbs mentioned are する (to do) and 来る (to come).

How do you make the verb する formal?

To make the verb する formal, you use the form します, not すります.

What is the primary rule to identify an Ichidan verb?

An Ichidan verb must end in いる or える, and it will always have just one conjugation stem (i.e., the verb drops る to create its other forms).

How do you differentiate between Ichidan and Godan verbs that end in いる or える?

To differentiate between Ichidan and Godan verbs that end in いる or える, you need to check other instances of the verb or look at how it behaves in its conjugated form, particularly by observing whether it follows the Ichidan rule of dropping る or has multiple stems like Godan verbs.