Verbs · N5
Japanese verb groups: godan, ichidan and irregular
The three-way classification that makes conjugation predictable.
In short
Japanese verbs are commonly grouped as godan, ichidan, and a small irregular group headed by する and 来る.
How it works
Ichidan verbs generally drop final る before many endings: 食べる→食べます. Godan verbs change the final kana row: 書く→書きます. Some verbs ending in る are godan, so spelling alone is not always enough.
Useful contrast
Group labels describe conjugation behavior, not meaning or formality.
Examples
食べる → 食べます
to eat → polite
書く → 書きます
to write → polite
Common pitfall
Learn each new verb with its group when the ending is ambiguous. Common exceptions become easy through repeated use.