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TYPO: Group 3 verb KURU was writen as KURURU prior to April 13.
ERRATUM: There are quite many exceptions to Group 2, not only seven, as written prior to April 13.

1. Group 1 / U-Verbs / Godan Verbs (5-step)
   These have 9 possible endings (they have different inflections):
   1. -u
      
   2. -ku
      
   3. -gu
      
   4. -su
      
   5. -tsu
      
   6. -nu
      
   7. -bu
      
   8. -mu
      
   9. -ru
2. Group 2 / RU-Verbs / Ichidan Verbs (1-step)
   These have 2 possible endings:
   1. -iru
      
   2. -eru
   There are a number of exceptions to Group 2; they are inflected like Group 1 verbs:
   • iru (need)
     
   • kiru (cut)
     
   • shiru (know)
     
   • chiru (disperse)
     
   • nigiru (hold tight)
     
   • hairu (enter)
     
   • hashiru (run)
     
   • heru (decrease)
     
   • aseru (become impatient)
     
   • kaeru (return)
     
   • keru (kick)
     
   • shaberu (chat)
3. Group 3 / irregular verbs
   There are only two:
   1. kuru (come)
      
   2. suru (do)
      Their inflections have to be memorized individually

Negative Stem

-- where negative endings/suffixes/auxiliaries, ex. -NAI (negative auxiliary), are attached

Continuative Stem or Stem

-- where other endings/suffixes/auxiliaries, ex. -MASU (polite auxiliary); can stand alone as a noun, thus the other name "Noun Form"

Present

-- also acts as the future tense when the action to be done is definite, the form found in dictionaries, thus the other name "Dictionary Form", also known as "Non-Past Form"

Imperative

-- used in commands

Volitional

-- form equivalent to "Let's"; has a note of uncertainty or probability, thus acts acts as future tense when action to be done is not definite, thus the other name "Probability"

TE-form

-- equivalent to English "-ing", also acts as conjunction, joining two verbs or clauses together

Past

-- formed in the same way as the TE-form

TARA-Conditional

-- formed in the same way as the Past

BA-Conditional

-- formed by replacing the final -U with -EBA

Exceptions:
IKU (go), the TE-form of which is ITTE, not IITE
ARU (be, have), the negative of which is the suffix -NAI and its inflections alone, and not ARANAI, ARANAKATTA, etc.

Posted: 1999-04-04 (Sun)
Updated: 1999-04-13 (Tue)