Verb Types
In this chapter, we will be learning about different verb conjugations. There are 6 different types of verbs: RU verbs, U verbs, Semi-Irregular verbs, Irregular verbs, the copula, and I adjectives. These are the only types of words that appear at the end of a complete sentence. I adjectives and the copula are not true verbs, but they have conjugate, so I always include them whenever we talk about verbs. For anyone who has ever taken another language, you will be pleased to know that there are only two irregular verbs and a handful that are different only in one or two conjugations.
RU Verbs
RU verbs always end in "eru" or "iru". They are the easiest verbs to conjugate because there's only one stem that is used with every tense.
Here's some examples of RU verbs
taberu = to eat iru = there is/are
miru = to watch, to see neru = to sleep
U Verbs
U verbs always end in a consonant plus "u." There are only 8 consonants that can preceed the final "u." The consonants that can come before the "u" are:
S, K, G, N, B, M, TS and R
In addition to that, U verbs can also end in "u" with no consonant preceding it.
If you look at the list of examples, though, there is a bit of confusion. U verbs can also end in "ru." Usually you can tell if it is RU or U type by seing if it ends in "eru" or "iru," but there are a few exceptions. The most common example of this is "kaeru." As a RU type verb it means "to change (something)" but as a U verb, it means "to go back" or "to go home."
hanasu = to talk, to speak shinu = to die
kaku = to write, to draw tobu = to jump, to fly
oyogu = to swim nomu = to drink
katsu = to win uru = to sell
kau = to buy
Notes:
* Verbs that end in "su" change slightly in certain forms. Whenever "s" is follwed by "i," it isn't "si" because Japanese doesn't have that sound, so it instead becomes "shi."
** Verbs that end in "ts" change as well. The consonant "ts" only appears before a "u" sound. That means when it is followed by "a" "e" or "o," it becomes a normal "t" plus that vowel. But, when it is followed by an "i" sound, it isn't "ti," because Japanese doesn't have that sound. So instead, it becomes "ch."
*** Just as a piece of trivia, "shinu" (to die) is the only verb in the Japanese language that ends in "nu."
Semi-Irregular Verbs
So far you have learned one semi-irregular verb. "Iku" is only irregular in the past tense and the TE form. I will show you how it changes as you get to there though. Other than that, though, it is completely regular. Another semi-irregular verb you will learn is "aru" (there is/are) which is irregular in the negative. I will explain that in the lesson Locative Verbs. Also, there are a few honorific words that change in their polite forms, but that's pretty far down the road.
Irregular Verbs
The two irregular verbs in Japanese are "kuru" (to come) and "suru" (to do). They both are completely irregular, so I will show you their conjugations as you learn the different conjugations. "Suru" in particular is one of the most common verbs in the language. It means "to do" and it is also added after kanji words to make them into verbs.
The Copula
You've learned about the copula earlier. The copula is not really a verb so it is conjugated very differently. One thing that will help you here is that "da" is actual a contraction of the postposition "de" and the semi-irregular verb "aru" I just talked about. Actually, "de aru" is sometiems used instead of "da" in writting. However, "de aru" is never used in spoken Japanese.
I Adjectives
I adjectives are like verbs and are conjugated like them. However, they have different endings for each conjugation. The only irregular adjective in Japanese is "ii" which means "good." The reason it is irregular is because you have to use a slightly more formal word "yoi" for all other conjugations except for the present tense.
ii (yoi) = good nai = there is/are no
yasashii = easy muzukashii = hard
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