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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar Verb Groups ＜動詞（どうし）のグループ＞.
What is Verb Groups?
Verbs in Japanese are conjugated and connected to different grammatical forms.
Verbs are classified into three groups according to their type of conjugation.
In this lesson, we explain how to classify them into different groups based on their ますform.
⚠Vますform(動詞ます形 どうしますけい): The form that a verb takes when used with ます（masu） is called “ますform.”
＜Group Ⅰ (Ⅰグループ)＞
In theⅠgroup of verbs, the letter before "ます" is in the "い"column.
Please refer to the syllabary chart below.
Examples of verbs in Group Ⅰ
書きます（かきます, write）, 聞きます（ききます, listen）,
泳ぎます（およぎます, swim）, 飲みます（のみます, drink）,
呼びます（よびます, call), 作ります（つくります, make), ...etc.
＜Group Ⅱ (Ⅱグループ)＞
In theⅡ group of verbs, the letter before "ます" is in the "え"column.
Please refer to the syllabary chart below.
Examples of verbs in Group Ⅱ
寝ます（ねます, sleep）, 食べます(たべます, eat), つけます（turn on）,
教えます(おしえます, teach), 閉めます(しめます, close),
開けます（あけます, open）, ...etc.
Examples of special verbs in Group Ⅱ②
There are some exceptions to the verbs in the Ⅱ group, where the character before "ます" can be in the "い"column.
見ます（みます, see）, 起きます（おきます, get up）,
います（be）, 借ります（かります, borrow)...etc.
＜Group Ⅲ ( Ⅲグループ)＞
Only "します（do)" and "来ます（きます, come)" belong to the Ⅲ Group verbs.
However, the form "noun + します" and compound verbs using "来ます" are also included here.
Examples of verbs in Group Ⅲ
します(do), 来ます(きます, come), 持って来ます(もってきます, bring),
勉強します(べんきょうします, study), 買い物します(かいものします, go shopping)...etc.
Video Explanation
Related Japanese Verb Forms
- Japanese Grammar: Verb て Form
- Japanese Grammar: Verb た Form
- Japanese Grammar: Verb ない Form
- Japanese Grammar: Dictionary Form
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson14), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
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