JLPT N5 grammar · The TE-Form Core

Verb Group [dictionary-form] Version: meaning, usage and examples

Verb Group [dictionary-form] Version means: Verb groups by dictionary form: Group 1 (-u verbs, including some -iru/-eru verbs such as 帰かえる and 走はしる), Group 2 (-iru/-eru verbs such as 食たべる and 見みる), Group 3 (irregular: する and 来くる).

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How to form it

G1: ends in -u consonant / G2: ends in -iru or -eru / G3: する and 来くる (irregular)

Examples

  1. 飲のむ(G1)、食たべる(G2)、する(G3)、来くる(G3)

    nomu (G1), taberu (G2), suru (G3), kuru (G3)

  2. 買かう(G1)、見みる(G2)、勉強べんきょうする(G3)

    kau (G1), miru (G2), benkyousuru (G3)

  3. 毎日まいにち日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうする。

    I study Japanese every day.

  4. 夜よるは早はやく寝ねる。

    I go to bed early at night.

  5. 明日あした友達ともだちが来くる。

    My friend is coming tomorrow.

When to use it

Understanding verb groups is essential for correctly forming the て-form, ない-form, た-form, and conditionals.

Nuance

Some -iru/-eru verbs are actually G1 (e.g., 帰かえる kaeru = G1). These must be memorized.

Compare

G1 drop the -u and add -imasu; G2 drop the -ru and add -masu; G3 are just memorized.

Tip: When in doubt about G1 vs G2, check the て-form: G1 varies (飲のんで, 書かいて); G2 is always て (食たべて, 見みて).

More on this in Japanese verb conjugation.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Verb Group [dictionary-form] Version mean?

Verb groups by dictionary form: Group 1 (-u verbs, including some -iru/-eru verbs such as 帰かえる and 走はしる), Group 2 (-iru/-eru verbs such as 食たべる and 見みる), Group 3 (irregular: する and 来くる). Example: 飲のむ(G1)、食たべる(G2)、する(G3)、来くる(G3) (nomu (G1), taberu (G2), suru (G3), kuru (G3))

How do you form Verb Group [dictionary-form] Version?

G1: ends in -u consonant / G2: ends in -iru or -eru / G3: する and 来くる (irregular). When in doubt about G1 vs G2, check the て-form: G1 varies (飲のんで, 書かいて); G2 is always て (食たべて, 見みて).