The Most Common Japanese Verbs You MUST Know

11 February 2025

🎯 Want to actually speak Japanese, not just read about it? Practise with a friendly tutor for about the price of a coffee — try a lesson on italki → Affiliate link — supports Wakoku at no extra cost to you.

Mastering the Most Common Japanese Verbs for Everyday Conversations

If you want to build a strong foundation in Japanese, learning the most common Japanese verbs is essential. Verbs form the backbone of any language, and in Japanese, mastering them will significantly improve your ability to express yourself.

Did you know that verbs make up over 25% of all words used in daily Japanese conversations? By focusing on basic Japanese verbs, you can quickly improve your fluency and confidently engage in everyday interactions.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The different types of Japanese verbs (U-verbs, Ru-verbs, and Irregular verbs)
• How Japanese verb conjugation works
• The top 100+ most common Japanese verbs with usage examples
• Key tips to help you remember and use Japanese verbs correctly

By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid list of essential Japanese verbs to start using in daily conversations. Let’s dive in!

📝 Understanding Japanese Verb Groups

Unlike English, where verbs change based on the subject (e.g., “I am,” “he is”), Japanese verbs remain the same regardless of the speaker. Instead, verbs are classified based on how they conjugate.

There are three main types of Japanese verbs:

1️⃣ U-Verbs (Godan verbs)

These verbs end in -u but have a changing stem when conjugated.

📌 Example:

• 書く (kaku) – “to write”
• 飲む (nomu) – “to drink”
• 話す (hanasu) – “to speak”

2️⃣ Ru-Verbs (Ichidan verbs)

These verbs end in -ru and have a consistent stem.

📌 Example:

• 食べる (taberu) – “to eat”
• 見る (miru) – “to see”
• 寝る (neru) – “to sleep”

3️⃣ Irregular Verbs

There are only two irregular Japanese verbs:

• する (suru) – “to do” (used to create many compound verbs)
• 来る (kuru) – “to come”

Understanding these verb types will make Japanese verb conjugation much easier.

🚀 The Most Common Japanese Verbs You Should Learn First

Now, let’s explore the most frequently used Japanese verbs. These verbs will help you navigate daily conversations and improve your comprehension.

🔹 Essential Action Verbs (Physical Actions)

English

Japanese (Romaji)

Kanji

Hiragana

To go

iku

行く

いく

To come

kuru

来る

くる

To eat

taberu

食べる

たべる

To drink

nomu

飲む

のむ

To see / watch

miru

見る

みる

To listen

kiku

聞く

きく

To walk

aruku

歩く

あるく

To run

hashiru

走る

はしる

To stand

tatsu

立つ

たつ

To sit

suwaru

座る

すわる

📖 Example Sentences:

• 毎朝コーヒーを飲む。 (Maiasa kōhī o nomu.) – “I drink coffee every morning.”
• 公園で歩くのが好き。 (Kōen de aruku no ga suki.) – “I like walking in the park.”

🔹 Common Mental & Emotional Verbs

English

Japanese (Romaji)

Kanji

Hiragana

To think

kangaeru

考える

かんがえる

To know

shiru

知る

しる

To believe

shinjiru

信じる

しんじる

To remember

omou

思う

おもう

To understand

wakaru

分かる

わかる

To forget

wasureru

忘れる

わすれる

To like

suki

好き

すき

To hate

kirai

嫌い

きらい

To hope

negau

願う

ねがう

📖 Example Sentences:

• 彼の名前を忘れた！ (Kare no namae o wasureta!) – “I forgot his name!”
• 日本語を話すのが楽しい。 (Nihongo o hanasu no ga tanoshii.) – “Speaking Japanese is fun.”

🔹 Important Daily Life Verbs

English

Japanese (Romaji)

Kanji

Hiragana

To work

hataraku

働く

はたらく

To study

benkyou suru

勉強する

べんきょうする

To wake up

okiru

起きる

おきる

To sleep

neru

寝る

ねる

To buy

kau

買う

かう

To sell

uru

売る

うる

To rest

yasumu

休む

やすむ

To travel

ryokou suru

旅行する

りょこうする

📖 Example Sentences:

• 毎日日本語を勉強する。 (Mainichi Nihongo o benkyou suru.) – “I study Japanese every day.”
• 週末に買い物に行く。 (Shūmatsu ni kaimono ni iku.) – “I go shopping on weekends.”

🏆 Mastering Japanese Verb Conjugation

Japanese verb conjugation follows a few simple patterns. Here’s a quick breakdown:

✅ Polite vs. Casual Form

• Casual: 話す (hanasu) – “to speak”
• Polite: 話します (hanashimasu) – “to speak (formal)”

✅ Negative Form

• Casual: 食べない (tabenai) – “not eat”
• Polite: 食べません (tabemasen) – “not eat (formal)”

✅ Past Form

• Casual: 行った (itta) – “went”
• Polite: 行きました (ikimashita) – “went (formal)”

If you want to sound more polite, stick to the -masu form, especially in professional or unfamiliar settings.

🎯 Best Strategies for Learning Japanese Verbs

Here are some effective tips to help you memorize and use Japanese verbs:

✔ Use Flashcards: Apps like Anki or WaniKani can help you drill verbs daily.
✔ Create Sample Sentences: Practice using new verbs in sentences to reinforce their meanings.
✔ Listen to Native Speakers: Watch Japanese movies, anime, or listen to podcasts to hear verbs in action.
✔ Practice Speaking: Try speaking with language partners or using shadowing techniques.

By applying these strategies, you’ll internalize the most common Japanese verbs faster and use them naturally.

📌 Final Thoughts: Take Your Japanese to the Next Level

Now that you know the most common Japanese verbs, it’s time to start practicing them in daily conversations! By mastering verb groups, conjugations, and common usage, you’ll be well on your way to fluency in Japanese.

Want to expand your vocabulary further? Check out:

• Best Way to Study Japanese on Your Own
• Telling Time in Japanese
• Essential Japanese Phrases

Keep learning, practicing, and having fun with Japanese! 🚀 🇯🇵