List of all Essential Japanese Verbs
Explore 300+ basic Japanese verbs with audio pronunciation, conjugations, and example sentences. Each verb includes detailed grammar explanations and practical usage examples.
| Verb | Reading | Meaning | Type | Audio | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
～(て) しまう | ～(て) しまう ～(te) shimau | to end up ~ | Irregular | Details | |
あげる | あげる ageru | to give | Ichidan | Details | |
ある | ある aru | to be, to exist (for inanimate objects) | Irregular | Details | |
いじめる | いじめる ijimeru | to bully, to torment | Ichidan | Details | |
いただく | 頂く 頂ku | -- extra-modest expression for たべる and のむ; humble expression for もらう -- | Irregular | Details | |
いらっしゃる | いらっしゃる irassharu | -- honorific expression for いく, くる, and いる -- | Irregular | Details | |
うかがう | うかがう ukagau | to ask | Irregular | Details | |
おいでになる | おいでになる oideninaru | (hon.) to be | Irregular | Details | |
おっしゃる | おっしゃる ossharu | -- honorific expression for いう -- | Irregular | Details | |
おる | おる oru | -- extra-modest expression for いる -- | Irregular | Details | |
かかる | かかる kakaru | it takes (amount of time, money) (v.i.) | Godan | Details | |
かける | かける kakeru | to dial/call (e.g., phone); to sit down | Ichidan | Details | |
かぶる | かぶる kaburu | to wear, to put on (e.g., a hat on the head) | Godan | Details | |
かまう | かまう kamau | to mind, to care about, to be concerned about | Godan | Details | |
～がる | ～がる ～garu | feel | Godan | Details | |
くださる | くださる kudasaru | (hon.) to give, to confer | Irregular | Details | |
くれる | くれる kureru | to give, to do for | Ichidan | Details | |
けがする | けがする kegasuru | injury (to animate object), hurt | Irregular | Details | |
けんかする | けんかする kenkasuru | quarrel | Irregular | Details | |
～ございます | ～ございます ～gozaimasu | to be (polite), to exist | Irregular | Details | |
コピーする | コピーする kopiisuru | to copy | Irregular | Details | |
ごらんになる | ごらんになる goranninaru | -- honorific expression for みる -- | Irregular | Details | |
する | する suru | to do, to try; to wear small items (e.g., necktie, watch, etc.) | Irregular | Details | |
チェックする | チェックする chekkusuru | check | Irregular | Details | |
つける | つける tsukeru | to turn on (e.g., a light); to take | Ichidan | Details | |
できる | できる dekiru | to be able to (to accomplish) | Ichidan | Details | |
なさる | なさる nasaru | -- honorific expression for する -- | Irregular | Details | |
なる | なる naru | to become | Godan | Details | |
はく | はく haku | to put on (items below your waist) | Godan | Details | |
びっくりする | びっくりする bikkurisuru | to be surprised | Irregular | Details | |
もらう | もらう morau | to receive | Godan | Details | |
やる | やる yaru | to do; to give (to pets, parents, siblings, etc.) | Godan | Details | |
挨拶 | あいさつする aisatsusuru | greet(ing) | Irregular | Details | |
移る | うつる utsuru | to move (from a house); to transfer (from a department); to shift | Godan | Details | |
違う | ちがう chigau | to be different; to differ; wrong | Godan | Details | |
育てる | そだてる sodateru | to raise (v.t.); to bring up | Ichidan | Details | |
引く | ひく hiku | to pull, to draw; subtract | Godan | Details | |
引っ越す | ひっこす hikkosu | to move to a new place of residence | Godan | Details | |
飲む | のむ nomu | to drink | Godan | Details | |
運ぶ | はこぶ hakobu | to transport, to carry | Godan | Details | |
運転 | うんてんする untensuru | driving | Irregular | Details | |
運動 | うんどうする undousuru | exercise | Irregular | Details | |
泳ぐ | およぐ oyogu | to swim | Godan | Details | |
遠慮 | えんりょする enryosuru | restraint, reserve, hesitate | Irregular | Details | |
汚れる | よごれる yogoreru | to become dirty | Ichidan | Details | |
押す | おす osu | to push, to press, to stamp (e.g., a passport) | Godan | Details | |
下げる | さげる sageru | to lower (v.t.); to hang | Ichidan | Details | |
下りる | おりる oriru | to get down, to go; come down | Ichidan | Details | |
下る | さがる sagaru | to descend, to drop, to fall | Godan | Details | |
歌う | うたう utau | to sing | Godan | Details | |
過ぎる | すぎる sugiru | to exceed, to go beyond | Ichidan | Details | |
会う | あう au | to meet, to see | Godan | Details | |
回る、回す | まわる、まわす mawaru,mawasu | to go around, to revolve | Godan | Details | |
壊す | こわす kowasu | to break, to break down | Godan | Details | |
壊れる | こわれる kowareru | to be broken, to break | Ichidan | Details | |
開く | あく aku | to open, to become open | Godan | Details | |
開く | ひらく hiraku | to open; to hold (an event) | Godan | Details | |
開ける | あける akeru | to open (v.t.) | Ichidan | Details | |
覚える | おぼえる oboeru | to learn, to commit to memory, to remember, to memorize | Ichidan | Details | |
楽しむ | たのしむ tanoshimu | to enjoy | Godan | Details | |
掛ける | かける kakeru | to put on (e.g., glasses); to hang (e.g., on a wall) | Ichidan | Details | |
割れる | われる wareru | to break | Ichidan | Details | |
滑る | すべる suberu | to slide, to slip | Godan | Details | |
噛む | かむ kamu | to bite, to chew | Godan | Details | |
乾く | かわく kawaku | to get dry | Godan | Details | |
慣れる | なれる nareru | to grow accustomed to | Ichidan | Details | |
間に合う | まにあう maniau | to be in time for | Godan | Details | |
間違える | まちがえる machigaeru | to make a mistake | Ichidan | Details | |
頑張る | がんばる ganbaru | to try one's best, to try hard, to persist | Godan | Details | |
喜ぶ | よろこぶ yorokobu | to rejoice, to be delighted, to be glad | Godan | Details | |
寄る | よる yoru | to stop by | Godan | Details | |
帰る | かえる kaeru | to go back, to go home, to return | Godan | Details | |
祈る | いのる inoru | to pray; to wish | Godan | Details | |
起きる | おきる okiru | to get up (e.g., from sleeping); to happen | Ichidan | Details | |
起こす | おこす okosu | to wake (someone) up | Godan | Details | |
休む | やすむ yasumu | to rest, to have a break, to get time off | Godan | Details | |
吸う | すう suu | to breathe in, to suck | Godan | Details | |
急ぐ | いそぐ isogu | to hurry, to be in a hurry, to rush | Godan | Details | |
泣く | なく naku | to cry | Godan | Details | |
居る | いる iru | (humble) to be (animate), to exist | Ichidan | Details | |
教える | おしえる oshieru | to teach, to inform, to instruct | Ichidan | Details | |
驚く | おどろく odoroku | to be surprised, to be astonished | Godan | Details | |
曲る | まがる magaru | to turn, to bend | Godan | Details | |
勤める | つとめる tsutomeru | to work (for) | Ichidan | Details | |
空く | あく aku | to open, to become empty (vacant) | Godan | Details | |
空く | すく suku | to be empty (in reference to people), to be less crowded | Godan | Details | |
経験 | けいけんする keikensuru | experience | Irregular | Details | |
計画 | けいかくする keikakusuru | plan, project, schedule | Irregular | Details | |
迎える | むかえる mukaeru | to welcome; to meet; to greet | Ichidan | Details | |
決まる | きまる kimaru | to be set; fixed (v.i.) | Godan | Details | |
決める | きめる kimeru | to decide (v.t.) | Ichidan | Details | |
建てる | たてる tateru | to build | Ichidan | Details | |
研究 | けんきゅう kenkyuu | study, research, investigation | Irregular | Details | |
見える | みえる mieru | to be visible; -- polite verb meaning 来る (くる) -- | Ichidan | Details | |
見せる | みせる miseru | to show, to display | Ichidan | Details | |
見つかる | みつかる mitsukaru | to be found (v.i.), to be discovered | Godan | Details | |
見つける | みつける mitsukeru | to discover, to find (v.t.) | Ichidan | Details | |
見る | みる miru | to see, to look | Ichidan | Details | |
見物 | けんぶつ kenbutsu | sightseeing | Irregular | Details | |
言う | いう iu | to say | Godan | Details | |
呼ぶ | よぶ yobu | to call (one's name); to invite | Godan | Details | |
故障 | こしょうする koshousuru | breakdown | Irregular | Details | |
光る | ひかる hikaru | to shine, to glitter | Godan | Details | |
向かう | むかう mukau | to face, to go towards | Godan | Details | |
考える | かんがえる kangaeru | to think (about); to consider | Ichidan | Details | |
行う | おこなう okonau | to carry out; to conduct (typically used in written language) | Godan | Details | |
行く | いく; ゆく iku; yuku | to go | Irregular | Details | |
降りる | おりる oriru | to get off | Ichidan | Details | |
降る | ふる furu | to precipitate, to fall (e.g., rain, snow, etc.) | Godan | Details | |
合う | あう au | to fit, to match | Godan | Details | |
込む | こむ komu | to be crowded | Godan | Details | |
困る | こまる komaru | to be bothered, to have difficulty | Godan | Details | |
差し上げる | さしあげる sashiageru | -- humble expression for あげる -- | Ichidan | Details | |
差す | さす sasu | to raise (stretch out) hands, to raise (e.g., umbrella) | Godan | Details | |
座る | すわる suwaru | to sit | Godan | Details | |
済む | すむ sumu | to finish, to end | Godan | Details | |
咲く | さく saku | to bloom | Godan | Details | |
作る | つくる tsukuru | to make, to create | Godan | Details | |
撮る | とる toru | to take (a photo), to make (a film) | Godan | Details | |
参る | まいる mairu | humble expression for 行く and 来る | Irregular | Details | |
残る | のこる nokoru | to remain (v.i.), to be left | Godan | Details | |
伺う | うかがう ukagau | humble form of 行く (いく), 聞く (きく) and 来る (くる) | Irregular | Details | |
使う | つかう tsukau | to use | Godan | Details | |
始まる | はじまる hajimaru | (something) begins | Godan | Details | |
始める | はじめる hajimeru | to start, to begin | Ichidan | Details | |
思い出す | おもいだす omoidasu | to recall, to remember | Godan | Details | |
思う | おもう omou | to think, to feel | Godan | Details | |
止まる | とまる tomaru | to come to a halt | Godan | Details | |
止む | やむ yamu | to cease, to stop | Godan | Details | |
止める | やめる yameru | to end, to stop | Ichidan | Details | |
止める | とめる tomeru | to stop (something) | Ichidan | Details | |
死ぬ | しぬ shinu | to die | Godan | Details | |
似る | にる niru | to resemble, to be similar | Ichidan | Details | |
持つ | もつ motsu | to hold, to carry; to possess | Godan | Details | |
治る | なおる naoru | to get better; to recover from illness (v.i.) | Godan | Details | |
叱る | しかる shikaru | to scold | Godan | Details | |
写す | うつす utsusu | to copy (v.t.); to photograph | Godan | Details | |
捨てる | すてる suteru | throw away (trash), dump, discard | Ichidan | Details | |
謝る | あやまる ayamaru | to apologize | Godan | Details | |
借りる | かりる kariru | to borrow, to owe | Ichidan | Details | |
取り替える | とりかえる torikaeru | to exchange, to replace | Ichidan | Details | |
取る | とる toru | to take (a class); to get (a grade) | Godan | Details | |
手伝う | てつだう tetsudau | to help | Godan | Details | |
受ける | うける ukeru | to take (an examination, interview, etc.); to receive | Ichidan | Details | |
拾う | ひろう hirou | to pick up (something), to find | Godan | Details | |
終る | おわる owaru | to finish, to close | Godan | Details | |
習う | ならう narau | to learn | Godan | Details | |
集まる | あつまる atsumaru | to gather (v.i.), to collect | Godan | Details | |
集める | あつめる atsumeru | to collect, to gather (v.t.), to assemble | Ichidan | Details | |
住む | すむ sumu | to reside, to live in | Godan | Details | |
出かける | でかける dekakeru | to go out; to depart | Ichidan | Details | |
出す | だす dasu | to take (something) out; to hand in (something) | Godan | Details | |
出る | でる deru | to appear, to leave | Ichidan | Details | |
準備 | じゅんびする junbisuru | prepare | Irregular | Details | |
書く | かく kaku | to write | Godan | Details | |
勝つ | かつ katsu | to win | Godan | Details | |
召し上がる | めしあがる meshiagaru | -- honorific form of 食べる (たべる) and 飲む (のむ) -- | Irregular | Details | |
消える | きえる kieru | to vanish, to disappear | Ichidan | Details | |
消す | けす kesu | to erase, to delete, to turn off power | Godan | Details | |
焼く | やく yaku | to bake, to grill | Godan | Details | |
焼ける | やける yakeru | to burn, to be roasted | Ichidan | Details | |
笑う | わらう warau | to laugh, to smile | Godan | Details | |
上がる | あがる agaru | to rise, to go up | Godan | Details | |
上げる | あげる ageru | to raise, to lift | Ichidan | Details | |
乗り換える | のりかえる norikaeru | to transfer (trains), to change (bus, train, etc.) | Ichidan | Details | |
乗る | のる noru | to get on, to ride in, to board | Godan | Details | |
飾る | かざる kazaru | to decorate, to adorn | Godan | Details | |
植える | うえる ueru | to plant | Ichidan | Details | |
触る | さわる sawaru | to touch, to feel | Godan | Details | |
食べる | たべる taberu | to eat | Ichidan | Details | |
寝る | ねる neru | to sleep; to go to sleep; to go to bed | Ichidan | Details | |
寝坊 | ねぼう nebou | sleeping in late | Irregular | Details | |
申し上げる | もうしあげる moushiageru | (humble)to say, to tell | Ichidan | Details | |
申す | もうす mousu | -- extra-modest (humble) expression for 言う (いう) -- | Irregular | Details | |
進む | すすむ susumu | to advance, to proceed | Godan | Details | |
尋ねる | たずねる tazuneru | to inquire (same as 質問する) | Ichidan | Details | |
吹く | ふく fuku | to blow (wind, etc.) | Godan | Details | |
水泳 | すいえい suiei | swimming | Irregular | Details | |
世話 | せわする sewasuru | looking after; to look after | Irregular | Details | |
晴れる | はれる hareru | to be sunny | Ichidan | Details | |
生きる | いきる ikiru | to live | Ichidan | Details | |
生まれる | うまれる umareru | to be born | Ichidan | Details | |
生産 | せいさんする seisansuru | production; to produce | Irregular | Details | |
切る | きる kiru | to cut; to hang up (a phone) | Godan | Details | |
折る | おる oru | to snap, to break; to bend | Godan | Details | |
折れる | おれる oreru | to break, to be folded, to give in; to turn (a corner) | Ichidan | Details | |
洗う | あらう arau | to wash | Godan | Details | |
選ぶ | えらぶ erabu | to choose; to select | Godan | Details | |
掃除 | そうじ (する) souji (suru) | cleaning, sweeping | Irregular | Details | |
痩せる | やせる yaseru | to lose weight | Ichidan | Details | |
走る | はしる hashiru | to run | Godan | Details | |
送る | おくる okuru | to send, to dispatch | Godan | Details | |
騒ぐ | さわぐ sawagu | to make noise, to clamor | Godan | Details | |
増える | ふえる fueru | to increase, to multiply | Ichidan | Details | |
足す | たす tasu | to add (numbers) | Godan | Details | |
足りる | たりる tariru | to be sufficient; to be enough | Ichidan | Details | |
続く | つづく tsuzuku | to be continued | Godan | Details | |
続ける | つづける tsuzukeru | to continue, to keep up | Ichidan | Details | |
太る | ふとる futoru | to gain weight | Godan | Details | |
打つ | うつ utsu | to hit, to strike | Godan | Details | |
待つ | まつ matsu | to wait | Godan | Details | |
貸す | かす kasu | to lend | Godan | Details | |
退院 | たいいんする taiinsuru | leaving hospital | Irregular | Details | |
脱ぐ | ぬぐ nugu | to take off (clothes) | Godan | Details | |
探す | さがす sagasu | to search, to seek, to look for | Godan | Details | |
弾く | ひく hiku | to play (a string instrument or piano) | Godan | Details | |
知らせる | しらせる shiraseru | to notify | Ichidan | Details | |
知る | しる shiru | to know, to understand | Godan | Details | |
置く | おく oku | to put; to lay; to place | Godan | Details | |
致す | いたす itasu | -- extra-modest expression for する -- | Irregular | Details | |
遅れる | おくれる okureru | to (be) become late | Ichidan | Details | |
着く | つく tsuku | to arrive at, to reach | Godan | Details | |
着る | きる kiru | to put on (clothes above your waist); to wear | Ichidan | Details | |
調べる | しらべる shiraberu | to check; to look up; to inquire; to search | Ichidan | Details | |
直す | なおす naosu | to correct (v.t.); to fix | Godan | Details | |
直る | なおる naoru | to be fixed | Godan | Details | |
通う | かよう kayou | to go back and forth; to commute | Godan | Details | |
通る | とおる tooru | to pass (by), to go through | Godan | Details | |
漬ける | つける tsukeru | to soak, to moisten, to pickle | Ichidan | Details | |
釣る | つる tsuru | to fish | Godan | Details | |
締める | しめる shimeru | to tie, to fasten, to tighten | Ichidan | Details | |
貼る | はる haru | to post; to paste; to attach | Godan | Details | |
点く | つく tsuku | to be started, to be switched on | Godan | Details | |
伝える | つたえる tsutaeru | to convey (a message); to tell, to report | Ichidan | Details | |
塗る | ぬる nuru | to paint, to plaster | Godan | Details | |
渡す | わたす watasu | to hand (something) over (v.t.); to get across | Godan | Details | |
渡る | わたる wataru | to cross over, to go across | Godan | Details | |
登る | のぼる noboru | to climb | Godan | Details | |
怒る | おこる okoru | to get angry; to scold angrily | Godan | Details | |
倒れる | たおれる taoreru | to collapse, to break down | Ichidan | Details | |
投げる | なげる nageru | to pitch, to cast away | Ichidan | Details | |
盗む | ぬすむ nusumu | to steal; to rob | Godan | Details | |
答える | こたえる kotaeru | to answer, to reply | Ichidan | Details | |
踏む | ふむ fumu | to step on, to tread on | Godan | Details | |
逃げる | にげる nigeru | to escape, to run away | Ichidan | Details | |
働く | はたらく hataraku | to work | Godan | Details | |
動く | うごく ugoku | to move | Godan | Details | |
読む | よむ yomu | to read | Godan | Details | |
届ける | とどける todokeru | to deliver (v.t.) | Ichidan | Details | |
曇る | くもる kumoru | to become cloudy, to become dim | Godan | Details | |
入る | はいる hairu | to enter, to contain, to hold | Godan | Details | |
入れる | いれる ireru | to put in | Ichidan | Details | |
濡れる | ぬれる nureru | to get wet | Ichidan | Details | |
拝見 | はいけんする haikensuru | (humble) (polite) seeing, look at | Irregular | Details | |
買い物 | かいもの kaimono | shopping | Unknown | Details | |
買う | かう kau | to buy | Godan | Details | |
売る | うる uru | to sell (v.t.) | Godan | Details | |
泊まる | とまる tomaru | to stay (over night) (v.i.) | Godan | Details | |
反対 | はんたい hantai | oppose, opposition, resistance | Irregular | Details | |
比べる | くらべる kuraberu | to compare | Ichidan | Details | |
疲れる | つかれる tsukareru | to get (become) tired; to become fatigued | Ichidan | Details | |
飛ぶ | とぶ tobu | to fly, to hop | Godan | Details | |
負ける | まける makeru | to lose (a game) (v.i.), to be defeated | Ichidan | Details | |
払う | はらう harau | to pay | Godan | Details | |
沸かす | わかす wakasu | to boil | Godan | Details | |
沸く | わく waku | to boil, to grow hot | Godan | Details | |
分かる | わかる wakaru | to understand | Godan | Details | |
聞く | きく kiku | to hear, to listen, to ask | Godan | Details | |
聞こえる | きこえる kikoeru | to be heard, to be audible | Ichidan | Details | |
並ぶ | ならぶ narabu | to line up, to stand in a line (v.i.) | Godan | Details | |
並べる | ならべる naraberu | to put (things) side by side; to line up | Ichidan | Details | |
閉まる | しまる shimaru | to close, to be closed | Godan | Details | |
閉める | しめる shimeru | to close, to shut | Godan | Details | |
別れる | わかれる wakareru | to part from, to separate | Ichidan | Details | |
変える | かえる kaeru | to change, to alter, to vary | Ichidan | Details | |
変わる | かわる kawaru | to change (v.i.), to be transformed, to vary | Godan | Details | |
片付ける | かたづける katazukeru | to (clean) tidy up (v.t.), to put away | Ichidan | Details | |
返す | かえす kaesu | to return something | Godan | Details | |
返事 | へんじ henji | reply, answer | Irregular | Details | |
勉強 | べんきょう (する) benkyou (suru) | study | Irregular | Details | |
捕まえる | つかまえる tsukamaeru | to catch, to arrest | Ichidan | Details | |
歩く | あるく aruku | to walk | Godan | Details | |
暮れる | くれる kureru | to get dark, to come to an end | Ichidan | Details | |
包む | つつむ tsutsumu | to wrap, to cover | Godan | Details | |
褒める | ほめる homeru | to praise; to say nice things | Ichidan | Details | |
訪ねる | たずねる tazuneru | to visit | Ichidan | Details | |
亡くなる | なくなる nakunaru | to pass away | Godan | Details | |
忘れる | わすれる wasureru | to forget | Ichidan | Details | |
磨く | みがく migaku | to brush (teeth); to polish | Godan | Details | |
眠る | ねむる nemuru | to sleep | Godan | Details | |
無くす | なくす nakusu | to lose something | Godan | Details | |
無くなる | なくなる nakunaru | to disappear, to get lost | Godan | Details | |
鳴く | なく naku | to make sound (animal) | Godan | Details | |
鳴る | なる naru | to sound, to ring (v.i.) | Godan | Details | |
戻る | もどる modoru | to return (v.i.); to come back | Godan | Details | |
役に立つ | やくにたつ yakunitatsu | to be helpful, to be useful | Godan | Details | |
輸出 | ゆしゅつする yushutsusuru | export | Irregular | Details | |
輸入 | ゆにゅう yunyuu | import | Irregular | Details | |
遊ぶ | あそぶ asobu | to play; to spend time pleasantly; to hang out | Godan | Details | |
揺れる | ゆれる yureru | to shake, to sway | Ichidan | Details | |
要る | いる iru | to need | Godan | Details | |
踊る | おどる odoru | to dance | Godan | Details | |
浴びる | あびる abiru | to bathe, to shower | Ichidan | Details | |
来る | くる kuru | to come | Irregular | Details | |
頼む | たのむ tanomu | to request, to ask (a favor) | Godan | Details | |
落す | 落とす 落tosu | to drop, to lose | Godan | Details | |
落る | おちる ochiru | to fall, to drop | Ichidan | Details | |
利用 | りよう riyou | use, utilization | Irregular | Details | |
立つ | たつ tatsu | to stand up | Godan | Details | |
立てる | たてる tateru | to stand (something) up, to erect (something) | Ichidan | Details | |
冷える | ひえる hieru | to grow cold, to cool down | Ichidan | Details | |
練習 | れんしゅう (する) renshuu (suru) | (to) practice | Irregular | Details | |
連れる | つれる tsureru | to lead, to take (a person) | Ichidan | Details | |
話す | はなす hanasu | to speak | Godan | Details |