Grow with Kitty

動詞のグループ 1・2・3 (doushi no guruupu 1 2 3) — Verb Groups 1, 2, 3

Before making the te-form, learn to sort verbs into three groups.

Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

Verb G1 〜う/く/す/つ/ぬ/ぶ/む/る (う段)
Verb G2 〜いる/〜える
Verb G3 する ・ 来る

Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

When to use it

From now on, before changing a verb's form (て-form, ない-form…), you first need to know which group it belongs to — like recognizing the root of "खानु/जानु" in Nepali.

Meaning

  • Group 1: the dictionary form ends in an u-sound and the ます-stem ends in い — 飲む→飲みます, 書く→書きます, 買う→買います.
  • Group 2: mostly ends in いる/える and only る drops — 食べる→食べます, 見る→見ます, おきる→おきます.
  • Group 3: just two irregulars — する (do) and 来る (come).

How to attach

  • Quick check: look at the ます-form — an e-sound before ます means Group 2 (食べます, ねます).
  • An i-sound usually means Group 1 (飲みます, 書きます).

Watch out

  • Learn these Group 2 exceptions : 見ます (見る), おきます (おきる), います (いる), 着ます (きる), かります (かりる), あびます (あびる), おります (おりる), できます (できる).
  • The reverse trap: かえる (帰る), はいる (入る), しる (知る) end in いる/える yet are Group 1 — かえります, はいります.

Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

飲む

のむ

to drink — Group 1 (u-verb)

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 飲む ──> it ends in む = an う-sound (not る) ──> Group 1 ✅ ──> ます-form 飲みます.

食べる

たべる

to eat — Group 2 (ru-verb)

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 食べる ──> it ends in べる = an える sound ──> ます-form 食べます (only る dropped) ──> Group 2 ✅.

する

suru

to do — Group 3 (irregular)

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) する ──> it doesn't follow the rules ──> します ──> Group 3 (irregular) ✅; 来る (くる) ──> 来ます (きます) is Group 3 too.

Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

Question: 1/3

Which of these verbs is a Group 2 verb (the iru / eru + る type)?

💡 Hint: A Group 2 verb ends in iru or eru plus る.

Free Japanese tips by email

New lessons, JLPT / JFT-Basic prep, and tools for Nepali speakers — straight to your inbox. No spam.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.

Which JLPT level are you studying? It helps us send you the right tips.

Your level
Email language