Group 1 Verbs

Group 1 Verbs are probably the most common with Group 2 coming in a close second. The first thing we need to do is learn how to identify them. If you can’t recognize a “Group 1 Verb” you can’t convert it to dictionary from. There’s one simple rule that will make this pretty easy, and it’s reliant on you knowing the verb in ます form, which I (think) you already know.

1. Take the verb (let’s say it’s いきます)
2. Make it stem form by dropping the ます (so, いきます becomes いき)
3. Is the last kana an “い” sound (like き, し, み, ち, etc)? If so, this is a Group 1 Verb.

Take a look at the following words. Are they Group 1 or not Group 1? Just follow the steps above to figure it out.

audioしります

audioたべます

audioあつめます

audioはいります

audioたのみます

audioつきます

audioすすみます

audioきこえます

audioつながります

audioのみます

P.S.

So, hopefully identifying these verbs isn’t too much of a problem. Now we have to look at changing these “Group 1 Verbs” over to dictionary form. The dictionary form of verbs is considered “casual” and “conversational” compared to ます form, which is pretty neutral / formal. Once you know the dictionary form of a verb, it’s as simple as switching the ます form out with the dictionary form in order to make it more casual and conversational sounding. Let’s do that.

At this point, we know that all Group 1 Verbs end with an い sound (when in stem form). Now, we’re going to take that い sound and change it to be an う sound (still in stem form, here). Let’s take a look at some examples.

Let’s say we have いきます. You’ll want to bring it down to stem form:

いき

Now, take the kana on the end (in this case it’s き) and make it into an “う sound” (by this, I don’t mean switch it to う, necessarily… I mean switch it to an “う sound” … the う sound in the same column as the い sound).

き → く　… therefor …　いき　→　いく

The dictionary form version of いきます is いく.

Let’s do a couple more examples, and then you’ll be converting these on your own.

しります = ます form of the verb

しり = Stem Form. The “い sound” on the end changes to an “う sound”

しる = Dictionary Form

One more, this time less explanation. Make sure you can follow along:

のみます

のみ

のむ

See how that’s done? It’s a few steps, and you’ll probably have to take each individual step while you’re getting used to this, but eventually it’ll be automatic when the rules have become ingrained into your mind. Speaking of which… you should practice doing this. Write down the steps somewhere so you have them handy (in case you forget what you’re doing, not to cheat off of, right?). Here’s a worksheet with some practice!

Group 1 Verbs Practice PDF

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