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VocabularyVerbsJLPT N5

100 Everyday Japanese Verbs (Doushi) with Example Sentences

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17 min read

Japanese verbs (doushi動詞どうし) express activities, actions, and states.

Learn 100 essential Japanese verbs used in everyday conversation. The list has 10 categories, from daily routines to abstract ideas.

Each entry includes kanji and furigana, an English meaning, its verb group, and an example sentence.

100 Japanese Words Series

Explore five core groups: verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and expressions.

Understand the 3 Japanese Verb Groups

Japanese verbs fall into three groups:

  1. Group 1: Godan (五段): These verbs end in sounds such as u, ku, gu, su, tsu, nu, bu, mu, or ru. Their endings shift during conjugation.
  2. Group 2: Ichidan (一段): These verbs often end in eru or iru. Many forms drop ru before adding a new ending.
  3. Group 3: Irregular (不規則): This group contains る (kuru, to come) and する (suru, to do). Both use special forms.

Watch for Exceptions

Some verbs ending in iru/eru belong to Group 1 (Godan), including はいる (enter), はしる (run), る (need), る (know), and かえる (return home).

Understanding verb groups helps you learn the te-form and other basic conjugations.


List of 100 Japanese Verbs

1Morning and Daily Activities

1
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Okiru
Wake up
Example Sentence

Maiasa rokuji ni okimasu.

I wake up at 6 every morning.

2
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Neru
Sleep
Example Sentence

Kinou juuji ni nemashita.

I went to sleep at 10 yesterday.

3
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Abiru
Take a shower
Example Sentence

Maiasa shawaa o abimasu.

I take a shower every morning.

4
Group 1 (Godan)
Arau
Wash
Example Sentence

Kao o araimasu.

I wash my face.

5
Group 1 (Godan)
Migaku
Brush / Polish
Example Sentence

Mainichi ha o migakimasu.

I brush my teeth every day.

6
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Kiru
Put on clothes
Example Sentence

Atarashii shatsu o kimasu.

I put on a new shirt.

7
Group 1 (Godan)
Nugu
Take off clothes
Example Sentence

Koko de kutsu o nuide kudasai.

Please take off your shoes here.

8
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Deru
Leave / Go out
Example Sentence

Ie o demasu.

I leave the house.

9
Group 1 (Godan)
Hairu
Enter
Example Sentence

Heya ni hairimasu.

I enter the room.

10
Group 1 (Godan)
Yasumu
Rest / Take time off
Example Sentence

Nichiyoubi, kaisha o yasumimasu.

I take Sunday off work.

💡 Tip: Kiru (to wear) sounds like る (to cut) in Chapter 2, but the meanings and kanji differ.

2Eating and Drinking

11
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Taberu
Eat
Example Sentence

Issho ni gohan o tabemashou.

Let's eat together.

12
Group 1 (Godan)
Nomu
Drink
Example Sentence

Maiasa koohii o nomimasu.

I drink coffee every morning.

13
Group 1 (Godan)
Tsukuru
Make / Cook
Example Sentence

Haha ga keeki o tsukurimashita.

My mother made a cake.

14
Group 1 (Godan)
Kiru
Cut
Example Sentence

Kami o hanbun ni kirimasu.

I cut the paper in half.

15
Group 1 (Godan)
Yaku
Grill / Bake
Example Sentence

Niku o yakimasu.

I grill meat.

16
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Niru
Simmer / Boil
Example Sentence

Yasai o nimasu.

I simmer vegetables.

17
Group 1 (Godan)
Wakasu
Bring to a boil
Example Sentence

Oyu o wakashimasu.

I boil water.

18
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Mazeru
Mix
Example Sentence

Tamago o yoku mazemasu.

I mix the eggs well.

19
Group 1 (Godan)
Sosogu
Pour
Example Sentence

Gurasu ni mizu o sosogimasu.

I pour water into a glass.

20
Group 1 (Godan)
Kamu
Chew
Example Sentence

Yoku kande tabete kudasai.

Please chew your food well.

3Movement and Transportation

21
Group 1 (Godan)
Iku
Go
Example Sentence

Ashita, gakkou e ikimasu.

I will go to school tomorrow.

22
Grup 3 (Irreguler)
Kuru
Come
Example Sentence

Tomodachi ga ie ni kimasu.

A friend comes to my house.

23
Group 1 (Godan)
Kaeru
Return home
Example Sentence

Goji ni ie ni kaerimasu.

I return home at 5.

24
Group 1 (Godan)
Aruku
Walk
Example Sentence

Eki made arukimasu.

I walk to the station.

25
Group 1 (Godan)
Hashiru
Run
Example Sentence

Kouen o hashirimasu.

I run in the park.

26
Group 1 (Godan)
Noru
Ride
Example Sentence

Basu ni norimasu.

I ride the bus.

27
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Oriru
Get off
Example Sentence

Tsugi no eki de orimasu.

I get off at the next station.

28
Group 1 (Godan)
Magaru
Turn
Example Sentence

Migi e magarimasu.

I turn right.

29
Group 1 (Godan)
Tomaru
Stop
Example Sentence

Koko de tomatte kudasai.

Please stop here.

30
Group 1 (Godan)
Isogu
Hurry
Example Sentence

Jikan ga nai kara, isogimashou.

We have no time, so let's hurry.

⚠️ Note: The te-form of く is 行って (itte), not 行いて (iite).

4Communication and Thought

31
Group 1 (Godan)
Iu
Say
Example Sentence

Mou ichido itte kudasai.

Please say it once more.

32
Group 1 (Godan)
Hanasu
Speak
Example Sentence

Nihongo de hanashimasu.

I speak Japanese.

33
Group 1 (Godan)
Kiku
Listen / Ask
Example Sentence

Sensei ni kikimasu.

I ask the teacher.

34
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Kotaeru
Answer
Example Sentence

Shitsumon ni kotaemasu.

I answer the question.

35
Group 1 (Godan)
Omou
Think
Example Sentence

Ii aidea da to omoimasu.

I think it is a good idea.

36
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Kangaeru
Consider
Example Sentence

Sukoshi kangaesasete kudasai.

Let me think for a moment.

37
Group 1 (Godan)
Wakaru
Understand
Example Sentence

Eigo ga wakarimasu.

I understand English.

38
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Oshieru
Teach / Tell
Example Sentence

Nihongo o oshiemasu.

I teach Japanese.

39
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Oboeru
Remember / Memorize
Example Sentence

Atarashii tango o oboemasu.

I memorize new vocabulary.

40
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Wasureru
Forget
Example Sentence

Shukudai o wasuremashita.

I forgot my homework.

💡 Fact: かる is a Group 1 (Godan) verb even though it describes a state of understanding.

5Work and Office Activities

41
Group 1 (Godan)
Hataraku
Work
Example Sentence

Ginkou de hataraite imasu.

I work at a bank.

42
Group 1 (Godan)
Yomu
Read
Example Sentence

Hon o yomimasu.

I read a book.

43
Group 1 (Godan)
Kaku
Write
Example Sentence

Tegami o kakimasu.

I write a letter.

44
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Shiraberu
Check / Look up
Example Sentence

Jisho de shirabemasu.

I look it up in a dictionary.

45
Group 1 (Godan)
Naosu
Repair / Correct
Example Sentence

Pasokon o naoshimasu.

I repair the computer.

46
Group 1 (Godan)
Tsukau
Use
Example Sentence

Kono pen o tsukatte mo ii desu ka.

May I use this pen?

47
Group 1 (Godan)
Tanomu
Request / Order
Example Sentence

Yamada-san ni shigoto o tanomimasu.

I ask Mr. Yamada to do the work.

48
Group 1 (Godan)
Utsu
Hit / Type
Example Sentence

Pasokon de meeru o uchimasu.

I type an email on the computer.

49
Group 1 (Godan)
Okuru
Send
Example Sentence

Nimotsu o okurimasu.

I send a parcel.

50
Group 1 (Godan)
Morau
Receive
Example Sentence

Tomodachi kara purezento o moraimashita.

I receive a gift from a friend.

🎉 Halfway There! You have studied 50 verbs. Take a short break before continuing.

6Hobbies and Free Time

51
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Miru
Watch / See
Example Sentence

Eiga o mimasu.

I watch a film.

52
Group 1 (Godan)
Asobu
Play
Example Sentence

Kodomo ga kouen de asonde imasu.

A child is playing in the park.

53
Group 1 (Godan)
Utau
Sing
Example Sentence

Karaoke de utaimasu.

I sing at karaoke.

54
Group 1 (Godan)
Odoru
Dance
Example Sentence

Ongaku ni awasete odorimasu.

I dance to the music.

55
Group 1 (Godan)
Oyogu
Swim
Example Sentence

Puuru de oyogimasu.

I swim in the pool.

56
Group 1 (Godan)
Kaku
Draw / Paint
Example Sentence

E o kakimasu.

I draw a picture.

57
Group 1 (Godan)
Noboru
Climb
Example Sentence

Fujisan ni noborimasu.

I climb Mount Fuji.

58
Group 1 (Godan)
Tobu
Fly / Jump
Example Sentence

Tori ga sora o tonde imasu.

A bird is flying in the sky.

59
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Atsumeru
Collect
Example Sentence

Kitte o atsumete imasu.

I collect stamps.

60
Group 1 (Godan)
Toru
Take
Example Sentence

Shashin o torimasu.

I take a photo.

7Shopping and Transactions

61
Group 1 (Godan)
Kau
Buy
Example Sentence

Atarashii fuku o kaimasu.

I buy new clothes.

62
Group 1 (Godan)
Uru
Sell
Example Sentence

Furui kuruma o urimasu.

I sell an old car.

63
Group 1 (Godan)
Harau
Pay
Example Sentence

Kaado de haraimasu.

I pay by card.

64
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Kariru
Borrow
Example Sentence

Toshokan de hon o karimasu.

I borrow a book.

65
Group 1 (Godan)
Kasu
Lend
Example Sentence

Tomodachi ni kasa o kashimashita.

I lend an umbrella.

66
Group 1 (Godan)
Kaesu
Return
Example Sentence

Hon o ashita kaeshimasu.

I will return the book tomorrow.

67
Group 1 (Godan)
Sagasu
Search for
Example Sentence

Kagi o sagashite imasu.

I am looking for my key.

68
Group 1 (Godan)
Erabu
Choose
Example Sentence

Suki na iro o erande kudasai.

Please choose a color.

69
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Ageru
Give
Example Sentence

Imouto ni purezento o agemasu.

I give my younger sister a gift.

70
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Kureru
Give (to me or my family)
Example Sentence

Chichi ga tokei o kuremashita.

My father gave me a watch.

8Household Activities

71
Grup 3 (Irreguler)
Souji suru
Clean
Example Sentence

Heya o souji shimasu.

I clean the room.

72
Grup 3 (Irreguler)
Sentaku suru
Do laundry
Example Sentence

Fuku o sentaku shimasu.

I wash clothes.

73
Group 1 (Godan)
Hosu
Hang out to dry
Example Sentence

Soto ni fuku o hoshimasu.

I hang the clothes outside.

74
Group 1 (Godan)
Tatamu
Fold
Example Sentence

Shatsu o tatamimasu.

I fold a shirt.

75
Group 1 (Godan)
Fuku
Wipe
Example Sentence

Tsukue no ue o fukimasu.

I wipe the top of the desk.

76
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Katazukeru
Tidy up
Example Sentence

Omocha o katazukemasu.

I put away the toys.

77
Group 1 (Godan)
Tetsudau
Help
Example Sentence

Haha no shigoto o tetsudaimasu.

I help my mother with her work.

78
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Suteru
Throw away
Example Sentence

Gomi o sutemasu.

I throw away the rubbish.

79
Group 1 (Godan)
Hirou
Pick up
Example Sentence

Gomi o hiroimasu.

I pick up the rubbish.

80
Group 1 (Godan)
Kesu
Turn off / Erase
Example Sentence

Terebi o keshimasu.

I turn off the TV.

9Feelings and Physical Reactions

81
Group 1 (Godan)
Warau
Laugh / Smile
Example Sentence

Omoshiroi eiga o mite waraimasu.

I laugh while watching a funny film.

82
Group 1 (Godan)
Naku
Cry
Example Sentence

Akachan ga naite imasu.

The baby is crying.

83
Group 1 (Godan)
Okoru
Get angry
Example Sentence

Chichi ga okorimashita.

My father got angry.

84
Group 1 (Godan)
Yorokobu
Rejoice
Example Sentence

Purezento o moratte yorokobimasu.

I am happy to receive a gift.

85
Group 1 (Godan)
Kanashimu
Grieve
Example Sentence

Petto ga shinde kanashimimasu.

I grieve because my pet died.

86
Group 1 (Godan)
Odoroku
Be surprised
Example Sentence

Ookina oto ni odorokimashita.

I was surprised by a loud sound.

87
Group 1 (Godan)
Komaru
Be troubled
Example Sentence

Okane ga nakute komatte imasu.

I am in trouble because I have no money.

88
Group 1 (Godan)
Tanoshimu
Enjoy
Example Sentence

Paatii o tanoshimimasu.

I enjoy the party.

89
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Tsukareru
Get tired
Example Sentence

Takusan shigoto o shite tsukaremashita.

I got tired after working a lot.

90
Group 1 (Godan)
Ochikomu
Feel down
Example Sentence

Tesuto no ten ga warukute ochikomimashita.

I felt down because of a poor test score.

10Other Essential Verbs (States)

91
Group 1 (Godan)
Aru
Exist (inanimate)
Example Sentence

Tsukue no ue ni hon ga arimasu.

There is a book on the desk.

92
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Iru
Exist (animate)
Example Sentence

Heya ni inu ga imasu.

There is a dog in the room.

93
Group 1 (Godan)
Iru
Need
Example Sentence

Biza ga irimasu.

I need a visa.

94
Group 1 (Godan)
Motsu
Carry / Have
Example Sentence

Kaban o motte imasu.

I am carrying a bag.

95
Group 1 (Godan)
Matsu
Wait
Example Sentence

Sukoshi matte kudasai.

Please wait a moment.

96
Group 1 (Godan)
Sumu
Live / Reside
Example Sentence

Toukyou ni sunde imasu.

I live in Tokyo.

97
Group 1 (Godan)
Shiru
Know
Example Sentence

Kare no namae o shitte imasu ka.

Do you know his name?

98
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Shimeru
Close
Example Sentence

Doa o shimemasu.

I close the door.

99
Group 2 (Ichidan)
Akeru
Open
Example Sentence

Mado o akemasu.

I open the window.

100
Group 1 (Godan)
Owaru
Finish / End
Example Sentence

Jugyou ga owarimasu.

The class ends.

⚠️ Watch Out: る (to need) differs from いる (to exist, for living things). る belongs to Group 1 (Godan).


Additional Japanese Verb Guide

Use this guide when you start building sentences and conjugating verbs.

1. Conjugation Summary

GroupDictionary FormMasu (Polite)Te (Connecting)Basic Rule
Godanく (Kaku)きますいてShift the final vowel to the i row + masu. The te-form depends on the final sound.
Ichidanべる (Taberu)べますべてDrop ru, then add masu or te.
Irregularする (Suru)しますしてSpecial forms: suru → shimasu → shite.
る (Kuru)ますSpecial forms: kuru → kimasu → kite.

2. Common Beginner Mistakes

  • Forgetting Group 1 exceptions: かえる and はいる end in eru/iru but are Godan verbs. Their polite forms are kaerimasu and hairimasu.
  • Mixing up aru and iru: Use aru for inanimate things and plants. Use iru for people and animals.
  • Adding を to noun + suru without a reason: 勉強べんきょうする is shorter and more common than 勉強べんきょうをする when 勉強 acts as a compound verb.

3. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs (Ta-doushi and Ji-doushi)

Some Japanese verbs form transitive and intransitive pairs.

Intransitive (Ji-doushi)
The event happens without a direct object. The subject often takes が (ga).
ドアく (The door opens)
Transitive (Ta-doushi)
An agent acts on an object. The object often takes を (o).
ドアける (I open the door)
Intransitive (Ji-doushi)Transitive (Ta-doushi)
ドアく (The door opens)ドアける (I open the door)
ドアまる (The door closes)ドアめる (I close the door)
電気でんきえる (The light goes out)電気でんきす (I turn off the light)

4. What to Study Next

  1. Practice Conjugation: Learn the te-form and negative forms.
  2. Study JLPT N5 Grammar: Use ~たい to express desire and ~ましょう to make invitations.
  3. Expand Your Vocabulary: Continue with 100 Japanese Adjectives.

❓ Questions about Japanese Verbs

How Many Japanese Verb Groups Are There?
Japanese verbs have three main groups: Group 1 (Godan), Group 2 (Ichidan), and Group 3 (Irregular or Fukisoku). The group determines how a verb is conjugated.
What Is a Godan Verb?
Godan (五段) verbs belong to Group 1. Their final sound moves across the a, i, u, e, o vowel rows during conjugation. Endings include u, ku, gu, su, tsu, nu, bu, mu, and some ru verbs.
What Is the Difference Between Verb Pairs Such as Deru and Dasu?
る (deru, to leave) is intransitive: the event has no direct object. す (dasu, to take out) is transitive: an agent acts on an object.
What Is the Te-form?
The te-form is a basic conjugation used to connect actions, arrange events in sequence, and make requests with kudasai.
How Can I Memorize Doushi Vocabulary Faster?
Use the verbs in sentences about your routine. Link actions such as waking up (きる), eating (べる), working (はたらく), and sleeping (る) in a short story.

Conclusion

These 100 verbs help you build sentences about everyday actions and states. Many appear in JLPT N5 and JLPT N4 materials.

Study Tip: Learn one or two categories each week. Write your own variations of the example sentences to reinforce your memory.

Back to the Vocabulary Hub

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