Navigating the world of Japanese verbs is a fundamental step for any learner. While the distinction between Godan (Group 1) and Ichidan (Group 2) verbs generally relies on a simple rule—Ichidan verbs end in -iru or -eru, and Godan verbs end in a ‘u’ sound (not -iru or -eru)—there’s a mischievous group that loves to break this pattern. These are the “imposter verbs.”
Imposter verbs are Godan verbs that deceptively end in -iru or -eru, making them look exactly like Ichidan verbs at first glance. However, when you try to conjugate them, you’ll find they behave like true Godan verbs, causing confusion and common errors. This article will shine a light on these tricky verbs, explain why they’re important, and provide a comprehensive list to help you master them.
Understanding imposter verbs
Imagine you’re learning English, and you come across a verb like “read.” You might learn that most verbs form their past tense by adding “-ed” (like “walk” -> “walked”). Then you encounter “read,” which *looks* like it should be “readed” but is actually irregular (“read”). Japanese imposter verbs are similar: they defy the visual pattern.
The key to identifying these imposters is to test their conjugation. The most common and useful test is forming the polite `～ます` (masu) form. For Ichidan verbs, you simply drop the final `る` and add `ます`. For Godan verbs, the final syllable changes to its ‘i’ sound before `ます`.
This simple test immediately reveals an imposter. If you find yourself wanting to drop the `る` but the actual polite form changes the vowel sound, you’ve found an imposter.
Ichidan Example: 食べる (たべる, taberu) – to eat
Drop る: 食べ
Add ます: 食べます (tabemasu) – Correct!
Godan Example: 話す (はなす, hanasu) – to speak
Change す to し: 話し
Add ます: 話します (hanashimasu) – Correct!
Imposter Example: 帰る (かえる, kaeru) – to return
If it were Ichidan, it would be: 帰ます (kaemasu) – **INCORRECT!**
Since it’s Godan, える changes to えり: 帰り
Add ます: 帰ります (kaerimasu) – **CORRECT!**
The Comprehensive List of Imposter Verbs
Below is an extensive list of common and less common imposter verbs. While the first few are the most critical to memorize for beginners, familiarizing yourself with this broader list will prevent future confusion. Remember, all these verbs end in `-iru` or `-eru` but conjugate like Godan verbs.
Commonly Encountered Imposters (High Priority to Memorize)
帰る (かえる) – kaeru (to return home)
入る (はいる) – hairu (to enter)
走る (はしる) – hashiru (to run)
知る (しる) – shiru (to know)
切る (きる) – kiru (to cut)
要る (いる) – iru (to need)
(Crucially different from いる [iru – to exist/be (for animate objects)], which is Ichidan.)
喋る (しゃべる) – shaberu (to chat, to talk)
蹴る (ける) – keru (to kick)
滑る (すべる) – suberu (to slide, to slip)
焦る (あせる) – aseru (to panic, to be in a hurry)
減る (へる) – heru (to decrease, to diminish)
(Contrast with 増える [fueru – to increase], which is Ichidan.)
Less Common, But Still Imposters
照る (てる) – teru (to shine, to glow)
潜る (もぐる) – moguru (to dive, to go underwater)
捻る (ひねる) – hineru (to twist, to turn [a knob])
握る (にぎる) – nigiru (to grasp, to hold in hand, to make [a rice ball])
茂る (しげる) – shigeru (to grow thickly, to be overgrown)
限る (かぎる) – kagiru (to limit, to restrict)
罵る (ののしる) – nonoshiru (to curse, to abuse verbally)
散る (ちる) – chiru (to scatter, to fall [e.g., cherry blossoms])
練る (ねる) – neru (to knead, to refine, to work out [a plan])
交じる (まじる) – majiru (to be mixed, to mingle)
遮る (さえぎる) – saegiru (to interrupt, to obstruct)
Why Are There Imposters? A Glimpse into Linguistic History
The existence of imposter verbs isn’t a deliberate attempt to confuse learners; it’s a fascinating byproduct of historical linguistic changes. In Old Japanese, all verbs conjugated more like modern Godan verbs, with a more complex system of vowel changes. Over centuries, many verbs simplified their conjugation, evolving into what we now call Ichidan verbs.
However, some verbs, despite ending in `-iru` or `-eru`, retained their older, more complex conjugation patterns. These are our imposters. They are relics of an earlier form of the language, and their persistence is a testament to how language evolves, sometimes leaving behind these charming irregularities.
Quick Fact: The verb `居る (いる) – iru` (to exist, for animate objects) is an Ichidan verb, while `要る (いる) – iru` (to need) is a Godan imposter. This is a classic example of how two verbs with the same pronunciation can belong to different conjugation groups, further highlighting the importance of understanding the groups beyond just the dictionary form.
Strategies for Mastering Imposter Verbs
Dealing with imposter verbs requires a slight shift in mindset, but it’s entirely manageable. Here are a few strategies:
- Active Memorization of the Top 10-15: Focus on the most common imposters first. Use flashcards or a spaced repetition system (SRS) like Anki to repeatedly review them.
- Conjugate Them Immediately: Whenever you learn a new verb that ends in `-iru` or `-eru`, don’t just note its dictionary form. Immediately try to form its `～ます` form. If it’s `～ります` or `～べます` (etc.), you’ve found an imposter!
- Context is Key: While the list is important, truly internalizing these verbs comes from seeing and using them in context. Read Japanese sentences, listen to conversations, and pay attention to how native speakers conjugate them.
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