Sentence Structure - Japanese Verbs

First, let us DEFINE what a VERB is in Japanese. If we define this category on the basis of meaning (for example, 'a verb is a word representing an action or state of being') we are bound to run into trouble. Instead, it is simpler and more accurate to define the category on the basis of form. Here it is: if it can end in -masu, then it is a verb.

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Next, let us review some of the standard verb forms, with examples:

Dictionary Form (ending in -u/-ru):
This is the way verbs are listed in most dictionaries. Also known as 'direct form' because sentences that end with a verb in this form indicate a comparatively familiar relation between speaker and addressee.

Distal Form (ending in -masu): Indicates a somewhat distant or polite relationship between speaker and addressee.

Gerund Form (-te):

Potential Form (-eru/-rareru):
basically means '[x] can [do something]'
1.
To make the form:

a. with '-u' verbs, substitute '-u' with '-eru' (resulting in a '-ru' ending).

e.g. yomu >> yomeru {I can read.}

b. with '-ru' verbs, substitute '-ru' with '-rareru' (resulting in a '-ru'
ending).

e.g. taberu >> taberareru {I can eat.}
2.
Exceptional forms:

suru >> dekiru

kuru >> korareru
3.
More exceptions: there are some verbs that cannot be transformed:

dekiru (because it already IS in the potential form)

wakaru (because it already has a meaning that is very similar to
the potential: 'I can figure it out.')

aru (because, among other things, the meaning would not come through
very clearly)

aku, kieru, etc. (some intransitive verbs won't work, maybe because the
meaning is unclear)

4.
Informal colloquial contraction: with '-ru' verbs, one can add '-reru'
instead.

taberu >> taberareru >> tabereru {I
can eat it.}
5.

Ending the ending:

食べられる {informal: I can eat it.}

食べられない {informal: I can eat it.}

食べられた {informal: I could eat it.}

食べられなかった {informal: I could not eat it.}

食べられます {slightly formal: I can eat it.}

食べられません {slightly formal: I cannot eat it.}

食べられました {slightly formal: I could eat it.}

食べられませんでした {slightly formal: I could not eat it.}

6.
Particle usage: for transitive verbs, there are three or four basic particle
allocations :

a. The classic presentation (i.e., tending towards the formal and
literary):

私には　新聞が　読めない。　{I cannot read the newspaper.}

b. Occasionally one also sees:

私が　新聞が　読めない。　{I cannot read the newspaper.}

c. Since both of the above (ni/ga; ga/ga) can be considered awkward,
one most often sees:

私は　新聞が　読めない。　{I cannot read the newspaper.}

d. Occasionally one sees the following, which may be gaining acceptance:

私が　新聞を　読めない。　{I cannot read the newspaper.}

私は　新聞を　読めない。　{I cannot read the newspaper.}

e. For verbs that are not transitive, the particles remain as usual.

日本に　行ける。　{I can go to Japan.}

7.
Meanings:

a. The potential has two basic meanings, corresponding to internal
ability, and external opportunity:

およげない {I cannot swim [because I never learned, and I'll drown if I try.]}

およげない {I cannot swim [because Mommy won't allow me to go in alone.]}

b. For most verbs, either meaning is possible, depending on context.

c. For some verbs, alternate forms are used:
　　　　　　見えない {I can't see it [because it is too hazy, too far away, too dark, etc.]}
　　　　　　見られない {I can't see it [because I don't get cable TV, I didn't buy tickets on time, etc.]}
　　　　　　聞こえない {I can't hear it [because it is too far away, too noisy, I'm going deaf, etc.]}
　　　　　　聞けない {I can't hear it [because I lost my radio, etc.]}

8.
Accentation: accented verbs remain accented in their potential form:
unaccented remain unaccented:

a. accented verbs:

MIru (MIta) >> miRAREru (miRAreta)

taBEru (TAbeta) >> taBERAREru (taBERAreta)

NOmu (NOnda) >> NOmeru (NOmeta)

haSHIru (haSHItta) >> haSIREru (haSHIreta)

KAeru (KAetta) >> kaEREru (kaEreta) {= He was able
to return home.}

b. unaccented verbs:

yaMERU (yaMETA) >> yaMERARERU (yaMERARETA)

kiKU (kiITA) >> kiKERU (kiKETA)

kaU (kaTTA) >> kaERU (kaETA) {= He was able to purchase it.}

Provisional Form (-eba/-reba):

Conditional Form (-tara):

Passive Form (-areru/-rareru):

Causitive Form (-aseru/-saseru):

Passive-Causitive Form (-aserareru/-saserareru):

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Here is a list of verbs in the dictionary style, with collocations that are typical of standard usage. Listed as they appear chapter by chapter in Noto, Communicating in Japanese:

I call myself Mertz.
Did you say something?

いう	マーツといいます。	I call myself Mertz.	-
-	?か言っ?？	Did you say something?	なにかいっ?？
?る	専門は?り??ん。	I don't have a major.	?ん?んは?り??ん
わかる	分かり?し?。	I understand (lit., 'understanding happened')	-

This article was used with permission from:
John P. Mertz, Associate Professor of Japanese,
North Carolina State University.
Japanese Language Clinic