Prerequisite
Let’s learn what Verb Stem Form is and how it is used in a sentence.
Click here if you don’t know about Japanese verb groups:
- Irregular Verb,
- Ichidan Verb (Group 2, Weak Verb) and
- Godan Verb (Group 1, Strong Verb).
How to change Dictionary Form into Stem Form
Irregular Verb
- する → し
- くる → き
Ichidan Verb
Cut off る at the end of an Ichidan verb.
- たべる → たべ
Godan Verb
Change the last symbol into ‘i’ sound.
- よむ → よみ
- およぐ → およぎ
- きく → きき
Exercise
Can you answer the meaning of the verb and its verb stem form?
The first one has been done for you.
It may be a good idea to learn basic verbs before you start.
- はなす(話す)→ speak, はなし
- いく(行く)→
- のむ(飲む)→
- たべる(食べる)→
- きく(聞く)→
- みる(見る)→
- おきる →
- ねる →
- する →
- べんきょうする(勉強する) →
- いく(行く)→ go, いき
- のむ(飲む)→ drink, のみ
- たべる(食べる)→ eat, たべ
- きく(聞く)→ listen, きき
- みる(見る)→ look/watch/see, み
- おきる → wake up, おき
- ねる → sleep, ね
- する → do/play, し
- べんきょうする(勉強する) → study, べんきょうし

せんせい
You can say many different things using sentence patterns with Verb Stem Form.