Everyday Japanese Verbs: 20 Action Words You’ll Use Constantly

This is a list of 20 of the most used japanese verbs and examples on how to use them

When learning Japanese, mastering common verbs is one of the fastest ways to start forming sentences. These essential action words will help you communicate daily activities, express yourself clearly, and understand basic conversations.

Here are 20 must-know Japanese verbs that beginners will use all the time:

Why Learn These Essential Japanese Verbs?

Verbs are the backbone of any language, and Japanese is no different. Whether you’re talking about eating, sleeping, going places, or doing activities, these words will come up in almost every conversation. Learning these 20 verbs will make it much easier to start speaking and understanding Japanese.

20 Everyday Japanese Verbs You Need to Know

English	Japanese (Kanji)	Japanese (Romaji)
To eat	食べる	taberu
To drink	飲む	nomu
To go	行く	iku
To come	来る	kuru
To see/watch	見る	miru
To listen	聞く	kiku
To speak	話す	hanasu
To read	読む	yomu
To write	書く	kaku
To buy	買う	kau
To sleep	寝る	neru
To wake up	起きる	okiru
To walk	歩く	aruku
To run	走る	hashiru
To wait	待つ	matsu
To meet	会う	au
To enter	入る	hairu
To exit/leave	出る	deru
To use	使う	tsukau
To make	作る	tsukuru

FAQ: Common Questions About Japanese Verbs

How do you say ‘to eat’ in Japanese?

‘To eat’ in Japanese is 食べる (taberu).

What is the Japanese verb for ‘to go’?

The verb for ‘to go’ is 行く (iku)>.

How do you say ‘to drink’ in Japanese?

‘To drink’ is 飲む (nomu) in Japanese.

How do I conjugate Japanese verbs?

Japanese verbs are typically categorized into three groups: ru-verbs, u-verbs, and irregular verbs. Conjugation depends on the verb type and the tense you want to use.

What is the difference between 見る (miru) and 見せる (miseru)?

見る (miru) means ‘to see’ or ‘to watch’, while 見せる (miseru) means ‘to show’.

How can I practice these Japanese verbs?

Practice by using them in sentences, watching Japanese shows with subtitles, or using flashcards to reinforce memorization.

By mastering these 20 essential verbs, you’ll gain confidence in Japanese conversations and improve your fluency. Keep practicing, and soon, speaking Japanese will feel natural!