Volume 2 · Chapter 02

Core Verbs

ある, いる, する, 行く, 来る, 見る, 聞く, 言う.

This chapter gives you a tiny verb toolkit. With these verbs, you can say what exists, what you have, what you do, where you go, what you see, what you hear, and what you say.

Japanese verbs do not change for I/you/he/she. can mean “I go,” “you go,” “he goes,” or “we go.” Context tells you who.

This chapter is built for speed: each verb family below gives you dozens of practical sentences.

ある and いる

Both mean “there is” or “exists,” but they split by type.

There is money. / I have money.
There is time.
There is a friend / I have a friend here.
The teacher is here.
There is a seat / a chair is available.
Many people are here.

Rule:

use あります for things, time, money, appointments, and abstract needs.

use います for people and animals.

する: do / make into an action

する is one of the most useful verbs because many nouns become actions with します.

I make a reservation.
I study.
I confirm or check.
I make a payment.
I submit an application.
I exchange (documents).

Movement and place verbs

I go.
I come.
I return / go home.
I enter.
I get off / descend.
I leave / exit.

The destination usually takes に.

I go to Tokyo.
I will come tomorrow.
I leave the station.
I go home.
I go to the fourth floor.
I get off at the platform.

Perception and speech

I see / watch / look.
I listen / ask.
I read.
I speak / talk.
I say.

聞きます is especially useful: it can mean listen or ask, depending on context.

Daily mini script

Commandless survival replacements

If you cannot remember one verb, use one of these stable verbs and still stay understandable:

Worked examples

I have time. / There is time.
There is a friend. / I have a friend here.
I make a reservation.
I will go tomorrow.
I will ask/listen one more time.
I wait here.
I look at this document.
I ask at reception.

Randomized practice

Core Verb Practice

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  1. Meaning

    時間があります。