Japanese Godan Verbs Free PDF Download

Japanese verbs don’t always play by tidy rules, and godan verbs (also called u‑verbs) can feel like a puzzle if you’re just starting to spot the patterns. Once you nail the five‑vowel shifts, though, a huge chunk of everyday Japanese clicks into place. This list gathers around 200 of the most common godan verbs you’ll actually use-whether you’re chatting about your day, reading manga, or just trying to order ramen without sounding like a textbook.

Every verb here comes with a straightforward meaning and a natural example sentence, so you can see exactly how it behaves in real Japanese. Tap the play button beside any word to hear it spoken aloud, because your ears need practice too. And when you’re ready to study offline, the free PDF download button sits right below the table-no sign‑up, no fuss.

If this topic helped, explore more in our Japanese learning section. it’s the easiest way to keep building related vocabulary without jumping around the web.

Quick Quiz

Think you’ve got a handle on these conjugations? Give the quiz a go and see which godan verbs are already locked in-and which ones could use a little more love.

Browse the Full List

WordTypeMeaningAudio
好むgodanto like; to prefer
始まるGodanto begin
学ぶgodanto learn
届くGodanto reach, to be delivered
履くgodanto put on (lower body); to wear (shoes)
帰るgodanto go home, to return
座るGodanto sit
引くGodanto pull
当たるgodanto be hit; to strike
当てるgodanto hit
待つgodanto wait
得るgodanto be able to ...; can ...
応じるgodanto respond; to satisfy; to accept; to comply with; to apply for
怒るGodan verbto get angry
思うGodan verbto think
急ぐGodanto hurry
恐れるgodanto fear; to be afraid of
悲しむgodanto be sad; to mourn for; to regret
愛するgodanto love
感じるgodanto feel; to sense; to experience
戦うgodanto fight
戻るgodanto return
手伝うgodanto help
打つGodan verbto hit, strike
払うgodanto pay