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
裏切るgodanto betray; to turn traitor to; to double-cross
覚ますgodanto awaken; to arouse from sleep
覚めるgodanto wake; to wake up
触るGodanto touch
言うgodanto say
話すgodanto speak
語るgodanto talk about; to speak of; to tell; to narrate
読むgodanto read
諦めるgodanto give up; to abandon (hope, plans); to resign oneself (to)
謝るGodanto apologize
責めるgodanto condemn; to blame; to criticize; to criticise; to reproach; to accuse
買うgodanto buy
貸すGodanto lend
贈るgodanto give (as a gift); to present
走るgodanto run
起こるgodanto occur; to happen
越すgodanto cross over (e.g. mountain); to go across
踊るgodanto dance
踏むgodanto step on
転ぶgodanto fall down
輝くgodanto shine; to glitter; to sparkle
返すGodanto return (something)
迷うgodanto get lost
追いつくgodanto catch up (with); to draw level; to pull even; to reach
送るgodanto send