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
通うgodanto commute
通るgodanto pass through
進むGodanto advance
進めるgodanto advance; to move forward; to put (a clock, watch) forward
遊ぶgodanto play
運ぶgodanto carry
過ごすgodanto pass (time); to spend
違うgodanto be different, to be wrong
選ぶgodanto choose
避けるgodanto avoid (physical contact with)
閉まるGodanto close (intransitive)
開くGodan verbto open
関するgodanto concern; to be related
降るGodan verbto fall (rain)
限るgodanto restrict; to limit; to confine
隠すgodanto hide; to conceal
隠れるgodanto hide; to be hidden; to conceal oneself; to disappear
預けるgodanto leave (in someone's keeping); to put (in someone's care); to place (in someone's custody); to entrust (someone) with; to deposit
頑張るgodanto work hard, to do one's best
頼むGodanto request
飛ぶgodanto fly
飲むGodan verbto drink
飽きるgodanto get tired of; to lose interest in; to be fed up with; to have enough
飾るgodan verbto decorate
騒ぐgodan verbto make noise