L3: Verbs (Dictionary Form)

The polite ます-form is your daily-driver verb conjugation — it signals politeness and is what you'll hear constantly.

Verb groups:

• Group 2 (iru/eru-verbs): drop る, add ます → たべる→たべます, みる→みます
• Group 1 (u-verbs): shift final kana to the 'i' row + ます → のむ→のみます, かう→かいます
• Irregulars: する→します, くる→きます (only two!)
• Watch out: a short list of u-verb exceptions LOOK iru/eru but aren't — かえる (to return) → かえります