Japanese verbs are grouped because they change in similar ways. At N5, you learn three groups: う-verbs, る-verbs, and irregular verbs. Knowing the group helps you make ます forms, て forms, and negatives correctly. Key points: • う-verbs end in a u-sound: 書く, 話す, 待つ • る-verbs end in る and usually have an i/e sound before it: 食べる, 見る, 起きる • Irregular verbs are する and 来る (くる) • Some る-verbs are actually う-verbs, so memorize common ones For example, 食べる (to eat) is a る-verb, and 書く (to write) is a う-verb. The polite ます form is made differently for each group. A good beginner habit is to learn verbs with their group. Many textbooks list the group next to the verb. Over time, you will naturally recognize patterns: verbs like 見る and 寝る are usually る-verbs, while verbs like 帰る and 入る are う-verbs even though they end in る. Don’t worry if this feels confusing at first. Focus on a small set of common verbs and learn their ます forms. As you see them again and again, the group patterns will become clearer.