Translation guide
The English word "conjugation" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese: verb/adjective inflection patterns, the process of changing forms, and even biological conjugation. This guide focuses on the linguistic meanings most relevant to learners.
Referring to the systematic way verbs and adjectives change form to express tense, politeness, negation, etc.
The standard term for inflection/conjugation of verbs, adjectives, and auxiliary verbs. Used in grammar references and textbooks.
日本語の動詞の活用を覚えるのは大変だ。
It's tough to memorize Japanese verb conjugations.
この動詞は不規則活用です。
This verb has an irregular conjugation.
Specifically refers to a conjugated form (e.g., te-form, masu-form).
「食べて」は「食べる」の活用形の一つです。
"Tabete" is one of the conjugated forms of "taberu."
General word for 'change' or 'transformation'. Can be used for conjugation in a broader sense, but 活用 is more precise.
動詞の変化を表にまとめました。
I summarized the verb changes in a table.
The process of changing a word into a different form.
To conjugate (a word). The causative form of 活用する.
この動詞を過去形に活用させてください。
Please conjugate this verb into the past tense.
To conjugate (intransitive/transitive depending on context). Often used in grammar explanations.
日本語の動詞は規則的に活用します。
Japanese verbs conjugate regularly.
To change (a word form). More general than 活用させる.
単語の形を変化させて文を作る。
Change the form of words to make sentences.
Referring to the traditional classification of verbs into conjugation groups.
Types of conjugation. Often used when discussing verb groups.
動詞の活用の種類には五段活用や一段活用などがあります。
Verb conjugation types include godan (u-verbs) and ichidan (ru-verbs).
Godan (five-row) conjugation, corresponding to u-verbs.
「書く」は五段活用の動詞です。
"Kaku" is a godan (u-verb) conjugation verb.
The temporary union of two organisms for genetic exchange.
Biological conjugation, such as in bacteria or algae.
細菌の接合によって遺伝子が伝達される。
Genes are transferred through bacterial conjugation.
The English word "conjugation" is sometimes mistakenly associated with "conjugal" (marriage-related). In Japanese, 結婚 (けっこん) means marriage, not linguistic conjugation.
In most learning contexts, 活用 (かつよう) is the word you need. 接合 (せつごう) is a technical biology term.
Ichidan (one-row) conjugation, corresponding to ru-verbs.
「食べる」は一段活用の動詞です。
"Taberu" is an ichidan (ru-verb) conjugation verb.