Translation guide
A guide to conjugating ichidan (一段) verbs that end in "iru" (いる). These verbs follow a simple pattern where the final る is dropped and replaced with the appropriate ending.
Explain the regular conjugation pattern for ichidan verbs ending in いる
For ichidan verbs, the stem is the verb without the final る. To conjugate, remove る and add the appropriate ending. For verbs ending in いる, the stem ends in い.
見る → 見ます
miru → mimasu (to see, polite)
起きる → 起きない
okiru → okinai (to get up, negative)
How to form the polite present/future tense
Drop る and add ます. This is the standard polite form.
食べる → 食べます
taberu → tabemasu (to eat)
着る → 着ます
kiru → kimasu (to wear)
How to form the plain negative
Drop る and add ない. This is the plain negative form.
見る → 見ない
miru → minai (not see)
信じる → 信じない
shinjiru → shinjinai (not believe)
How to form the plain past tense
How to form the te-form for connecting clauses or making requests
How to express ability or possibility
Drop る and add られる. This is the potential form. In casual speech, られる is often shortened to れる (ら抜き言葉), but this is considered informal.
食べる → 食べられる
taberu → taberareru (can eat)
見る → 見られる
miru → mirareru (can see)
In casual speech, the potential form is often shortened by dropping ら. This is called ら抜き言葉. It is common but considered informal.
食べる → 食べれる
taberu → tabereru (can eat, casual)
見る → 見れる
miru → mireru (can see, casual)
How to express intention or invitation
Drop る and add よう. This is the volitional form, used for "let's do" or "I will do".
起きる → 起きよう
okiru → okiyou (let's get up)
見る → 見よう
miru → miyou (let's see)
How to give a direct command
Some verbs ending in いる are godan (五段) verbs, such as 切る (kiru, to cut) and 知る (shiru, to know). These conjugate differently. Always check if a verb is ichidan or godan.
切る → 切ります (godan)
kiru → kirimasu (to cut)
知る → 知ります (godan)
shiru → shirimasu (to know)
Most verbs ending in いる with a kana stem of one character (like 見る, 着る) are ichidan. Verbs with longer stems (like 降りる, 借りる) are also usually ichidan, but there are exceptions. When in doubt, consult a dictionary.