noun
lower bigrade conjugation
A classical Japanese verb conjugation class where the stem ends in -e or -u depending on the inflectional form. Used in historical grammar study.
古典文法では、下二段活用の動詞は「受く」「捨つ」などがある。
In classical Japanese grammar, verbs like 受く and 捨つ belong to the lower bigrade conjugation.
Upper bigrade conjugation, where the stem vowel alternates between -i and -u, as opposed to -e and -u in lower bigrade.
Quadrigrade conjugation, the most common classical verb class, with four stem vowels (a, i, u, e).
Modern lower monograde conjugation, which evolved from lower bigrade verbs; stem ends only in -e.
From 下 (lower) + 二段 (two-grade) + 活用 (conjugation), referring to the two stem vowels (e and u) that appear in the lower (e-row) position of the kana chart.