Verbs can have 8 different endings. They fall into 4 categories -
-U, -TSU, -RU
-MU, -NU, -BU
-KU, -GU
-SU
There is only one verb that ends in -NU, (shinu = to die) so that leaves us with 8 endings.
To conjugate a verb, you first strip off the ending. The ending determines what will be added to the "stem" (what's left) of the verb.
-U, -TSU, -RU verbs
The basic endings are: -tte for present/future tense -tta for past tense
Examples:
utau - to sing
uta o utatta.
song (*answers WHO or WHAT*) sung.
motsu - to have
'mo' is the stem
To make it present tense, add -tte
kore o motte.
this (*answers WHO or WHAT*) have
toru - to take
'to' is the stem
To say "took", we would add the past ending, -tta
kore o totta this (*answers WHO or WHAT*) took
-MU, -NU, -BU verbs
The basic endings are:
-nde for present/future tense
-nda for past tense
-MU isn't too popular and there is only one -NU verb.
Example:
erabu - to choose
kore o eranda
this (*answers WHO or WHAT*) chose
-KU, -GU verbs
The basic endings for -KU verbs are:
-ite for present/future tense
-ita for past tense
The basic endings for -GU verbs are:
-ide for present/future tense
-ida for past tense
Examples:
tataku - to hit
boku wa kore o tataita
I (*as for*) this (*answers WHO or WHAT*) hit
In other words, "I hit this".
kasegu - to earn (money)
okane o kaseide
money (*answers WHO or WHAT*) earn
-SU verbs
The basic endings are:
-shite (pronounced 'shTAY') for present/future tense
-shita (pronounced 'shTAH') for past tense
Example:
osu - to push
kuruma o oshita
car (*answers WHO or WHAT*) pushed
There are some verbs that are a bit different, called "Ichidan" verbs. For now, I wouldn't worry about them, for they will be covered in the next week or two. You can do a lot by just knowing how to conjugate most verbs. We will complete the area of verbs very soon.
Useful words to add to your list
Nouns:
kore - this
sore - that
are - that over there
kuruma - car
ame - rain
sora - sky
terebi - T.V.
okane - money
Adjectives:
warui - bad
yoi - good
atsui - hot
samui - cold
Verbs:
utau - to sing
motsu - to have
toru - to take
erabu - to choose
kiku - to listen
kasegu - to earn (money)
tataku - to hit
osu - to push
miru - to see, watch
unten suru - to drive
bakuhatsu suru - to explode
One popular verb - suru
There are countless verbs that take the form xxxx suru.
For instance -
unten suru - to drive
bakuhatsu suru - to explode
The 'suru' verbs are easy to conjugate, because the only thing that changes is the 'suru' part. I suppose if you wanted to be funny you could make your own verbs - just combine any noun with 'suru'. I doubt you'd ever do this unless you were in a silly mood!
Suru will change to:
shite - does, do (pronounced 'shTAY')
shita - did (pronounced 'shTAH')
How do you say you ARE DOING something?
Just add imasu (polite) or iru (plain) at the end of any of the present tense (-TE) forms. (-te, -tte, -nde, -ite)
tabete iru = is eating
erande iru = is choosing
tataite iru = is hitting
mite iru = is looking/watching
unten shite iru = is driving
bakuhatsu shite iru = is exploding
Study Tips
I recommend that everyone pick up:
"Japanese Verbs and Essentials of Grammar" by Rita L. Lampkin
(ISBN 0-8442-8406-8) $7.95
This book changed my life. Well, at least in the area of Japanese language ability ^_^ It's the best grammar book I've ever seen or heard of. I've looked through every book at 2 different Borders, as well as Barnes and Noble. This is truly the best one. I don't own stock in the company, nor am I selling the book. I just think it would do everyone a lot of good! If the book had cost me $150, I'd still say it was worth it.
Other things I recommend: