When a verb is conjugated it adopts a so called "form". Forms change depending on the tense, mode, and suffix of the verb's stem. The stem of the verb is the prefix that is unchanging in the conjugation.
For example in the following infinitive (aka dictionary) forms of these verbs the stem is in bold:
- iku (行く): To go
- taberu (食べる) To eat
Verb conjugates are often grouped into two categories, according to whether the last letter of the stem is a vowel or consonant (when romanized)
- Type I: consonant-stems (五段動詞, godandōshi)(V5), and
- Type II: vowel-stems (一段動詞, ichidandōshi, いる iru,える eru forms)(V1).
For conjugating type I verbs the suffix of the infinitive form is replaced by a different sound according to the original suffix, then a suffix which is consistent by tense is added.
- The infinitive form of a type I verb has an う u sound (u, tsu, ru, ku, gu, nu, bu, mu, su)
- The polite ～ます -masu form has an い i sound (i, chi, ri, ki, gi, ni, bi, mi, shi)
- The negative form has an あ a sound (wa, ta, ra, ka, ga, na, ba, ma, sa)
- The potential form has an え e sound (e, te, re, ke, ge, ne, be, me, se)
- The volitional form has an おう ō sound (ō, tō, rō, kō, gō, nō, bō, mō, sō).
The table below summarizes the conjugations of various type I verbs.
Useful Links:
https://www.wasabi-jpn.com/japanese-grammar/japanese-verbs-u-verbs-and-ru-verbs-and-conjugation/
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