Advanced Verbs — Part 1
Verb extensions, auxiliary patterns, double-verb usages, and common compounds for intermediate to advanced Japanese.
Desire Expressions
- Conjugated as an i-adjective (e.g., たくない, たかった).
- Describes only the desire of the speaker.
- For third-person desire, use たがる instead.
自転車に乗りたい。
I want to ride a bicycle.
- Used for third-person desire (not the speaker).
- Conjugated as a u-verb (たがっている for ongoing state).
みんなは帰りたがっている。
Everyone seems to want to go home.
- Indicates unlimited, unrestricted action.
- Attaches to the masu-stem of verbs.
食べ放題
All-you-can-eat.
飲み放題
All-you-can-drink.
言いたい放題
Saying whatever one wants.
- Describes an uncontrolled or neglected state.
荒れ放題
Left to run wild.
Simultaneous Actions
- Requires the same grammatical subject before and after.
- ながらも = のに (even while; although).
音楽を聴きながら勉強する。
Study while listening to music.
- Written/literary equivalent of ながら.
悪いと知りつつやめられない。
I know it is bad but cannot stop.
- Describes an ongoing gradual transformation.
状況は変わりつつある。
The situation is in the process of changing.
Approaching Completion
- Subject is close to ~ing but has not yet completed the action.
死にかけている。
On the verge of dying.
- Exceptions: 出かける (to go out), 話しかける (to speak to someone).
言いかけてやめた。
Was about to say it but stopped.
Possibility & Capability
- Describes possibility or capability of an action occurring.
- ありえない = impossible / there is no way.
- Both える and うる readings are used; うる is more formal.
そんなことはありえない。
There is no way that could happen.
十分ありうることだ。
It is something that could very well happen.
- Polite way to express inability or to decline.
- Implies wanting to comply but being unable to.
お受けしかねます。
I am afraid I cannot accept.
賛成しかねます。
I am unable to agree.
- Implies an undesirable outcome is likely to occur.
事故を起こしかねない。
An accident could very well happen.
失敗しかねない。
There is a real possibility of failure.
Appearance & Volitional
- ように = so that; in order to; like.
- ようにする = make an effort to do ~.
- ようになる = come to ~ (gradual change).
- かのように = as though; as if.
日本語が話せるようになった。
I came to be able to speak Japanese.
まるで夢であるかのように。
As though it were a dream.
忘れないようにメモする。
Take notes so as not to forget.
- Negative volitional: expresses firm negative intention or negative conjecture.
- U-verbs: -U + まい. RU-verbs: dictionary form + まい.
- する → するまい / すまい. くる → くるまい.
二度と来るまい。
I shall never come again.
あの人はもう来ないだろう。= 来るまい。
That person probably will not come.
State & Degree Markers
- どころか = let alone; far from; not only... but.
- どころではない = not the time or place for ~.
忙しくて旅行どころではない。
I am so busy, a trip is out of the question.
- Indicates something left as-is without being dealt with or completed.
ドアを開けっぱなしにする。
Leave the door open (without closing it).
テレビをつけっぱなしで寝た。
Fell asleep with the TV left on.
- Indicates an action happened and the resulting state continues unchanged.
あの人は出ていったきりだ。
That person left and has not come back.
一度会ったきり会っていない。
Met once and have not met since.
Negative Verb Patterns
- Negative adverb equivalent of ないで.
- する → せず（に）.
何も食べずに学校に行った。
Went to school without eating anything.
- Expresses an uncontrollable urge or compulsion.
- する → せずにはいられない.
笑わずにはいられない。
I cannot help but laugh.
彼の話を聞かずにはいられなかった。
I could not help but listen to his story.
Obligation & Attempt
- Volitional form + とする.
- Expresses an attempt or imminent action.
田中さんは何かを言おうとしている。
Tanaka is trying to say something.
- する → せざるをえない.
- Indicates compulsion by circumstances.
行かざるをえない。
I have no choice but to go.
- Indicates a negative cause leading to an undesirable result.
お金がないばかりに買えなかった。
Just because I had no money, I could not buy it.
Common Verb Compounds
Compound Verb Formation
Attach the second verb directly to the -I (masu-stem) of the first verb to form a compound with a combined meaning.
| Compound | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜込む | go into; do thoroughly | 飛び込む (jump in), 思い込む (be convinced) |
| 〜出す | begin to; burst out | 走り出す (start running), 泣き出す (burst into tears) |
| 〜過ぎる | too much; excessively | 食べ過ぎる (eat too much), 飲み過ぎる (drink too much) |
| 〜直す | redo; do again | 書き直す (rewrite), やり直す (redo) |
| 〜続ける | continue doing | 走り続ける (keep running), 働き続ける (keep working) |
| 〜始める | begin doing | 降り始める (start raining), 読み始める (start reading) |
| 〜終わる | finish doing | 食べ終わる (finish eating), 読み終わる (finish reading) |
| 〜切る | completely; to the end | 使い切る (use up), 走り切る (run to the finish) |
Double Verb Usages
TE-form + Auxiliary Verb
The -TE form of the first verb combines with a second verb to add nuance such as trial, preparation, completion, or direction.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -TE + みる | try doing ~ | 食べてみる (try eating) |
| -TE + おく | do ~ in advance / for later | 買っておく (buy in advance) |
| -TE + しまう | end up ~ing; finish completely | 食べてしまう (end up eating all of it) |
| -TE + いく | go on ~ing; continue into the future | 持っていく (take along) |
| -TE + くる | come to ~; have been ~ing | 持ってくる (bring along) |
| -TE + あげる | do ~ for someone (giving up) | 教えてあげる (teach for someone) |
| -TE + もらう | have someone do ~ (receiving) | 手伝ってもらう (have someone help) |
| -TE + くれる | someone does ~ for me | 送ってくれる (send for me) |
Idiomatic Doubles
Repeated & Paired Verb Patterns
Idiomatic expressions using repeated or paired verb forms for emphasis, alternating actions, or habitual patterns.
泣いたり笑ったりする。
Doing things like crying and laughing.
行ったり来たりする。
Going back and forth.
食べては寝て、食べては寝る。
Eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping.
見もせず聞きもしない。
Neither looking nor listening.