# Japanese Compound Verbs: How Verbs Are Combined and Common Examples
> Japanese compound verbs combine two verbs to create specific meanings. Understand the construction and common patterns with real examples.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-compound-verbs
**Last Updated:** 2026-03-03
**Tags:** fundamentals, vocabulary, grammar, verbs
---
If you've been [studying Japanese](https://migaku.com/learn-japanese) for a while, you've probably noticed verbs that seem to be made up of two parts stuck together. These are **compound verbs**, and they're everywhere in Japanese. They let you express really specific actions and nuances that would take whole phrases to explain in English. The cool thing is that once you understand how they work, you'll start recognizing patterns all over the place. Let's break down how these verbs are constructed, what they actually mean, and how you can start using them naturally.
---
## What are Japanese compound verbs
> ๐ก Japanese Compoud Verbs ๐ก
A compound verb in Japanese is exactly what it sounds like: **two verbs combined to create a new meaning**. The first verb appears in its stem form (also called the masu-stem, which you get by dropping the from the polite form), and then you attach a second verb directly to it.
Here's a simple example: (tobikomu). This combines (tobu, "to jump") with (komu, "to be crowded" or "to go into"). The result means "to jump into" or "to dive into." You take the stem (tobi) from the first verb and attach directly to it.
The Japanese lexicon contains over **64,776 compound verbs**, and native speakers use **190** of them constantly in everyday conversation. They're not some advanced [grammar](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-sentence-structure) point you can skip. They show up in news articles, casual chat, anime, business emails, and basically everywhere.
---
## Where Japanese compound verbs come from
Compound verbs developed naturally in Japanese as the language evolved. Speakers needed ways to express more specific actions and add nuance to basic verbs. Instead of creating entirely new words from scratch, Japanese took existing verbs and combined them in predictable patterns.
The second verb in these compounds usually adds a specific flavor or direction to the action of the first verb. Over time, certain second verbs became super productive, meaning they could attach to tons of different first verbs to create new meanings. The verb alone appears in about 255 different compound verbs. That's a lot.
Some compound verbs maintain pretty transparent meanings where you can guess what they mean from the two parts. Others have evolved to mean something you wouldn't necessarily predict just by knowing the individual verbs. The meaning can shift and become more specific or even metaphorical over time.
---
## How Japanese compound verbs work
The construction method is straightforward: you need the stem form of your first verb plus a second verb. The stem form is what you get when you remove from the polite present tense.
For example:
- (kakimasu, "write") becomes stem (kaki)
- (yomimasu, "read") becomes stem (yomi)
- (hashirimasu, "run") becomes stem (hashiri)
Then you attach your second verb. If you want to say "write out completely," you'd use (kakikiru), combining the stem of "write" with (kiru, "to cut"). The second verb adds the nuance of completing something thoroughly.
Grammatically, compound verbs function as single units. Even though they're made from two verbs, you conjugate only the second verb. The first verb stays in its stem form no matter what. So conjugates as (tobikonda, past tense), (tobikomanai, negative), and so on. The part never changes.
---
## Common patterns with ่พผใ
The verb is probably the most productive second verb in Japanese compound verbs. It shows up in four main patterns that are worth understanding.
1. **First, there's inward movement.** When combines with movement verbs, it often means moving into something or entering. (hairikomu) means "to go deep into" or "to penetrate," combining (hairu, "to enter") with the inward sense of .
2. **Second, deeper action.** can indicate doing something more deeply or thoroughly. (yomikomu) means "to read thoroughly" or "to read into," suggesting you're really digging into the text.
3. **Third, enriched or intensified action.** Sometimes just makes the action feel more complete or intense. (tsukurikomu) means "to create elaborately" or "to craft with great detail."
4. **Fourth, repetition or accumulation.** can suggest an action that builds up over time. (tsukarekomu) means "to become exhausted" with the sense that fatigue has accumulated.
---
## Continuation and persistence patterns
Another super common pattern involves verbs that express continuation or persistence. The verb (tsuzuku, "to continue") appears as a second verb to show that an action keeps going.
- (furitsuzuku) combines (furu, "to fall" as in rain or snow) with to mean "to keep falling" or "to continue raining." You'd use this in a sentence like (Ame ga mikka-kan furitsuzuita), meaning "It kept raining for three days."
- Similarly, (hashiritsuzukeru) uses the verb (tsuzukeru, the transitive version meaning "to continue something") to mean "to keep running."
These continuation verbs are useful for expressing ongoing actions that persist over time.
---
## Movement versus non-movement compound verbs
You'll find compound verbs split pretty naturally into **movement-based and non-movement** categories. Movement compound verbs usually involve the first verb being something like "run," "jump," "enter," or "exit," and the second verb adds direction or manner.
- (hashiridasu) combines (hashiru, "to run") with (dasu, "to take out" or "to start"). The result means "to start running" or "to break into a run." The second verb adds the nuance of beginning an action suddenly.
- Non-movement compound verbs deal with mental actions, states, or abstract concepts. (kangaekomu) combines (kangaeru, "to think") with to mean "to think deeply" or "to ponder." There's no physical movement, but the compound verb still follows the same construction rules.
---
## Other productive second verbs in Japanese language
Beyond and continuation verbs, several other second verbs appear constantly in the Japanese grammar point of compound verbs.
- (toru, "to take") often adds the sense of doing something completely or taking something in. (uketoru) means "to receive" or "to accept," combining (ukeru, "to receive") with .
- (miru, "to see") can add the meaning of trying something out. (yatte miru) means "to try doing" something. This is technically a grammar pattern rather than a pure compound verb, but it follows similar logic.
- (naosu, "to fix") as a second verb means doing something again or redoing it. (nakinaosu) means "to rewrite" or "to write again."
- (dasu, "to put out") often indicates starting an action or bringing something out. (nakidasu) means "to start crying" or "to burst into tears."
- (ageru, "to raise") can mean completing an action or doing it thoroughly. (tsukuriageru) means "to complete making something" or "to build up."
---
## Why some compound verbs feel tricky
Many Japanese learners get confused because compound verbs can look like other grammar patterns. For instance, (tabete miru, "to try eating") uses the te-form plus , which is a grammar pattern, not a true compound verb. The difference is that real compound verbs use the stem form of the first verb, not the te-form.
Another source of confusion is that some compound verbs have meanings that seem disconnected from their parts. The evolution of meaning over time can make the connection less obvious. You kind of have to accept that language doesn't always follow perfect logic.
Also, not every combination of two verbs will work. You can't just stick any verb stem to any second verb and expect it to make sense. The combinations that exist have developed through actual usage in the language. If you try to create a compound verb that doesn't exist, native speakers will find it weird or incomprehensible.
---
## Nuance and subtle meaning differences
The real power of compound verbs comes from the nuance they add. Japanese speakers use them to express subtle differences that would require whole phrases in English.
Compare (miru, "to see") with (mitsumeru, "to stare at" or "to gaze at"). The addition of changes a simple act of seeing into prolonged, focused looking. That's a pretty specific meaning packed into one verb.
Or take (hanasu, "to speak") versus (hanashiau, "to discuss" or "to talk with each other"). The second verb (au, "to meet") adds the sense of mutual exchange.
These nuances matter in real communication. Using the right compound verb shows you understand the specific nature of the action, not just the general idea.
---
## Real examples in sentences
Seeing compound verbs in actual sentences helps Japanese learners understand how they work in context. Here are some practical examples.
- (Kare wa heya ni tobikonde kita) means "He came jumping into the room." The compound verb expresses the specific action of jumping into a space.
- (Kono hon wo yomikomu hitsuyou ga aru) means "You need to read this book thoroughly." The verb suggests deep, careful reading.
- (Ame ga furidashita) means "It started raining." The compound verb captures the beginning of the rain.
- (Kanojo wa nakitsuzuketa) means "She kept crying." The continuation pattern with emphasizes the ongoing nature of the crying.
---
## How to approach learning compound verbs
The dictionary form of a compound verb appears as one word, and that's how you'll find it in any Japanese dictionary. When you look up , you'll see it listed as a single entry with its own definition, not as two separate verbs.
1. The best approach is to learn the most common second verbs and what they typically **add to the meaning**. Once you know that often means going into or doing something deeply, you can make educated guesses about new compound verbs you encounter.
2. Start **recognizing patterns** rather than memorizing every single compound verb individually. When you see as the second verb, think "starting an action." When you see , think "doing again."
3. You'll also encounter compound verbs that don't follow predictable patterns. Their meanings have evolved to become more **specific or idiomatic**. For these, you just need to learn them as [vocabulary](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/how-to-learn-japanese-vocabulary) items. (mitsukeru) technically combines (miru, "to see") with (tsukeru, "to attach"), but it means "to find" or "to discover." You wouldn't guess that meaning just from the parts.
---
## Finding comprehensive resources
Since there are over 190 common compound verbs in Japanese, having good reference materials helps a lot. Some learners create their own lists organized by the second verb, which makes pattern recognition easier.
1. **Online databases and dictionaries** will show you compound verbs with explanations when you search for the individual verbs. If you look up , many dictionaries will list common compounds that use it.
2. **YouTube channels and language learning sites** often compile lists of essential compound verbs, sometimes focusing on the 100 or 200 most common ones. Starting with high-frequency compound verbs gives you the most practical foundation.
3. The key is to encounter these verbs in context through **reading and listening**. When you see a compound verb in a manga, news article, or TV show, look it up and add it to your study materials. Context makes the meaning stick way better than just memorizing lists.
If you want to see compound verbs in action and build your understanding through real Japanese content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up any word instantly while watching shows or reading articles. Makes learning from native materials way more manageable. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.
---
## Start with the conjugation pattern and common compound verbs
Common patterns involve second verbs like for inward or thorough actions, for continuation, for starting actions, and for redoing things. Learning these patterns helps you recognize and understand new compound verbs when you encounter them. The meaning of compound verbs ranges from transparent combinations where you can guess the meaning to more evolved, idiomatic meanings that you just have to learn from media content, such as articles, shows, movies, etc.
> If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. _Period_.
Study consistently, and knowledge will grow.๐ฅ