Compound Verb Formation
Compound verbs (複合動詞 - fukugou doushi) are created by combining two verbs to express a single, more specific action. The first verb (in stem form) provides the main action, while the second verb adds nuance about manner, direction, or aspect.
Structure:
Verb 1 (stem) + Verb 2 (conjugated)
Example:
飲み (drink stem) + 始める (begin) = 飲み始める
"begin drinking"
First verb = main action
Second verb = adds meaning
Basic Formation
Using verb stems
Step 1: Get the stem of first verb
食べる → 食べ (tabe)
読む → 読み (yomi)
書く → 書き (kaki)
Step 2: Add second verb
食べ + 始める = 食べ始める "start eating"
読み + 終わる = 読み終わる "finish reading"
書き + 続ける = 書き続ける "continue writing"
Stem formation:
る-verbs: Drop る
う-verbs: Change to い-form
How They Work
Combined meaning
The compound creates a single concept:
飲み始める
Not: "drink" and "begin" separately
But: "begin drinking" as one action
書き終わる
Not: "write" and "finish"
But: "finish writing" as complete idea
Treated as one verb
Conjugates as the second verb
Common Second Verbs
Aspectual verbs
These add information about how/when action occurs:
始める - begin
終わる - finish
続ける - continue
出す - start suddenly
直す - redo
かける - be in the middle of
Directional verbs
These show direction of action:
上がる - go up
下がる - go down
入る - enter
出る - exit
Result verbs
These show completion or result:
切る - completely
抜く - thoroughly
込む - into something
Stem Form Review
る-verbs
食べる → 食べ
見る → 見
寝る → 寝
起きる → 起き
Simply drop る
Easy pattern
う-verbs
飲む → 飲み (nomu → nomi)
読む → 読み (yomu → yomi)
書く → 書き (kaku → kaki)
話す → 話し (hanasu → hanashi)
待つ → 待ち (matsu → machi)
Change to い-form
Same as ます form without ます
Irregular
する → し
来る (くる) → 来 (き)
勉強する → 勉強し
勉強し始める "start studying"
Conjugation
The compound conjugates as the second verb
飲み始める (ru-verb):
Present: 飲み始める
Past: 飲み始めた
Negative: 飲み始めない
Te-form: 飲み始めて
書き続ける (ru-verb):
Present: 書き続ける
Past: 書き続けた
Negative: 書き続けない
Te-form: 書き続けて
Only second verb changes
First verb stays in stem
Transitivity
Follows second verb
If second verb is transitive, compound is transitive:
読み始める (始める is transitive)
本を読み始める "start reading a book"
If second verb is intransitive, compound is intransitive:
降り出す (出す here becomes intransitive)
雨が降り出した "rain started falling"
Second verb determines grammar
Multiple Compounds
Can stack sometimes
Less common but possible:
読み始めている
"be in the state of having started reading"
書き続けていた
"was continuing to write"
Adding ている to compounds
Shows ongoing state
Not All Combinations Work
Natural vs unnatural
Natural:
食べ始める ✓
飲み続ける ✓
書き終わる ✓
Unnatural:
食べ上がる ✗ (doesn't make semantic sense)
飲み入る ✗ (illogical combination)
Must make logical sense
Some combinations established
Others don't exist
Semantic Relationship
First verb must be compatible
The action of verb 1 must be something that can:
- Begin (始める)
- Continue (続ける)
- Finish (終わる)
- Be done excessively (すぎる)
etc.
走り始める ✓ "start running" - running can begin
走り忘れる ✗ "forget to run" - use 走るのを忘れる instead
Writing
Usually written together
一緒に書く:
飲み始める (not 飲み 始める)
食べ続ける (not 食べ 続ける)
Written as one unit
No space between
Single compound verb
Formal vs Casual
Same in both registers
Compound verbs used equally in:
- Casual speech
- Formal speech
- Writing
The formality comes from:
- Conjugation (です/ます vs plain)
- Context
- Other grammar
Not inherently formal or casual
Learning Strategy
Start with common patterns
Most useful second verbs:
始める, 終わる, 続ける, 出す, 直す, すぎる
Learn these combinations first
Understand the pattern
Gradually expand
Focus on natural, common compounds
Don't try to force unnatural ones
Difference from Verb + の + Verb
Compare structures
Compound: 食べ始める
"begin eating" - single unified action
Separate: 食べるのを始める
"begin the eating" - more explicit
Compound = more natural, concise
Separate = more formal, explicit
Both grammatically correct
Common Mistakes
❌ Using dictionary form of first verb
✗ 食べる始める
✓ Using stem form
✓ 食べ始める
❌ Wrong stem form
✗ 飲む始める (should be 飲み)
✓ Correct stem
✓ 飲み始める
❌ Conjugating first verb
✗ 食べた続ける
✓ First verb stays in stem
✓ 食べ続けた
Stem form is key
Only second verb conjugates