する verbs are one of only two verbs in Japanese that do not follow the standard rules of conjugation for
Godan and
Ichidan verbs. The other primary verb being
来(く)る.
する means to do something, or to make something a certain way.
する will almost always have the particle
を attached to the thing that is being done (depending on the form of the verb).
The reason that
する verbs are called さ-column irregular conjugation verbs in Japanese is because the る in
する does not conjugate, but is dropped.
This will leave す to be the part that conjugates. Because of this,
する has qualities of both
る-Verbs (the る being dropped), and
う-Verbs (the remaining す changing, depending on the conjugation). Here are some examples of how
する changes.
(さ)せる,
(し)ます,
(す)る,
(せ)よ
We will learn more about each of these conjugations of
する, and their individual meanings at a later stage. For now, let’s take a look at the polite
します conjugation.
-
電話(でんわ)をします。
To make a call.
-
勉強(べんきょう)をします。
To study.
In a broader sense,
する can be thought of as meaning ‘to do something that has an external effect’.