他動詞 &自動詞 = たどうし& じどうし ( = tadoushi & jidoushi) Transitive verb & Intransitive verb

「誰がその箱に入れたの？」

= だれがそのはこにいれたの？

= Dare ga sono hako ni ireta no?

= Who put you in the box?

「自分で入ったの。」

= じぶんではいったの。

= Jibun de haitta no.

= I got in by myself.

Hi everyone! Today’s guest teacher is Nao-sensei!

She looks comfy in the box, doesn’t she? 😉

Today’s lesson is on how to use 自動詞 ＆ 他動詞 ( = じどうし＆たどうし = jidoushi & tadoushi), Intransitive verbs & Transitive verbs in Japanese.

First let’s make sure everyone understands the meaning of 自動詞 ＆ 他動詞 ( = じどうし＆たどうし = jidoushi & tadoushi) Intransitive verbs & Transitive verbs.

🔹自動詞（じどうし）jjidoushi = intransitive verb

→a verb that does not take a direct object to complete the meaning of the sentence.

🔹他動詞（たどうし) tadoushi = transitive verb

→a verb that takes a direct object. The action affects someone else/something else.

One of the difference between English and Japanese:

English:

Ex. 1) to open

A: The door opened. (intransitive verb)

B: Someone opened the door.  (transitive verb)

Note: You use the same verb for intransitive and transitive verb.

Ex. 2 ) to start

C: The class started. (intransitive verb)

D: someone started the class. (transitive verb)

Note: You use the same verb for intransitive and transitive verb.

Ex. 3) to grow/ to raise

E: The child grows. (intransitive verb)

F: The parents raised their child.　(transitive verb)

Note: You have two different verbs for intransitive verb and transitive verb

Though there are some Japanese verbs that are both intransitive and transitive – like in English – there are many “pair verbs” for intransitive and transitive forms in Japanese.

Japanese:

Ex. 1)

→A: ドアが開く = ドアがあく = Doa ga aku

→B: ドアを開ける = ドアをあける = Doa wo akeru

Ex. 2 )

→C: クラスが始まる = クラスがはじまる = Kurasu ga hajimaru

→D: クラスを始める = クラスをはじめる = Kurasu wo hajimeru

Ex. 3)
→E: 子供が育つ = こどもがそだつ = kodomo ga sodatsu

→F: 親が子供を育てる = おやがこどもをそだてる = oya ga kodomo wo sodateru.

In this lesson we will focus on these “pair verbs.”

⭐️The basic sentence patterns:

🔸 他動詞 = たどうし = tadoushi = transitive verb

→Someone/Something + は ( = wa) (or が ( = ga))  + something + を ( wo) + transitive verb

🔸自動詞 = じどうし = jidoushi = intransitive verb

→Someone/something + は ( = wa) (or が ( = ga) )  + intransitive verb

Note: When you emphasize the subject (who does/did something) , you use  が ( = ga)

は ( = wa) indicates either a general topic or when you want to emphasize contrast.

A did something but B did something else. (Here we show the contrast between A and B)

OK, Look at the picture below.

There are two ways to describe this picture. Either focusing on Godzilla or the egg. An egg falls or Godzilla drops an egg.

「あっ、卵を落としましたよ。」

=「あっ、たまごをおとしましたよ。」

= Ah, tamago wo otoshimashitayo.

= Hey, you dropped an egg.

When you describe this situation focusing on Godzilla who dropped an egg, you say,

ゴジラは卵を落とす/落とします

= ゴジラはたまごをおとす/おとします

= Gojira wa tamago wo otosu / otoshimasu

= Godzilla drops an egg

→past tense

ゴジラは卵を落とした/落としました

= ゴジラはたまごをおとした/おとしました

= Gojira wa Tamago wo otoshita/otoshimashita

= Godzilla dropped an egg.

The subject is ゴジラ = Gojira = Godzilla

The object is 卵 = たまご = tamago = an egg

を ( = wo) is an object marker

落とす = おとす = otosu = to drop

When the action takes a direct object (in this case 卵 = たまご = tamago = an egg) you use an object marker, を ( = wo) after the direct object and follow it with  他動詞 ( = たどうし = tadoushi ) a transitive verb.

So 落とす = おとす = otosu , to drop, is a transitive verb.

When you describe this picture focusing on the egg, you say

卵が落ちる/落ちました

= たまごがおちる/おちました

= tamago ga ochiru /ochimashita

= an egg falls

→past tense

卵が落ちた/落ちました

= たまごがおちた/おちました

= tamago ga ochita / ochimashita

= An egg fell

落ちる = おちる = ochiru = to fall is an intransitive verb and it doesn’t require a direct object. It falls/fell by itself.

The verb form difference:

So, in this lesson, we’ve looked at four pair-verbs so far.

* 開く& 開ける = あく & あける = aku & akeru

* 始める &  始める = はじまる & はじめる = hajimeru & hajimaru

* 育つ & 育てる =  そだつ  &  そだてる = sodatsu & sodateru

* 落ちる &  落とす = おちる & おとす = ochiru & otosu

They all look similar, and use the same kanji but they are slightly different.

You may wonder how you can learn the pattern. Like Japanese verbs have patterns when you conjugate, u-verb, ru-verb, irregular verbs…

There are certain patterns for converting intransitive verbs into transitive verbs in Japanese. However, the conversion may not always follow a consistent pattern, and there are many exceptions and irregularities. So, I won’t go too deep into explaining all the patterns but I’ll just show you some of the patterns here.

(自) = intransitive verb

(他) = transitive verb

1) -aru → -eru

(自) 変わる = かわる = kawaru = someone/something changes

→ (他) 変える = かえる = kaeru = someone changes something

2) -iru → -osu

(自) 起きる = おきる = okiru = to get up, to wake up

→ (他) 起こす = おこす = okosu = to wake someone up

3) -eru → -asu

(自) 増える = ふえる = fueru = something increases

→(他) 増やす = ふやす = fuyasu = to increase something

(自) 出る = でる = deru = to leave

→(他) 出す = だす = dasu =  to take out

4) -eru → -u

(自) 折れる = おれる = oreru = something breaks

→ (他) 折る = おる = oru = to break something

5) -ru → -seru

(自) 乗る = のる = noru = to ride / to get in a car/ to take a train

→ (他) 乗せる = のせる = noseru = to give someone a ride

6) -waru → -eru

(自) 備わる = そなわる = sonawaru  = to be equipped,

→ (他) 備える = そなえる = sonaeru = to get ready, to equip, to be ready for

7) -reru →-su

(自) 壊れる = こわれる = kowareru = something breaks

→ (他) 壊す = こわす = kowasu = to break something

***

The basic sentence patterns are

👩👨 / Something  + は (or が）+ intransitive verb

= 👩👨 / Something  + wa  (or ga）+ intransitive verb

👩 👨 は (or が）+ something + を  + transitive verb

= 👩 👨 wa (or ga）+ something + wo  + transitive verb

However, verbs don’t always follow these patterns. Native speakers sometimes drop the subject or object if it is obvious between speakers and listeners. Additionally, the particle rules may change depending on the verb or context.

Ex. Someone + は ( = wa) (or が ( = ga))

→could be “someone + も ( = mo) = also, etc.

Ex. something + を ( = wo) → could be “something + も ( = mo) /と ( = to), etc.

So, I will show you how to use intransitive and transitive verbs with example sentences, including  some that don’t follow the basic patterns.

(自) 上がる = あがる = agaru = something goes up/ increases/raises

(他) 上げる = あげる = ageru = to raise something/ increase something/to put something up

Ex. 勉強をしたからテストの点数が上がった。

= べんきょうをしたからテストのてんすうがあがった。

= Benkyou wo shita kara tesuto no tensuu ga agatta.

= I studied, so my test scores improved.

Ex. テストの点数を上げるにはどうしたらいいのだろう。

= テストのてんすうをあげるにはどうしたらいいのだろう。

= Tesuto no tensuu wo ageru niwa doushitara iinodarou.

= What should I do to improve my test scores?

(自) 集まる = あつまる = atsumaru = to gather

(他) 集める = あつめる = atsumeru = to collect

Ex. 駅前に１０時に集まろう。

= えきまえにじゅうじにあつまろう。

= Ekimae ni juuji ni atsumarou.

= Let’s meet in front of the station at 10 o’clock.

Ex. ポケモンカードを集めている。

= ポケモンカードをあつめている。

= Pokemon kaado wo atsumete iru.

= I have been collecting Pokemon cards.　

Note: Subjects are omitted in both sentences.

(自) 起きる = おきる = okiru = to get up, to wake up

(他) 起こす = おこす = okosu =  to wake up someone / to pick up something fallen

Ex. いつも何時に起きるの？ (casual)

= いつもなんじにおきるの？

= Itsumo nanji ni okiru no?

= What time do you usually get up?

Ex. ８時に起こしてくれる？　(casual)

= はちじにおこしてくれる？

= Hachiji ni okoshite kureru?

= Can you wake me up at eight?

Note: You will see/hear this type of sentences often in daily conversation or casual writing. There are hidden subjects and objects.

→(あなた or the listener’s name) はいつも何時に起きるの？

= (あなた or the listener’s name) はいつもなんじにおきるの？

= (anata or the listener’s name) wa itsumo nanji ni okiru no?

→( 私を)８時に起こしてくれる？

= (わたしを）はちじにおこしてくれる？

= (Watashi wo) hachiji ni okoshite kureru?

(自) かかる = kakaru = to be splashed/ to cost / to take (time)

(他) かける = kakeru =  to hang / to put on / to make a phone call / to bet / to take one’s time

Ex. 日本に行くのに20時間以上かかった。

= にほんにいくのににじゅうじかんいじょうかかった。

= nihon ni iku noni nijuujikan ijou kakatta.

= It took me more than 20 hours to get to Japan.

Ex. 20時間以上かけて日本に着いた。

= にじゅうじかんいじょうかけてにほんについた。

= Nijuujikan ijou kakete nihon ni tsuita.

= I spent more than 20 hours to get to Japan.

Note: In this case the hidden subject and object are 時間 ( = じかん = jikan),

time

→日本に行くのに(時間が) ２０時間以上かかった。

= にほんにいくのに（じかんが）にじゅうじかんいじょうかかった。

= Nihon ni iku noni ( jikan ga ) nijuujikan ijou kakatta.

→20時間以上、(時間を)かけて日本に着いた。

= にじゅうじかんいじょう、（じかんを）かけてにほんについた。

= Nijuujikan ijou, (jikan wo) kakete nihon ni tsuita.

(自) 乾く = かわく = kawaku = something dries

(他) 乾かす = かわかす = kawakasu = to dry something

Ex. 明日までに洗濯物が乾くかなあ。

= あしたまでにせんたくものがかわくかなあ。

= Ashita made ni sentaku mono ga kawaku kanaa.

= I wonder if the laundry will dry by tomorrow.

Ex. 洗濯物を外で乾かしておいて。

= せんたくものをそとでかわかしておいて。

= Sentaku mono wo soto de kawakashite oite.

= Can you dry the laundry outside?

Note: this おいて ( = oite) implies leaving the laundry outside to dry and have it done.

(自) 聞こえる = きこえる = kikoeru  = to be heard / to be audible

(他) 聞く = きく = kiku = to listen/hear something

Ex. 1) 隣の部屋から話し声が聞こえる。

= となりのへやからはなしごえがきこえる。

= Tonari no heya kara hanashigoe ga kikoeru.

= I can hear voices coming from the next room.

Ex. 2) 私の話も聞いてくれる？

= わたしのはなしもきいてくれる?

= Watashi no hanashi mo kiite kureru?

= Will you also listen to me (my story)?

Note: Ex. 1) the verb 聞こえる  = きこえる ( = kikoeru) = hear things naturally

uses the same pattern as the potential form of the verb
So you do not say
～を聞こえる = をきこえる = wo kikoeru (wrong)　❌

You say

～が聞こえる = がきこえる = ga kikoeru (right)　⭕️

Ex. 2) In this sentence, we use も ( = mo) instead of を ( = wo) to add the nuance of “also”

(自) 決まる = きまる = kimaru = to be decided / to be settled / to be determined

(他) 決める = きめる = kimeru = to decide / to determine / to settle

Ex. 来年、日本に行くことが決まりました。

= らいねん、にほんにいくことがきまりました。

= Rainen, niho ni iku koto ga kimarimashita.

= Going to Japan next year has been decided.

Ex. 来年、日本に行くことに決めました。

= らいねん、にほんにいくことにきめました。

= Rainen, nihon ni iku koto ni kimemashita.

= I have decided to go to Japan next year.

Note: The particle for the verb 決める = きめる ( = kimeru) can vary depending

on what comes before it.

Note 1)

Verb (dictionary form) ことに決める = Vことにきめる = V koto ni kimeru

Noun を決める = Noun をきめる = Noun wo kimeru

Sentence / verb + と決める = sentence/verb + ときめる = sentence/verb + to

kimeru

Note 2)
The similar verb 決定する = けっていする =  ketteisuru = can be used for both intransitive and transitive verb. (to be decided and to decide)

Ex. 会議の日時が決定した (intransitive verb)

= かいぎのにちじがけっていした。

= Kaigi no nichiji ga ketteishita.

= The date and time of the meeting have been fixed.

Ex. 会議の日時を決定した。(transitive verb)

= かいぎのにちじをけっていした。

= Kaigi no nichiji wo kettei shita.

= We fixed the date and time of the meeting.

(自) こぼれる = koboreru = to overflow / to spill

(他) こぼす = kobosu = to spill / to drop / to scatter

Ex. 水がこぼれちゃった。何か拭くものある？(casual)

= みずがこぼれちゃった。なにかふくものある？

= Mizu ga koborechatta. Nanika fuku mono aru?

= Water got spilled. Do you have something to wipe it with?

Ex. 水をこぼさないように気をつけて。

= みずをこぼさないようにきをつけて。

= Mizu wo kobosanai you ni ki wo tsukete.

= Be careful not to spill the water, okay?

(自) 助かる = たすかる = tasukaru = to be saved

(他) 助ける = たすける = tasukeru = to help someone

Ex. 傘があって助かった。

= かさがあってたすかった。

= Kasa ga atte tasukatta.

= (the literal translation) I was saved by having an umbrella.

= I was lucky to have an umbrella.

One more useful phrase is

助かりました。

= たすかりました。

= tasukarimashita.

= Thank you. (←I was saved.)

You say this when someone really helped you.

You can also say,

Ex. おかげで助かりました。

= おかげでたすかりました。

= Okage de tasukarimashita.

= It’s all thanks to you.

Ex. 困ったときにマギーが助けてくれた。

= こまったときにマギーがたすけてくれた。

= Komatta toki ni Maggie ga tasukete kureta.

= When I was in trouble, Maggie saved me.

Note: The object 私を ( = わたしを =  watashi wo)  is omitted.

Ex.誰か助けて！

= だれかたすけて！

= Dareka tasukete!

= Somebody help me!

Note: The object 私を ( = わたしを =  watashi wo) is omitted.

(自) 届く = とどく = todoku =  to arrive / to reach

(他) 届ける = とどける = todokeru = to deliver / to submit / to notify

Ex. 今日、注文した商品が届きました。

= きょう、ちゅうもんしたしょうひんがとどきました。

= Kyou, chuumon shita shouhin ga todokimashita.

= The item I ordered has arrived today.

Ex. ご注文いただいた商品は、明日、お届けします。

=  ごちゅうもんいただいたしょうひんは、あした、おとどけします。

= Gochuumon itadaita shouhin wa, ashita, otodokeshimasu.

= I will deliver the item you ordered tomorrow.

Note: お届けする = おとどけする ( = otodokesuru) is a polite form of 届けます =とどけます ( = todokemasu)

(自) 治る = なおる = naoru = to be cured / to recover / to heal

(他) 治す = なおす = naosu = to cure / to treat

Ex. 早く、風邪が治るといいね。 (casual)

= はやく、かぜがなおるといいね。

= Hayaku, kaze ga naoru to iine.

= I hope your cold gets better soon

Ex 早く、風邪を治してね。 (casual)

= はやく、かぜをなおしてね。

= Hayaku kaze wo naoshite ne.

= I hope you recoverer from cold soon.

(自) 冷える = ひえる = hieru = to become cold

(他) 冷やす = ひやす = hiyasu = to cool or to chill

Ex. ビールがキンキンに冷えている。

= ビールがキンキンにひえている。

= Biiru ga kinkin ni hiete iru.

= The beer is ice-cold.

Ex. ビールをキンキンに冷やす。

= ビールをキンキンにひやす。

= Biiru wo kinkin ni hiyasu.

= to chill the beer to be ice-cold.

(自) 減る = へる = heru = something decreases / reduces / diminishes

(他) 減らす = へらす = herasu = to reduce / to decrease / to lessen

Ex. 体重が全然、減らないなあ。(casual)

= たいじゅうがぜんぜん、へらないなあ。

= Taijuu ga zenzen, heranai naa.

= My weight isn’t decreasing at all.

Ex. 体重をもっと減らしたい。

= たいじゅうをもっとへらしたい。

= Taijuu wo motto herashitai.

= I want to lose more weight.

(自) 焼ける = やける = yakeru = to be burned / to be roasted

(他) 焼く = やく = yaku = to bake / to roast

Ex. 1: 肉が焼けましたよ。

= にくがやけましたよ。

= Niku ga yakemashita yo.

= The meat is cooked.

Ex. 2: 豚肉は、よく焼いてください。

= ぶたにくはよくやいてください。

= Butaniku wa yoku yaite kudasai.

= Please cook the pork well.

Note: Ex. 2. You can use は ( =wa) instead of を ( = wo)  to indicate a contrast or a specific focus. In this case, it suggests that while cooking beef may not require the same level of thoroughness, the speaker is specifically emphasizing the need to cook pork well.

(自) 沸く = わく = waku = something boils

(他) 沸かす = わかす = wakasu = to boil something

Ex. お風呂が沸きました。

= おふろがわきました。

= Ofuro ga wakimashita.

=The bath is ready (the water has boiled).

Note: Have you ever heard the voice of the automated bathing systems in Japan? When the bath is ready, it announces “お風呂が沸きました。= おふろがわきました。( = ofuro ga wakimashita) , the bath is ready.

Ex. これからお風呂を沸かします。

= これからおふろをわかします。

= Korekara ofuro wo wakashimasu.

= I will now heat up the bath.

(自) 割れる = われる = wareru = something breaks / cracks

(他) 割る = わる = waru = to break / to divide / to split

Ex. 誕生日に彼女からもらったコーヒーカップが割れてしまった。

= たんじょうびにかのじょからもらったコーヒーカップがわれてしまった。

= Tanjoubi ni kanojo kara moratta koohii kappu ga wareteshimatta.

= The coffee cup that I received from my girlfriend on my birthday broke

Ex. 誕生日に彼女からもらったコーヒーカップを割ってしまった。

= たんじょうびにかのじょからもらったコーヒーカップをわってしまった。

= Tanjoubi ni kanojo kara moratta koohii kappu wo watteshimatta.

= I accidentally broke the coffee cup that I received from my girlfriend on my birthday.

Note: Adding “しまった” (shimatta) in the Japanese sentences indicates a sense of regret or expressing regretful feelings.

Check my ちゃう ( = chau) & ちゃった( = chatta) lesson.

Link → Click here 

Note:

1) Motion verbs:

These verbs describe actions of movement or motion.

Ex. 家を出る = いえをでる = ie wo deru = to leave the/one’s house

Ex. 橋を渡る = はしをわたる = hashi wo wataru = to cross the bridge

Ex. 公園を歩く = こうえんをあるく = kouen wo aruku = to walk in the park

Ex. 校庭を走る = こうていをはしる = koutei wo hashiru = to run in the school yard.

Ex. 角を曲がる = かどをまがる = kado wo magaru = to turn a corner

Although they are followed by を (wo), which might make you think they are transitive verbs, they are actually intransitive verbs. The English translation will use a preposition like “in“, “at” “or “on” to indicate the location of the action.

2) There are verbs that are used exclusively as intransitive verbs

泳ぐ =およぐ = oyogu = to swim

行く =いく = iku = to go

歩く = あるく = aruku = to walk

泣く = なく = naku = to cry

働く = はたらく = hataraku = to work, etc

or exclusively as transitive verbs

食べる = たべる = taberu = to eat

飲む = のむ = nomu = to drink

読む = よむ = yomu = to read

買う = かう = kau = to buy, etc.

3) Some verbs can be used for intransitive verb or transitive verb.

For example

終わる = おわる = owaru is an intransitive verb but it can be used as a transitive verb.

Ex. 先生：これでクラスを終わります。

= せんせい: これでクラスをおわります。

= Sensei: Kore de kurasu wo owarimasu.

= Teacher: (The literal meaning) I will finish the class here.→That’s all for today’s lesson.

Ex. 生徒：やっとクラスが終わった。

= せいと: やっとクラスがおわった。

= Seito: yatto kurasu ga owatta.

= Student: (The literal meaning) The class finally finished. →The class is finally over.

Note: 終える = おえる = oeru is a transitive verb = to finish / to complete something

Related Lesson:

The difference between 開く( = ひらく・あく ) & 開ける ( = ひらける・あける )

= hiraku・aku & hirakeru・akeru

Link:  Click here

出る vs 出す= でる  vs だす = Deru vs Dasu

Link: Click here

****

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

なお先生、ありがとう!

= なおせんせい、ありがとう！

= Nao sensei, arigatou!

= Thank you, Nao-Sensei!

私もその箱に入ってもいい?

= わたしもそのはこにはいってもいい?

= Watashi mo sono hakou ni haittemo ii?

= Can I get in the box, too?

***

My Patrons can access the audio file

Audio Files for this lesson →Click here

PDF file without ads →Click here

 Intransitive/ Transitive Verb list →Click here

I REALLY appreciate your support!  サポートありがとう！ !

My supporters can access tons of audio files, PDF files, and special lessons on my Patreon page.

 

❤️ありがとう x 2:  Mini lessons, Audio files for all the lessons here from 2018,

❤️ありがとう x 5  In addition to the previous benefit + Daily Japanese 

Check the index of Daily Japanese Series →Index 

❤️ありがとう x 10 In addition to the previous benefit + PDF file of all my Twitter lessons for a month (average 10 ~ 18 pages)  with an audio file. Please check the details  here

Become a Patron!

 

One time support ↓ 　ありがとう！