Transitive/Intransitive Verb Pairs
〜他動詞/自動詞
Japanese has paired transitive (action on object) and intransitive (action happens by itself) verbs that must be distinguished.
Pattern
Transitive: Subject は/が Object を Verb | Intransitive: Subject が Verb
Explanation
Japanese verbs come in transitive-intransitive pairs. Transitive verbs (他動詞 tadoushi) take a direct object marked with を — someone does something to something. Intransitive verbs (自動詞 jidoushi) describe something happening on its own, with the subject marked by が.
Common patterns exist: verbs ending in -eru tend to be transitive (開ける akeru, 'to open something'), while those ending in -aru tend to be intransitive (開く aku, 'something opens'). Similarly, -su endings are often transitive (出す dasu, 'to take out') and -ru endings intransitive (出る deru, 'to come out'). However, there are many exceptions.
Choosing the wrong one is a very common mistake. Use transitive verbs when emphasizing who did the action, and intransitive verbs when focusing on the result or state. The te-iru form with intransitive verbs often describes a resulting state: ドアが開いている (the door is open).
Examples
ドアを開けた。
どあをあけた。
doa wo aketa.
I opened the door. (transitive)
ドアが開いた。
どあがあいた。
doa ga aita.
The door opened. (intransitive)
電気を消してください。
でんきをけしてください。
denki wo keshite kudasai.
Please turn off the light. (transitive)
電気が消えた。
でんきがきえた。
denki ga kieta.
The light went off. (intransitive)
Common Mistakes
Wrong
ドアが開けている。
Correct
ドアが開いている。
To describe the state of the door being open, use the intransitive 開く, not the transitive 開ける.
Wrong
窓を割れた。
Correct
窓を割った。/ 窓が割れた。
割れる is intransitive (takes が). To say 'I broke it,' use transitive 割る with を.
Wrong
コップが落とした。
Correct
コップを落とした。/ コップが落ちた。
落とす (transitive) takes を. 落ちる (intransitive) takes が. Don't mix them up.
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