Intransitive Verbs / Transitive Verbs

自動詞・じどうし / 他動詞・たどうし

1. Overview

In Japanese, verbs are categorized into intransitive verbs (自動詞, jidōshi) and transitive verbs (他動詞, tadōshi). Intransitive verbs express actions or states that occur by the subject itself, while transitive verbs indicate actions performed by the subject on an object.

2. Structure

Intransitive Verbs:
- Describe actions or states of the subject without a direct object.
Transitive Verbs:
- Describe actions performed by the subject on a direct object, typically having a direct object.画

3. Common Intransitive and Transitive Verbs List

Intransitive Verbs	Transitive Verbs
1. 歩く (あるく) - to walk	1. 歩かせる (あるかせる) - to make (someone) walk
2. 寝る (ねる) - to sleep	2. 寝かせる (ねかせる) - to put (someone) to sleep
3. 落ちる (おちる) - to fall	3. 落とす (おとす) - to drop
4. 開く (あく) - to open	4. 開ける (あける) - to open (something)
5. 消える (きえる) - to disappear	5. 消す (けす) - to turn off (something)
6. 乗る (のる) - to ride	6. 乗せる (のせる) - to give a ride
7. 出る (でる) - to exit	7. 出す (だす) - to take out
8. 増える (ふえる) - to increase	8. 増やす (ふやす) - to increase (something)
9. 汚れる (よごれる) - to get dirty	9. 汚す (よごす) - to make dirty
10. 死ぬ (しぬ) - to die	10. 殺す (ころす) - to kill
11. 減る (へる) - to decrease	11. 減らす (へらす) - to reduce
12. 笑う (わらう) - to laugh	12. 笑わせる (わらわせる) - to make (someone) laugh
13. 閉まる (しまる) - to close	13. 閉める (しめる) - to close (something)
14. 建つ (たつ) - to be built	14. 建てる (たてる) - to build
15. 変わる (かわる) - to change	15. 変える (かえる) - to change (something)
16. 起きる (おきる) - to wake up	16. 起こす (おこす) - to wake (someone) up
17. 知られる (しられる) - to be known	17. 知らせる (しらせる) - to inform
18. 落ち着く (おちつく) - to calm down	18. 落ち着ける (おちつける) - to calm (someone) down
19. 変化する (へんかする) - to change	19. 変化させる (へんかさせる) - to change (something)
20. 終わる (おわる) - to end	20. 終える (おえる) - to finish
21. 開く (ひらく) - to bloom	21. 開ける (あける) - to open (something)
22. 生まれる (うまれる) - to be born	22. 生む (うむ) - to give birth to
23. 現れる (あらわれる) - to appear	23. 現す (あらわす) - to reveal
24. 整う (ととのう) - to be arranged	24. 整える (ととのえる) - to arrange
25. 遅れる (おくれる) - to be late	25. 遅らせる (おくらせる) - to delay
26. できる (できる) - to be able	26. させる (させる) - to make (someone) do
27. 売れる (うれる) - to sell well	27. 売る (うる) - to sell
28. 決まる (きまる) - to be decided	28. 決める (きめる) - to decide
29. 触れる (ふれる) - to touch	29. 触らせる (さわらせる) - to let (someone) touch
30. 曲がる (まがる) - to bend	30. 曲げる (まげる) - to bend (something)

4. Usage Explanation

Connection: Intransitive verbs are usually used to describe the occurrence of states or events, while transitive verbs describe actions being performed.
Translation: Intransitive and transitive verbs are translated based on context, indicating whether an event is occurring or an action is being performed on something.

5. Example Sentences

Intransitive Verbs Examples

花が咲いた。
The flowers bloomed.
雨が降っている。
It is raining.
子供が寝ている。
The child is sleeping.

Transitive Verbs Examples

私は本を読んでいる。
I am reading a book.
彼は友達に手紙を書いた。
He wrote a letter to his friend.
猫が魚を食べた。
The cat ate the fish.

6. Alternative Grammar

In some cases, intransitive and transitive verbs can have similar meanings but different grammatical structures.
- Example: ドアが開く (intransitive) vs. ドアを開ける (transitive)
  The door opens. vs. I open the door.

Causative Verbs: Indicates making someone do something, usually combined with transitive verbs.
- Example: 彼に宿題をさせる。
  I make him do his homework.

8. Notes

Context: Understanding the distinction between intransitive and transitive verbs is crucial for accurate use of Japanese verbs.
Vocabulary Variation: Some verbs can switch between intransitive and transitive forms, often achieved through prefixes or suffixes.

9. Summary

Intransitive and transitive verbs are important categories of verbs in Japanese, and understanding their differences is essential for accurately expressing actions and states. Intransitive verbs emphasize spontaneous behavior of the subject, while transitive verbs emphasize actions applied to others.