Introduction
In Japanese, some verbs come in pairs: one describes an action done to an object (transitive), and the other describes a state or change that happens naturally (intransitive). Understanding these pairs is essential for expressing actions accurately.
What It Means
- Transitive verbs are used when a person acts on something.
For example:
りくさんが電気をつけました。
(Riku-san ga denki o tsukemashita.)
Riku turned the light on. - Intransitive verbs describe a change that happens naturally, without an actor.
For example:
電気がつきました。
(Denki ga tsukimashita.)
The light came on.
When You Use It
You use transitive verbs when a person does an action to something else (e.g., Riku turns on the light). For intransitive verbs, the action happens on its own without a person doing it (e.g., the light comes on by itself). This means that transitive verbs require both a subject and an object, while intransitive verbs only need a subject (the thing that changes).
Here are some common transitivity pairs:
| Transitive Verb | Meaning | Intransitive Verb | Meaning |
| 開ける (akeru) | Open something | 開く (hiraku) | Something opens |
| 閉める (shimeru) | Close something | 閉まる (shimaru) | Something closes |
| 入れる (ireru) | Put something in | 入る (hairu) | Something goes inside |
| 出す (dasu) | Take something out | 出る (deru) | Something goes out |
| つける (tsukeru) | Turn something on | つく (tsuku) | Something turns on |
| 消す (kesu) | Turn something off | 消える (kieru) | Something turns off |
| 壊す (kowasu) | Break something | 壊れる(kowareru) | Something breaks |
| 汚す (yogosu) | Make something dirty | 汚れる (yogoreru) | Something becomes dirty |
| 落とす (otosu) | Drop something | 落ちる (ochiru) | Something falls |
| 沸かす (wakasu) | Boil water | 沸く (waku) | Water boils |
Examples
- りくさんが窓を開けました。
(Riku-san ga mado o akemashita.)
Riku opened the window.
窓が開きました。
(Mado ga akimashita.)
The window opened. - マリアさんがケーキを落としました。
(Maria-san ga keeki o otoshimashita.)
Maria dropped the cake.
ケーキが落ちました。
(Keeki ga ochimashita.)
The cake fell.
Note
When choosing the correct verb, think about whether the subject performs the action (transitive) or if the state changes on its own (intransitive).
Conclusion
Mastering transitivity pairs is key to improving your Japanese. By learning these verb pairs, you can express actions and states more accurately. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon use them naturally in your conversations!
Recommended Resources
For a deeper understanding of Transitivity Pairs, I recommend “A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar“. It has a helpful section in the Appendixes: Pairs of Intransitive and Transitive Verbs, where you can find comprehensive lists and clear explanations. If you’re looking to strengthen your understanding of transitivity pairs, this book is a valuable resource and highly recommended for learners. Check it out for more detailed insights!
