Meaning
Japanese verbs are divided into two categories: intransitive verbs and transitive verbs. Intransitive verbs show an action or state without a direct object and cannot take the を particle; they typically use particles like に, へ, が, or と. Transitive verbs show an action performed on an object and require the を particle to mark the direct object. Many verb pairs share the same kanji but differ in whether they are intransitive or transitive.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 自动词 | 主语が 自動詞（不能接"を"，常接"に"、"へ"、"と"、"が"等助词） |
| 他动词 | 主语が 宾语を 他動詞（通常与助词"を"一起使用） |
Examples
-
ドアが開く。
The door opened. (intransitive: ドアが開く) -
学校に行く。
I go to school. (intransitive: 学校に行く) -
友達と会う。
I meet with a friend. (intransitive: 友達と会う) -
ドアを開ける。
I opened the door. (transitive: ドアを開ける) -
ご飯を食べる。
I eat rice. (transitive: ご飯を食べる) -
テレビを見る。
I watch television. (transitive: テレビを見る)
Summary
- Intransitive verbs describe actions or states without a direct object and use particles like に, へ, が, or と instead of を
- Transitive verbs require a direct object marked by を and describe an action performed on someone or something
- Verbs ending in す are always transitive; intransitive verb pairs often end in える or える conjugations, while potential and ability verbs (見える, できる) are typically intransitive