In Japanese, verbs are categorized into transitive and intransitive verbs, just like in English. Understanding the difference is crucial for forming correct sentences and expressing actions accurately.

What Are Japanese Transitive Verbs?

A transitive verb (たどうし, tadoushi) is a verb that acts on a direct object. In Japanese, transitive verbs usually indicate that someone actively does something to something or someone.

Pattern:

- [Object] を [Transitive Verb]

- Object + を (wo) particle + verb

Example:

- どあをあける。

- Doa o akeru.

- “I open the door.”

Here, あける (akeru) is a transitive verb, and どあ (door) is the object receiving the action.

Common Japanese Transitive Verbs

Here are some frequently used transitive verbs in Japanese (all in hiragana):

Japanese Verb| Romaji| Meaning| Example Sentence| Translation

あける| akeru| to open| まどをあける。| Mado o akeru.

しめる| shimeru| to close| どあをしめる。| Doa o shimeru.

つける| tsukeru| to turn on| でんきをつける。| Denki o tsukeru.

けす| kesu| to turn off / erase| ひをけす。| Hi o kesu.

つかう| tsukau| to use| ぱそこんをつかう。| Pasokon o tsukau.

Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs in Japanese

Japanese often has pairs of verbs: one transitive and one intransitive. The transitive verb shows an action done by someone, while the intransitive verb shows something happening by itself.

Examples:

- あける (transitive) → どあをあける。 “I open the door.”

- あく (intransitive) → どあがあく。 “The door opens.”

- しめる (transitive) → まどをしめる。 “I close the window.”

- しまる (intransitive) → まどがしまる。 “The window closes.”

Transitive verbs use を, while intransitive verbs usually use が.

Tips for Learning Japanese Transitive Verbs

1. Learn in pairs: Always study the transitive verb with its intransitive counterpart.

2. Pay attention to particles: Use を with transitive verbs.

3. Make example sentences: Practice using daily actions.

4. Listen and repeat: Observe native usage in conversations or media.

FAQs About Japanese Transitive Verbs

Q: What is the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs in Japanese?

A: Transitive verbs indicate actions done to an object (を), while intransitive verbs show actions happening on their own (が).

Q: Should I learn all transitive verbs?

A: Start with the most common ones first — it will help you form sentences more easily.

Q: Why are transitive verbs important in Japanese?

A: They are essential for expressing actions clearly and forming grammatically correct sentences.

Conclusion

Japanese transitive verbs are a cornerstone of grammar, helping learners express actions clearly and interact with objects in sentences. By understanding the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs and practicing common examples, you can significantly improve your Japanese fluency.