Overview
Japanese verbs frequently come in pairs: one version describes an action that happens by itself (intransitive), and the other describes an action that someone deliberately performs on an object (transitive). Learning to recognize and use these pairs correctly is one of the most important — and most challenging — steps in intermediate Japanese.
| Term | Japanese | Meaning |
| Intransitive | 自動詞 (じどうし) | The action happens on its own |
| Transitive | 他動詞 (たどうし) | Someone acts on an object |
Part 1: The Conceptual Difference
- Intransitive verbs (自動詞) focus on the state of something or the result of an event. The subject changes on its own, or the event happens spontaneously — often without a clear agent.
- Transitive verbs (他動詞) focus on the agent — the person doing the action. There is an intentional action directed at an object.
Compare:
ドアが閉まります。→ The door closes. (Focus on the door — it closes on its own) （私が）ドアを閉めます。→ I close the door. (Focus on the action of closing)
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