Japanese word

自動詞

Pronunciation

Romajijidōshi

Meaning

  • nounintransitive verb

Example

「寝る」は自動詞です。ne ru wa ji dō shi de su

"Neru" is an intransitive verb.

Illustration for 自動詞 (intransitive verb)

More examples

文の主語が自然に動作を行う場合は、自動詞を使います。bun no shu go ga shi zen ni dō sa o okona u ba ai wa ji dō shi o tsuka i ma su

When the subject naturally performs the action, use an intransitive verb.

Core concept

Refers to a verb that presents an event as happening to or being carried out by the subject without naming a direct object.

Common phrases

  • 自動詞を選ぶji dō shi o era bu

    choose an intransitive verb

  • 自動詞の用法ji dō shi no yō hō

    the usage of an intransitive verb

  • 自動詞と他動詞の違いji dō shi to ta dō shi no chiga i

    the difference between intransitive and transitive verbs

Similar words

他動詞tadōshi: A grammatical term for a verb that takes a direct object.

Definition in Japanese

主語の動作や状態の変化を表し、その動作の直接の対象を必要としない動詞。shu go no dō sa ya jō tai no hen ka o arawa shi so no dō sa no choku setsu no tai shō o hitsu yō to shi na i dō shi

Word origin

The noun 自動詞 (jidōshi, "intransitive verb") combines 自 (ji, "self"), 動 (dō, "move"), and 詞 (shi, "word") in a Sino-Japanese formation.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, pairs such as 開く (aku) and 開ける (akeru) show the contrast between an intransitive verb and a verb that takes a direct object.

Opposites

Related words

  • 自動詞性jidōshiseiintransitivitynoun
  • 自動詞化jidōshikaintransitivizationnoun

Word lists with this word