1. What is a transitive verb?

  • First, consider the word "transitivity." It contains the same root word as "transfer," which is no coincidence. A verb that is transitive involves the transfer of energy from one entity to another, namely from a subject to an object.

E.g.

ジェニーがドアを開けた。(Jenny opened the door.)

This is a typical transitive sentence. The subject, Jenny, transfers energy to the door, causing it to open. It involves one entity acting upon another, which explains why the Japanese term for "transitive verb" is 他動詞 — "other verb".

2. What is an intransitive verb?

  • An intransitive verb is the opposite of a transitive one. There is no transfer of energy between a subject and object. Instead, the verb expresses a change in the subject.

E.g.

ドアが開いた。(The door opened.)

In this intransitive sentence, we have no idea how or why the door opened, we just know it happened. The sentence presents "open" as though it happens independently, or by itself. This explains the native Japanese term for intransitive verbs — 自動詞じどうし, or "self verb".
 

Transitive

Intransitive

落とす

to drop

落ちる

to fall

出す

to take out

出る

to come out; to leave

入れる

to insert

入る

to enter

開ける

to open

開く

to be opened

閉める

to close

閉まる

to be closed

つける

to attach

つく

to be attached

消す

to erase

消える

to disappear

抜く

to extract

抜ける

to be extracted

建てる

to build

建つ

to be built

点ける

to turn on

点く

to be turned on

 

👉 Follow TODAI Japanese to learn Japanese better and know more about the latest information!