自 動 詞(じどうし)

じどうし

noun

intransitive verb

1. intransitive verb

A verb that does not take a direct object. In Japanese grammar, intransitive verbs describe actions or states that happen on their own without an agent acting on something.

「開(あ)く」は自動詞(じどうし)です。

"Aku" (to open) is an intransitive verb.

自動詞(じどうし)は目的語(もくてきご)を取(と)らない。

Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object.

日本語(にほんご)では自動詞(じどうし)と他動詞(たどうし)の区別(くべつ)が大切(たいせつ)です。

In Japanese, the distinction between intransitive and transitive verbs is important.

Common patterns

Common pairs (intransitive / transitive):

In a sentence:

Intransitive: ドアが開(あ)く (the door opens — subject marked with が)
Transitive: ドアを開(あ)ける (open the door — object marked with を)

Watch out

Some intransitive verbs of motion take を for the path or the place left: 道(みち)を歩(ある)く (walk along the road), 家(いえ)を出(で)る (leave the house). This を is not a direct object, so the verbs are still 自動詞(じどうし).

Transitive and Intransitive Verb Pairs

general

Added 2026.2.12 8:55 · Revised 2026.10.13 3:24

10500/10977_jidoushi

自動詞(じどうし)

Common patterns

Watch out

Related Articles