開く・
An intransitive verb presents something changing, moving, or existing as the subject. A transitive verb presents an actor acting directly on an object.
What changes between the two frames
The two sentences may describe closely related events, but they organize the event differently. In 窓が開いた, the window and its change are central. In 私は窓を開けた, the sentence presents a person acting on the window.
Opening
Notice the combination of the verb and its particle frame, not just the English translation.
Rising and raising
Falling and dropping
Common lexical pairs
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| Intransitive verb | Transitive verb | Typical contrast |
|---|---|---|
| 開く | 開ける | ドアが開く / ドアを開ける |
| 上がる | 上げる | 温度が上がる / 温度を上げる |
| 落ちる | 落とす | 本が落ちる / 本を落とす |
| 消える | 消す | 電気が消える / 電気を消す |
These ending correspondences are useful memory aids, not rules for creating one verb from the other. Learn each pair as vocabulary together with its particles.
When the same verb allows both frames
Some verbs, especially certain verbs ending in する, can appear with either frame. The construction tells you how the verb is being used.
Not the same as a passive
An intransitive verb is its own vocabulary item. In 窓が開いた, no actor is built into the verb. By contrast, the passive below is formed from the transitive verb 開ける and can name the actor with に.
窓が係員に開けられた。
The window was opened by a staff member.
AnalyzeMore examples
ドアが静かに閉まりました。
The door closed quietly.
Analyze店員がドアを閉めました。
The clerk closed the door.
Analyzeお湯が沸きました。
The water has boiled.
Analyze母がお湯を沸かしました。
My mother boiled some water.
Analyze会議は九時に始まります。
The meeting begins at nine.
Analyze部長が会議を始めました。
The department head started the meeting.
Analyze店の前に車が止まった。
A car stopped in front of the store.
Analyze運転手が店の前に車を止めた。
The driver stopped the car in front of the store.
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