Verb Types

Japanese generally has 2 types of verbs, Transitive (action verbs) and Intransitive (state) verbs. This is hard to understand in English, as we use the same verbs for both situations, so let’s take a look.

Transitive

This category of verbs is the easiest to understand, because they are action verbs as we think of them in English. They are performed by one thing and act on something else. These verbs can be defined as “to action”
These verbs typically use を

Verb Examples

• あける – to open
• なぐる – to punch
• たべる – to eat

Examples

• ドアを開ける – Open the door
• ご飯をたべる – Eat food.
• 映画をみる – Watch a movie
• 日本語を話す – Speak Japanese. 

Intransitive

Intransitive verbs are better described as states. They are “performed” and “act upon” the same thing. These verbs will typically read as “is open” , “opens“,  or “is opened“

These verbs typically use が

Verb Examples

• あく – Open (state) 
• しまる – Closed (state)
• おわる – Finish (state).
• 行く – Go (You go, you don’t go something). 

Examples

• ドアがあく – The door opens (by itself)
• 試合がおわる – The match ends (by itself)
• ドアが閉まっている – The door is closed. 
• 学校に行く – Go to school. (Go is done to and by the same subject)

Comparison

• ドアをあける － To open the door
• ドアがあく – The door opens
• ドアをあけている – Someone is opening the door. 
• ドアがあいている – The door is open

Common Verbs Chart