# 他動詞 & 自動詞: transitive and intransitive verb pairs

> Learn how to use 他動詞 & 自動詞, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning transitive and intransitive verb pairs, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-tadoushi-jidoushi/

**他動詞 & 自動詞** means **transitive and intransitive verb pairs**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.

This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does **他動詞 & 自動詞** mean and when should you use it?

## What does 他動詞 & 自動詞 mean?

Use **他動詞 & 自動詞** when you want to express **transitive and intransitive verb pairs** in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:
- transitive and intransitive verb pairs
- to express “transitive and intransitive verb pairs” naturally
- the closest natural English meaning in context

## How to form 他動詞 & 自動詞

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Object</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">を</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-core">Transitive Verb</span>
  </div>
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Subject</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">が</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-core">Intransitive Verb</span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- Object + を + transitive verb / subject + が + intransitive verb
- 他動詞 & 自動詞
- related form: 受身形

## When is 他動詞 & 自動詞 used?

Use **他動詞 & 自動詞** in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages

Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples

## 他動詞 & 自動詞 example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">ドアを<ruby>開<rt>あ</rt></ruby>けました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I opened the door.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">transitive</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">ドアが<ruby>開<rt>あ</rt></ruby>きました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">The door opened.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">intransitive</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>電<rt>でん</rt></ruby><ruby>気<rt>き</rt></ruby>を<ruby>消<rt>け</rt></ruby>しました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">I turned off the light.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">transitive</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>電<rt>でん</rt></ruby><ruby>気<rt>き</rt></ruby>が<ruby>消<rt>き</rt></ruby>えました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">The light went off.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">intransitive</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>母<rt>はは</rt></ruby>は<ruby>皿<rt>さら</rt></ruby>を<ruby>割<rt>わ</rt></ruby>りましたが、<ruby>皿<rt>さら</rt></ruby>が<ruby>自<rt>し</rt></ruby><ruby>然<rt>ぜん</rt></ruby>に<ruby>割<rt>わ</rt></ruby>れたように<ruby>見<rt>み</rt></ruby>えました。</div>
    <div class="example-en">My mother broke the plate, but it looked like the plate broke on its own.</div>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">mixed</span></div>
  </div>
</div>

## Nuance of 他動詞 & 自動詞

The key nuance is **transitive and intransitive verb pairs in context**, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because **他動詞 & 自動詞** often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

## 他動詞 & 自動詞 vs 受身形

Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">他動詞 & 自動詞</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Transitive / Intransitive pair</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Focuses on <strong>transitive and intransitive verb pairs</strong>.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg">ドアを<ruby>開<rt>あ</rt></ruby>けました。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">I opened the door.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">受身形</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Passive form</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">May change the tone, evidence, timing, direction, or relationship in the sentence. Compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.</div>
  </div>
</div>

Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: ドアを開けました。 — I opened the door.
- Related pattern with **受身形**: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.

## Common mistakes with 他動詞 & 自動詞

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body">Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context.</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body">Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form.</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body">Confusing <strong>他動詞 & 自動詞</strong> with <strong>受身形</strong> because the English can sound similar.</span></div>
  </div>
</div>

## Is 他動詞 & 自動詞 on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N4</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p>Yes. <strong>他動詞 & 自動詞</strong> is connected to <strong>JLPT N4</strong> grammar in this blog.</p>
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <p>That means learners should be able to:</p>
      <ul>
        <li>recognize it in reading</li>
        <li>understand its nuance in context</li>
        <li>use it in simple original sentences</li>
      </ul>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for 他動詞 & 自動詞

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Write one short sentence using the basic structure.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">production</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">variation</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for 他動詞 & 自動詞

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <span class="step-body">Make one short sentence with <strong>他動詞 & 自動詞</strong> using a transitive verb and を.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <span class="step-body">Rewrite the same idea with the intransitive partner and が to feel the nuance shift.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <span class="step-body">Compare your sentence with <a href="/blog/n4-mama/">まま</a> to see how state and continuity differ.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <span class="step-body">Add <a href="/blog/n4-nagara/">ながら</a> or <a href="/blog/n4-koto-ga-aru/">ことがある</a> to explore how background action or occurrence changes the sentence.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">5</span>
    <span class="step-body">Write one sentence that uses the pair in its most literal meaning, one that changes the subject or time expression, and one that contrasts it with a related pattern.</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [まま](/blog/n4-mama/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization.
- [ながら](/blog/n4-nagara/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization.
- [ことがある](/blog/n4-koto-ga-aru/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization.
- [に気がつく](/blog/n4-ni-ki-ga-tsuku/) — reviews a related way to describe state, continuity, or sentence nominalization.

## Learn 他動詞 & 自動詞 with Hane

If you want to review **他動詞 & 自動詞** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)