他動詞 & 自動詞 (tadoushi jidoushi) – Meaning & Usage

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

Object + を + Transitive Verb

Subject + が + Intransitive Verb

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

ドアを開(あ)けました。

I opened the door.

transitive

ドアが開(あ)きました。

The door opened.

intransitive

電(でん)気(き)を消(け)しました。

I turned off the light.

transitive

電(でん)気(き)が消(き)えました。

The light went off.

intransitive

母(はは)は皿(さら)を割(わ)りましたが、皿(さら)が自(し)然(ぜん)に割(わ)れたように見(み)えました。

My mother broke the plate, but it looked like the plate broke on its own.

mixed

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.

他動詞 & 自動詞

Transitive / Intransitive pair

Focuses on transitive and intransitive verb pairs.

ドアを開(あ)けました。

I opened the door.

受身形

Passive form

May change the tone, evidence, timing, direction, or relationship in the sentence. Compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.

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

❌ Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context.

❌ Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form.

❌ Confusing 他動詞 & 自動詞 with 受身形 because the English can sound similar.

Is 他動詞 & 自動詞 on the JLPT?

Yes. 他動詞 & 自動詞 is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.

That means learners should be able to:

recognize it in reading
understand its nuance in context
use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for 他動詞 & 自動詞

1 Write one short sentence using the basic structure. production

2 Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point. variation

3 Compare your sentence with the related pattern above. comparison

Learning path for 他動詞 & 自動詞

1 Make one short sentence with 他動詞 & 自動詞 using a transitive verb and を.

2 Rewrite the same idea with the intransitive partner and が to feel the nuance shift.

3 Compare your sentence with まま to see how state and continuity differ.

4 Add ながら or ことがある to explore how background action or occurrence changes the sentence.

5 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.

まま — as it is; without changing.
ながら — while doing at the same time.
ことがある — there are times when.
に気がつく — notice; become aware.

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:

FAQ about 他動詞 & 自動詞

What does 他動詞 & 自動詞 (tadoushi jidoushi) mean in Japanese?

他動詞 & 自動詞 (tadoushi jidoushi) means “transitive and intransitive verb pairs”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. Use 他動詞 & 自動詞 when you want to express transitive and intransitive verb pairs in a Japanese sentence.

How do you form 他動詞 & 自動詞 (tadoushi jidoushi)?

Object + を + Transitive Verb Subject + が + Intransitive Verb

What is the difference between 他動詞 & 自動詞 and 受身形?

他動詞 & 自動詞: Transitive / Intransitive pair. 受身形: Passive form.

What is an example sentence with 他動詞 & 自動詞 (tadoushi jidoushi)?

ドアを開けました。 — I opened the door.