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
- ドアを開けました。 — I opened the door.
- ドアが開きました。 — The door opened.
- 電気を消しました。 — I turned off the light.
- 電気が消えました。 — The light went off.
- 母は皿を割りましたが、皿が自然に割れたように見えました。 — My mother broke the plate, but it looked like the plate broke on its own.
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:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on transitive and intransitive verb pairs
受身形:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence
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
Watch out for these mistakes:
- 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
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn 他動詞 & 自動詞 with Kanjiru
If you want to review 他動詞 & 自動詞 together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: