JLPT N4 grammar
他動詞 (transitive) — Meaning & Examples
Someone acts on the thing; takes を. ドアを開ける = I open the door. Verbs ending in -す are almost always transitive.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 他動詞 (transitive). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which particle normally marks the object of a 他動詞 (transitive verb)?
- が
- で
- に
- を
Show answer
Answer: を
他動詞 take を: ドアを開ける = I open the door. 自動詞 take が: ドアが開く = the door opens.
2. "The light went out (by itself)" is?
- 電気を消した
- 電気が消えた
- 電気を消している
- 電気が消してある
Show answer
Answer: 電気が消えた
消える is the 自動詞 — it happens on its own, and takes が. 消す is the 他動詞: 電気を消した = I turned the light off.
3. 窓が開けてある implies what?
- The window happens to be open
- Someone deliberately opened it and left it that way
- Someone is opening the window right now
- The window will be opened
Show answer
Answer: Someone deliberately opened it and left it that way
他動詞 + てある = a state resulting from deliberate action. 開けてある = someone opened it on purpose. Compare 開いている = just describing that it is open.
Practise 他動詞 (transitive) in the free app
This point is part of the “🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: 🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞
Frequently asked questions
What does 他動詞 (transitive) mean?
Someone acts on the thing; takes を. ドアを開ける = I open the door. Verbs ending in -す are almost always transitive.
Is 他動詞 (transitive) on the JLPT N4 test?
他動詞 (transitive) is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 他動詞 (transitive)?
Open the “🚪 Verb Pairs — 自動詞 & 他動詞” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.