Mastering Japanese Grammar: Transitive & Intransitive Verbs, 〜てある / 〜ている, and 見える / 聞こえる
Welcome to your comprehensive revision guide for one of the most essential grammar topics in the Pearson Edexcel A Level Japanese (9JA0) specification! Whether you are aiming for top marks in your Paper 1 translations or looking to boost your AO3 (Accuracy and range of language) score in your Paper 2 essays and translations, mastering these verb distinctions is your secret weapon.
Don't worry if these forms feel confusing at first. By breaking them down step-by-step with clear patterns, analogies, and exam warnings, you will quickly learn how to use them with confidence.
1. Transitive Verbs (他動詞) vs Intransitive Verbs (自動詞)
In Japanese, many verbs come in pairs. Understanding who or what is performing the action determines which verb and particle you must choose.
A. Transitive Verbs (他動詞 - tadōshi)
• What are they? A transitive verb describes an action that an agent (a person or actor) does directly to an object.
• Key Particle: Takes the direct object marker を (wo/o).
• Sentence Pattern: [Agent は/が] + [Object を] + 他動詞
• Everyday Analogy: Imagine your hand pushing a door open. You are actively doing something to that door: ドアを開ける (doa o akeru - to open the door).
B. Intransitive Verbs (自動詞 - jidōshi)
• What are they? An intransitive verb describes a change of state, movement, or natural occurrence happening by itself, without an external agent acting on an object.
• Key Particle: Takes the subject marker が (ga).
• Sentence Pattern: [Subject が] + 自動詞
• Everyday Analogy: Imagine an automatic sliding door opening as you walk near it. The focus is simply on the door opening: ドアが開く (doa ga aku - the door opens).
High-Frequency Transitivity Pairs (Must-Know for Edexcel A Level)
1. To open: 開ける (akeru, Transitive) / 開く (aku, Intransitive)
2. To close: 閉める (shimeru, Transitive) / 閉まる (shimaru, Intransitive)
3. To turn on: つける (tsukeru, Transitive) / つく (tsuku, Intransitive)
4. To turn off / extinguish: 消す (kesu, Transitive) / 消える (kieru, Intransitive)
5. To put in / enter: 入れる (ireru, Transitive) / 入る (hairu, Intransitive)
6. To take out / exit: 出す (dasu, Transitive) / 出る (deru, Intransitive)
7. To stop: 止める (tomeru, Transitive) / 止まる (tomaru, Intransitive)
8. To break: 壊す (kowasu, Transitive) / 壊れる (kowareru, Intransitive)
9. To drop / fall: 落とす (otosu, Transitive) / 落ちる (ochiru, Intransitive)
10. To begin / start: 始める (hajimeru, Transitive) / 始まる (hajimaru, Intransitive)
Memory Tip: Notice that many transitive verbs end in -su (e.g., kesu, dasu, kowasu, otosu) or have an -eru vowel sound (e.g., akeru, shimeru, hajimeru), while their intransitive partners often end in -u, -aru, or -eru.
Section 1 Key Takeaway:
• 他動詞 (Transitive) = Active agent doing an action \(\implies\) uses を.
• 自動詞 (Intransitive) = State change/spontaneous event \(\implies\) uses が.
2. Describing Resulting States: 〜ている vs 〜てある
When something has happened and the result remains visible, Japanese uses two special constructions. Choosing between them depends on whether you want to focus on a natural condition or an intentional human preparation.
A. Intransitive Verb + ている (Resultant State of Being)
• Formula: [Noun] が + Intransitive Verb (て-form) + いる
• Meaning: Describes the current state of an object after a change has occurred. The agent who caused it is irrelevant or unknown.
• Example: ドアが開いています。(Doa ga aite imasu.)
Translation: The door is open. (We are simply observing its current condition).
• Example: 窓が割れています。(Mado ga warete imasu.)
Translation: The window is broken.
B. Transitive Verb + てある (Intentional Resultant State)
• Formula: [Noun] が + Transitive Verb (て-form) + ある
• Meaning: Describes a state that was brought about by someone on purpose for a specific reason or preparation.
• Example: ドアが開けてあります。(Doa ga akete arimasu.)
Translation: The door has been opened / is kept open (someone deliberately opened it, perhaps for ventilation).
• Example: 黒板に予定が書いてあります。(Kokuban ni yotei ga kaite arimasu.)
Translation: The schedule is written on the blackboard (someone wrote it intentionally for everyone to see).
Comparison at a Glance
• 窓が開いています (Mado ga aite imasu): The window is open (observing state; uses aku + te iru).
• 窓が開けてあります (Mado ga akete arimasu): The window has been left open intentionally (purposeful state; uses akeru + te aru).
• 田中さんは窓を開けています (Tanaka-san wa mado o akete imasu): Tanaka is currently opening the window (continuous action in progress; uses Transitive + te iru).
Section 2 Key Takeaway:
• 自動詞 + ている = Simple state (e.g., 開いている = it is open).
• 他動詞 + てある = Purposeful human result (e.g., 開けてある = it has been opened on purpose).
• In standard descriptive sentences, both take が as the subject marker!
3. Spontaneous Perception: 見える and 聞こえる
In English, we often use the word "can see" or "can hear" for both deliberate opportunities and natural occurrences. In Japanese, these are strictly separated!
A. What are Spontaneous Perception Verbs (自発動詞)?
• 見える (mieru) and 聞こえる (kikoeru) are intransitive verbs.
• They describe sights or sounds that enter your eyes or ears spontaneously and effortlessly without any conscious effort.
• Key Particle: The sight or sound is marked by が.
• Formula: [Source/Object] が + 見える / 聞こえる
B. The Vital Distinction: Spontaneous vs Action vs Potential
1. Visual Verbs: 見る vs 見える vs 見られる
• 見る (miru) - Deliberate Action: To look at / to watch intentionally.
Example: 映画を見る (eiga o miru - to watch a movie).
• 見える (mieru) - Spontaneous Sight: Visible naturally / catches the eye.
Example: 窓から富士山が見える。(Mado kara Fujisan ga mieru. - Mt. Fuji is visible from the window.)
• 見られる (mirareru) - Potential: Able to watch/see (given the opportunity, technology, or permission).
Example: このアプリで日本のテレビが見られる。(Kono apuri de Nihon no terebi ga mirareru. - You can watch Japanese TV on this app.)
2. Auditory Verbs: 聞く vs 聞こえる vs 聞ける
• 聞く (kiku) - Deliberate Action: To listen to / to ask intentionally.
Example: 音楽を聞く (ongaku o kiku - to listen to music).
• 聞こえる (kikoeru) - Spontaneous Sound: Audible naturally / sound reaches the ears effortlessly.
Example: 外から鳥の声が聞こえる。(Soto kara tori no koe ga kikoeru. - A bird's voice can be heard from outside.)
• 聞ける (kikeru) - Potential: Able to listen to (given the chance, ticket, or audio equipment).
Example: コンサートで新曲が聞けた。(Konsāto de shinkyoku ga kiketa. - I was able to hear the new song at the concert.)
Section 3 Key Takeaway:
• Use 見える / 聞こえる with が when sensory information enters your senses naturally.
• Use 見られる / 聞ける when you possess the possibility, technology, or chance to watch/listen.
4. Common Pitfalls & Examiner Warnings
Edexcel examiners frequently highlight specific errors in student translations and essays. Make sure to avoid these four classic traps:
Trap 1: Using を with 〜てある
• Incorrect: *窓を開けてある (when stating the condition of the room).
• Correct: 窓が開けてある (The window is left open on purpose).
Tip: Even though akeru is transitive, the resulting state construction describes the condition of the subject, so it takes が.
Trap 2: Confusing Continuous Action with Resultant State
• Incorrect: Writing *ドアを開けている when you want to say "The door is open."
• Correct: ドアが開いている (The door is open) OR ドアを開けている (Someone is actively turning the handle and opening the door right now).
Trap 3: Misusing Potential forms for Natural Visibility
• Incorrect: *部屋から富士山が見られる。
• Correct: 部屋から富士山が見える。 (Mt. Fuji is visible naturally from the room).
Trap 4: Inconsistent Verb Pair Conjugations
• Double-check your verb stems before writing! For example, remember that the intransitive for "to go out/turn off" is 消える (kieru), not 消る; and the transitive for "to drop" is 落とす (otosu), not 落ちす.
5. Quick Summary Revision Checklist
• [ ] Can I distinguish 他動詞 (を) from 自動詞 (が) for all 10 core pairs?
• [ ] Do I know that 自動詞 + ている describes a general state (開いている)?
• [ ] Do I know that 他動詞 + てある describes an intentional state with purpose (開けてある)?
• [ ] Can I correctly choose between 見える (spontaneous sight) and 見られる (potential opportunity)?
• [ ] Can I correctly choose between 聞こえる (spontaneous sound) and 聞ける (potential opportunity)?