Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
More common pairs
This lesson adds pairs that appear often in school, travel, and daily life: 始める / 始まる, 止める / 止まる, 落とす / 落ちる, 壊す / 壊れる, 並べる / 並ぶ.
Target signal
先生が授業を始めました。
The teacher started the class.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- 始めました
- started
- した
- did
- 先生
- teacher; instructor; doctor
Compare in context
授業が始まりました。
The class started.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- した
- did
- 授業
- class
- が
- subject marker
Compare in context
電車が駅で止まりました。
The train stopped at the station.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- した
- did
- 電車
- train
- が
- subject marker
Section 2 of 3
Reading the actor versus the event
Use the transitive verb when you want to show who caused the action. Use the intransitive verb when the event itself matters more than the actor.
Target signal
子どもがコップを落としました。
The child dropped the cup.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- しました
- did
- コップ
- cup; glass
- 子ども
- child; children
Preview
コップが落ちました。
The cup fell.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- コップ
- cup; glass
- した
- did
- コ
- katakana letter ko
Preview
だれかが自転車を止めました。
Someone stopped the bicycle.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- だれか
- someone; somebody
- 自転車
- bicycle
- した
- did
Section 3 of 3
Practical reading patterns
In announcements and reports, intransitive forms are common because they sound objective. In instructions, transitive forms are common because the reader is expected to act.
Target signal
会議は十分後に始まります。
The meeting starts in ten minutes.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ます
- polite verb ending
- 会議
- meeting
- 十分
- enough; sufficient
Preview
ここに車を止めないでください。
Please do not park a car here.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ください
- please give; please do
- ないで
- without doing; instead of doing
- ここに
- here
Preview
パソコンが急に壊れました。
The computer suddenly broke.
Notice how Transitive and Intransitive Verbs II shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- パソコン
- personal computer
- した
- did
- 急に
- suddenly