動詞
dōshi[do̞ːɕi]
The Japanese word for 'verb' is 動詞 (dōshi).
How does it change in a sentence?
When discussing how a verb changes its form, the standard term used is 活用 (conjugation). 自動詞 (intransitive verb) is used to contrast with 他動詞 (transitive verb).
How do you pronounce it?
dōshi
Did you know?
- While English verbs change based on the subject, Japanese 動詞 do not change based on who is performing the action.
- The word 動詞 is composed of two characters that literally mean 'moving word'.
- Many Japanese 動詞 come in transitive and intransitive pairs where the words look almost identical, such as 開ける and 開く.
Examples in context
- それは、他動詞です。It's a transitive verb.This sentence is useful for identifying a transitive verb using 動詞.Tatoeba #10511481 by small_snow, translation #10510992 by AlanF_US
- この動詞の活用は難しいです。This verb is difficult to conjugate.This sentence is useful for discussing how difficult a verb's conjugation is using 動詞.Tatoeba #10309031 by small_snow, translation #9449022 by AlanF_US
- 英語では動詞が目的語の前に来る。In English the verb precedes the object.This sentence is useful for describing the position of a verb in English using 動詞.Tatoeba #189224 by KK_kaku_, translation #26371 by Zifre
- 日本語を勉強するのは楽しいです。Studying Japanese is fun.
- 今日は映画を見るよ。I'm going to watch a movie today.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are studying Japanese grammar together.
- 結衣 Yuiこの動詞の意味は何ですか？Kono doushi no imi wa nan desu ka?What does this verb mean?
- 陽太 Yotaそれは「食べる」という動詞です。Sore wa 'taberu' to iu doushi desu.That is the verb 'taberu'.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんは日本語が上手ですね。Youta-san wa nihongo ga jouzu desu ne.You are good at Japanese, Youta.
- 陽太 Yotaいえ、まだまだです。Ie, mada mada desu.No, I still have a long way to go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 動詞, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
