Transitive vs. Intransitive Verb Pairs in Japanese (有対動詞) + 〜ている

Introduction

This lesson brings together two essentials: transitive vs. intransitive verb pairs (有対動詞) and how 〜ている behaves with them.

You’ll learn to describe (1) someone’s action on things and (2) the state things are in after a change. We’ll focus on practical pairs and the “action vs. state” contrast with 〜ている.

1. What are transitive & intransitive verbs?

Transitive verbs (他動詞): need a direct object marked by を. The subject does the action to the object.

さきさんが電気でんきをつけます。
Saki turns on the light.

Intransitive verbs (自動詞): no direct object. The subject experiences the change/state.

電気でんきがつきます。
The light goes on.

Some verb pairs share a similar meaning but differ in transitivity. One verb in the pair is transitive (requires a direct object) and the other is intransitive (does not require a direct object).

Pro Tip: Think About “Will” or “Intention”

A great way to feel the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs is to think about intention.

• Transitive verbs usually involve someone’s will or intention. You decide to do something.
  • 私がドアを開けます。 (I open the door. → My choice.)
• Intransitive verbs often describe a phenomenon that happens on its own, without direct intention.
  • ドアが開きます。 (The door opens. → It objectively describes the phenomenon of the door opening itself, not someone’s intention.)

2. Core verb pairs you’ll use every day

Here are some common transitive and intransitive verbs.

3. 〜ている with transitivity: action vs. result state

When the ている form is added to transitive and intransitive verbs, it can indicate an ongoing action or a resulting state. The meaning varies depending on the verb’s transitivity.

Rule of thumb

• Transitive + 〜ている → action in progress (someone is doing it now).
  さきさんは電気でんきを消けしています。= Saki is turning the light off.
• Intransitive + 〜ている (for change verbs) → resulting state.
  電気でんきが消きえています。= The light is off (state), not “is turning off.”

This contrast is highlighted again with つける／つく:

• さきさんは電気をつけています（transitive）= is turning it on;
• 電気がついています（intransitive）= the light is on (state).

gokigen penguin

Recap: Activity verbs + ている refer to actions in progress / change verbs + ている refer to the states resulting from the change. If you want to review, read this article: How to Use te iru（〜ている） in Japanese | Ongoing Action vs Ongoing Result Explained

4. Example Sentences

Transitive (T) and Intransitive (I)

• (T) ユキさんがドアを開あけます。
  Yuki opens the door.
• (I) ドアが開あきます。
  The door opens.

• (T) さとしさんがローソクの火ひを消けします。
  Satoshi blows out the candle.
• (I) ローソクの火が消きえます。
  The candle flame goes out.

• (T) ソラさんがパソコンをつけます。
  Sora turns on the computer.
• (I) パソコンがつきます。
  The computer turns on.

Transitive/intransitive verb ＋ ている

母ははは今いま、先生せんせいと話はなしています。
My mother is talking to the doctor right now.

兄あには結婚けっこんしています。
My older brother is married.

Tシャツが汚よごれています。
The T-shirt is dirty.

桜さくらが咲さいています。
The cherry blossoms are in bloom.

冷蔵庫れいぞうこが開あいています。
The refrigerator is open.

今いま、店員てんいんさんがテーブルを掃除そうじしています。
The staff member is cleaning the table right now.

5. Practice Time! (Result states with intransitives)

Use intransitive + 〜ている to describe each state:

Try these:

• (1) まど（window）／閉まる → ________
• (2) カフェ／開く → ________
• (3) （机の下に）ペン／落ちる → ________

6. Usage notes you should remember

• Particles matter:
  を with transitive (ドアを開ける), が with intransitive (ドアが開く).
• Don’t mix forms:
  × 電気がつけています → should be 電気がついています (state). Use をつけています only when someone is performing the action.
• Learn pairs as pairs: They come up together in conversation and on tests.

7. Common mistakes (and quick fixes)

8. FAQ

Conclusion

• Transitive verbs take を and describe actions on things; intransitive verbs take が and describe what happens/is.
• With 〜ている, transitives usually mean action in progress, while intransitives (change verbs) express a resulting state (light is on/off, door is closed/open).

Practice a few pairs each day and say them both ways (を〜／が〜). You’ll instantly sound clearer and more natural.