Japanese grammar
What does ～出す mean? Japanese grammar N4
～出す means to suddenly ~, to burst into ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V(ます形) + 出す |
| Romaji | ~ dasu |
| Meaning | to suddenly ~, to burst into ~ |
Forming it
| Formula | V (drop ます) + 出す — 降ります → 降り出す・泣きます → 泣き出す |
|---|---|
| Conjugation | 出す is a Group 1 verb: 出します・出した |
How to use it
Expresses an action beginning SUDDENLY, unexpectedly.
- 出す attaches after V(ます form) meaning "SUDDENLY begin to ~": 「雨が降り出しました」(it suddenly started raining), 「赤ちゃんが泣き出しました」(the baby suddenly burst into tears).
- The distinction from ～始める (begin ~): 始める is neutral and can be a planned event — 「九時に勉強し始めます」(I'll start studying at 9 o'clock). Whereas 出す always carries a SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED nuance — you wouldn't say 「九時に勉強し出します」 because studying at 9 o'clock is a plan, not sudden at all.
- Because of its unexpected nuance, 出す is almost never used with the first person in a volitional sentence. Saying 「私は走り出しました」 is only correct when describing an involuntary reflex, not a decision to run.
- For the same reason, 出す is NOT used in the imperative/invitational form: you can't say 「食べ出してください」 — telling someone to "suddenly begin eating" makes no sense.
Examples
急に雨が降り出しました。
It suddenly started raining.
赤ちゃんが大きい声で泣き出しました。
The baby suddenly started crying loudly.
電車が動き出しましたから、座りましょう。
The train has started moving, so let's sit down.
Keep in mind
- Commonly seen group: 降り出す・泣き出す・笑い出す・走り出す・言い出す・動き出す.
- 言い出す has a distinct meaning worth remembering: "to start speaking up, to propose" — 「彼が先に言い出しました」 (he was the one who brought it up first).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong毎日九時に勉強し出します。
I start studying at nine o'clock every day.
Correct毎日九時に勉強し始めます。
出す is only used for beginning SUDDENLY, unexpectedly. Studying at exactly 9 o'clock every day is a plan → use 始める.
-
Wrong早く食べ出してください。
Hurry up and eat.
Correct早く食べ始めてください。
出す is not used in the request/imperative form — you can't command someone to "suddenly begin".
Exam tips
- Trap between 出す/始める: with 急に・突然 → 出す; with a specific time/plan → 始める.