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A2 verb #2,000 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

起こす

okosu Top 2,000

At the A1 level, you only need to know '起こす' (okosu) in its most basic physical sense: waking someone up. You will likely hear it in simple sentences like 'Please wake me up' or 'I wake my child up.' It is important to distinguish it from 'okiru' (to wake up oneself). At this stage, focus on the 'Person を起こす' pattern. You might see it in textbooks in the polite form 'okoshimasu' or the request form 'okoshite kudasai.' It's a foundational verb for talking about daily routines and family life. Don't worry about the abstract meanings like 'causing accidents' yet; just focus on the morning routine. Remember that the person being woken up is the object of the sentence. If you are the one being woken up, you are the object! This is a great word to practice the 'wo' particle. For example, 'Tanaka-san wo okoshimasu' (I will wake up Mr. Tanaka). Simple, direct, and essential for basic communication.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of '起こす' to include raising objects that have fallen down. For example, if a chair falls over, you 'okosu' it. You also begin to see the first abstract use: 'causing' something, specifically accidents (事故を出す/起こす). You should be comfortable with the basic conjugations: okoshite (te-form), okoshita (past), and okosanai (negative). You will also encounter the potential form 'okoseru' (can wake up/can raise). This level requires you to clearly distinguish between 'okosu' (transitive) and 'okiru' (intransitive). A typical A2 mistake is mixing these up. You should also be able to use it in combined sentences, like 'Kodomo wo okoshite, gakkou ni ikaseta' (I woke up the child and made them go to school). You'll also start hearing it in news headlines about minor incidents. It's a very practical verb at this stage for describing physical actions in the world around you.

By B1, you should be using '起こす' for a wider variety of abstract events. This includes 'causing problems' (問題を起こす), 'starting a movement' (運動を起こす), or 'bringing about a miracle' (奇跡を起こす). You will also encounter the passive form 'okosareru' (to be woken up by someone/something). This is often used when the speaker feels slightly inconvenienced, such as being woken up by a loud noise. You should also learn the compound verb 'hiki-okosu' (to trigger/lead to), which is a more formal version of 'okosu' for causation. At this level, you might also see 'okosu' in the context of 'transcribing' (tape-okoshi), which is common in office or academic settings. Your understanding of agency should be strong: 'okosu' implies that the subject is the active catalyst for the change. You will see this verb in intermediate reading passages about social issues or personal stories where someone's actions led to a significant change.

At the B2 level, '起こす' is used in more sophisticated contexts such as business, law, and literature. You will encounter phrases like 'saiban wo okosu' (to bring a lawsuit) or 'kigyo wo okosu' (to start a business). You should understand the nuance of 'okosu' as 'initiating' or 'establishing' something from scratch. In literature, it might describe a character 'raising' their spirit or 'rousing' themselves to action. You should also be able to distinguish 'okosu' from more formal synonyms like 'hassei saseru' (to generate) or 'shoujisaseru' (to cause to arise). The use of 'okosu' in the passive-causative or other complex grammar structures is expected. For example, 'Haha ni kodomo wo okosaseta' (I made my mother wake up the child). You will also see it in news reports describing complex causal links in economics or politics. Your ability to use 'okosu' naturally in both formal and informal registers is a key marker of this level.

At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the subtle nuances and idiomatic expressions involving '起こす'. This includes metaphorical uses like 'kaze wo okosu' (to create a new trend/movement) or 'namida wo okosu' (to move someone to tears - though 'sasou' is more common, 'okosu' can appear in specific literary styles). You will encounter 'okosu' in historical texts or formal essays discussing the 'awakening' of national consciousness or the 'triggering' of revolutions. You should also be familiar with technical uses, such as 'tsuchi-okosu' in agriculture or 'moji-okoshi' in media studies. At this level, you can appreciate the choice of 'okosu' over other verbs to emphasize the subject's direct agency and the suddenness of the initiation. You will also be able to use it in high-level writing to describe the initiation of complex psychological states or social phenomena. Your mastery of the verb's pitch accent and its integration into complex, multi-clause sentences should be near-native.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '起こす' includes its most obscure and archaic applications, as well as its precise use in legal and academic discourse. You understand how 'okosu' functions in classical-influenced modern Japanese, where it might take on nuances of 'reviving' or 'restoring' something (like an old tradition). You can use it to describe the subtle 'arousing' of specific aesthetic or philosophical sensibilities. In a legal context, you understand the precise implications of 'okosu' in various types of litigation. You are also aware of how the verb's meaning can shift slightly in different regional dialects or specialized professional jargons. Your use of the verb is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, utilizing it to convey exact degrees of causality, intentionality, and impact. You can analyze the use of 'okosu' in classical literature and explain how its meaning has evolved into the modern 'okosu'. This level represents a complete internalisation of the verb's semantic field.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

起こす in 30 Sekunden

Basic meaning: To wake someone up or raise a fallen object.
Abstract meaning: To cause or trigger an event (accident, miracle, etc.).
Grammar: Transitive verb (needs an object with 'wo').
Common usage: Daily routines, news reports, and business/legal contexts.

The Japanese verb 起こす (okosu) is a versatile transitive verb primarily categorized at the JLPT N4 (CEFR A2) level, though its abstract applications extend far into advanced Japanese. At its most fundamental level, it describes the act of bringing something from a state of rest, recumbency, or inactivity into a state of action or uprightness. Whether you are waking a sleeping child, lifting a fallen bicycle, or inadvertently causing a traffic accident, the core concept remains the same: an external force (the subject) initiates a change in the state of an object. This verb is the transitive counterpart to the intransitive verb 起きる (okiru), which means 'to wake up' or 'to happen' on one's own. Understanding the distinction between these two is crucial for mastering Japanese agency and transitivity.

Primary Physical Meaning: To wake someone up from sleep. This is the most common usage in daily life, often involving family members or alarm clocks (though clocks 'ring', the person 'uses' them to wake up).

毎朝、母が私を６時に起こしてくれます。(My mother wakes me up at 6 every morning.)

Secondary Physical Meaning: To raise something that has fallen over or is lying down. This applies to objects like chairs, poles, or even people who have tripped.

倒れた看板を起こすのを手伝ってください。(Please help me pick up the sign that fell over.)

Abstract Meaning: To Cause: To trigger an event, often something negative like an accident (事故), a problem (問題), or a scandal (不祥事). However, it can also be used for positive or neutral triggers like a 'miracle' (奇跡) or a 'revolution' (革命).

不注意で交通事故を起こしてしまった。(I caused a traffic accident due to carelessness.)

彼は新しいビジネスを起こそうとしている。(He is trying to start/establish a new business.)

情熱が奇跡を起こすこともある。(Passion can sometimes cause/work miracles.)

In summary, 起こす moves something from a state of 'down' or 'off' to 'up' or 'on'. Whether it's physical posture, consciousness, or the existence of an event, the verb emphasizes the subject's role as the catalyst. In literary contexts, it can even refer to 'transcribing' or 'writing down' spoken words (テープ起こし), further demonstrating the idea of 'bringing something into a usable, visible form'. This depth makes it a cornerstone of Japanese expression across all levels of fluency.

Using 起こす (okosu) correctly requires a firm grasp of the 'Subject-Object-Verb' structure where the subject performs an action on an object. Because it is a Godan verb (Type I), its conjugations follow the standard 'su' ending patterns. The most critical aspect of its usage is the choice of the direct object marker を (wo). You are always 'causing' or 'raising' something else. If you want to say you woke up yourself, you must use the intransitive 起きる (okiru). This distinction is the number one hurdle for learners.

Conjugation Patterns: Polite: 起こします (okoshimasu). Te-form: 起こして (okoshite). Negative: 起こさない (okosanai). Potential: 起こせる (okoseru). Passive: 起こされる (okosareru). Causative: 起こさせる (okosaseru).

子供を起こさないように、静かに歩いた。(I walked quietly so as not to wake the child.)

The 'Cause' Usage: When used to mean 'to cause', the object is usually a noun representing an event. Common objects include 事故 (accident), 事件 (incident), 奇跡 (miracle), and 裁判 (lawsuit). This usage is very common in news reporting.

彼はスピードを出しすぎて事故を起こした。(He drove too fast and caused an accident.)

Idiomatic and Specific Uses: 'Okosu' is used in specific professional contexts. 'Tape-okosu' (テープ起こし) means transcribing audio. 'Kigyo-okosu' (起業を起こす - though usually just 起業する) refers to starting a business. In agriculture, 'Tsuchi-okosu' (土起こし) means tilling the soil.

インタビューの音声を文字に起こす作業は時間がかかる。(The task of transcribing interview audio into text takes time.)

春になったら、畑の土を起こします。(When spring comes, I will till the soil in the field.)

明日、社長を８時にお起こししなければなりません。(I must wake the president at 8 tomorrow.)

Whether you are a beginner focusing on 'waking someone up' or an advanced student discussing 'social movements' (運動を起こす), the key is the intentionality of the subject. 起こす implies that without the subject's action, the state would remain unchanged. This makes it a powerful verb for expressing responsibility, initiative, and causation in both personal and professional Japanese life.

The verb 起こす (okosu) is ubiquitous in Japanese society, appearing in settings ranging from the intimate atmosphere of a family home to the formal tone of a national news broadcast. Its frequency is high because it covers essential human interactions and critical societal events. By recognizing where you hear it, you can better grasp the nuances of its various meanings.

In the Home (Daily Life): This is where most learners first encounter the word. Parents wake children, or roommates ask each other for wake-up calls. It's often heard in the imperative form 'okoshite' (wake me up).

「明日、７時に起こしてね」「わかった、任せて」('Wake me up at 7 tomorrow, okay?' 'Got it, leave it to me.')

In News and Media: Journalists use 'okosu' constantly to describe accidents, crimes, or political movements. It sounds objective yet clearly identifies the source of the action. Phrases like 'jiko wo okosu' (cause an accident) are standard news terminology.

犯人は都内で複数の事件を起こして逃走中です。(The perpetrator caused several incidents in the city and is currently at large.)

In Business and Law: In professional settings, 'okosu' appears in the context of starting new projects or taking legal action. 'Saiban wo okosu' (to bring a lawsuit) is a formal expression used in legal discussions.

不当な解雇に対して裁判を起こすことにした。(I decided to bring a lawsuit against the unfair dismissal.)

新しいブームを起こすための戦略を練る。(We are developing a strategy to spark a new boom.)

若者たちが政治に新しい風を起こしている。(Young people are bringing a new wind [change] to politics.)

From the quiet 'okoshite' in a bedroom to the dramatic 'saiban wo okosu' in a courtroom, the verb spans the entire spectrum of Japanese life. Its presence in anime (e.g., characters waking each other up) and literature (e.g., causing a revolution) further cements its status as a vital piece of vocabulary for any serious student of the language.

While 起こす (okosu) seems straightforward, it is a frequent source of errors for non-native speakers. These mistakes usually stem from confusing it with its intransitive twin, misusing particles, or applying it to contexts where a different 'cause' verb would be more appropriate. Identifying these pitfalls early will significantly improve your naturalness in Japanese.

Mistake 1: Confusing Okosu with Okiru: The most common error is saying 'I woke up' using 'okoshita'. Incorrect: 'Watashi wa 7-ji ni okoshita.' Correct: 'Watashi wa 7-ji ni okita.' Remember: Okosu needs an object (someone else), while Okiru is for yourself.

× 私は自分で起こした。 (I woke [someone] up by myself - sounds incomplete)
○ 私は７時に起きた。 (I woke up at 7.)

Mistake 2: Particle Errors (が vs を): Because 'okosu' is transitive, the thing being caused or woken must be followed by 'wo'. Using 'ga' with 'okosu' is grammatically incorrect unless 'ga' marks the subject doing the waking.

× 事故が起こした。 (The accident woke/caused [something] - makes no sense)
○ 事故を起こした。 (I/Someone caused an accident.)
○ 事故が起きた。 (An accident happened.)

Mistake 3: Overusing 'Okosu' for 'Cause': While 'okosu' means cause, it's not used for everything. For scientific causes or reasons, 'hikiokosu' (引き起こす) or 'gen'in to naru' (原因となる) are often better. 'Okosu' is best for events, accidents, or sudden changes.

× 大雨が洪水を起こした。 (Slightly unnatural)
○ 大雨が洪水を引き起こした。 (Heavy rain triggered/led to a flood.)

Mistake 4: Misusing the Passive Form: Students often say 'I was woken up by the alarm' using 'okiru'. It should be 'Mezamashi-dokei ni okosareta' (I was woken by the clock). Using the passive of 'okosu' is the correct way to express being woken by an external force.

× 騒音で起きられた。 (Grammatically weird)
○ 騒音に起こされた。 (I was woken up by the noise.)

By avoiding these common errors, you will demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of Japanese verb logic. Pay close attention to whether the action is something you do to yourself or something you do to another person or object, and your use of 'okosu' will be flawless.

Japanese has several verbs that overlap with 起こす (okosu) in meaning. Distinguishing between them is key to reaching an advanced level of expression. Depending on whether you are waking someone, causing an event, or starting a project, a different word might be more precise.

起こす vs. 目覚めさせる (Mezame-saseru): 'Okosu' is the everyday word for waking someone. 'Mezame-saseru' is more poetic or metaphorical, often meaning 'to awaken' someone's potential, interest, or spirit.

彼の言葉が私の情熱を目覚めさせた。(His words awakened my passion.)

起こす vs. 引き起こす (Hiki-okosu): While 'okosu' is used for accidents and incidents, 'hiki-okosu' is more formal and often used for broader consequences, social issues, or scientific results. It literally means 'to pull and cause'.

その政策は大きな混乱を引き起こした。(That policy triggered/led to great confusion.)

起こす vs. 発生させる (Hassei-saseru): 'Hassei-saseru' is a technical or academic term meaning 'to generate' or 'to produce' (like electricity, heat, or a phenomenon). 'Okosu' is more natural for human-centric events.

摩擦によって熱を発生させる。(Generate heat through friction.)

起こす vs. 呼び起こす (Yobi-okosu): 'Yobi-okosu' means 'to call forth' or 'to evoke'. It is almost exclusively used for memories, emotions, or past feelings.

この香りは子供の頃の記憶を呼び起こす。(This scent evokes memories of my childhood.)

彼は新しい流行を作り出す。(He creates a new trend - 'tsukuridasu' is another alternative for 'okosu' in creative contexts.)

Understanding these synonyms allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of causation you want to convey. While 'okosu' is a safe 'all-purpose' verb, using words like 'hiki-okosu' or 'yobi-okosu' will make your Japanese sound much more nuanced and professional.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

母が私を６時に起こします。

My mother wakes me up at 6.

Uses the basic 'Subject ga Object wo Verb' pattern.

明日、７時に起こしてください。

Please wake me up at 7 tomorrow.

The '-te kudasai' form is used for making requests.

弟を起こしに行きます。

I'm going to go wake up my younger brother.

The '-ni ikimasu' construction indicates purpose.

目覚まし時計が私を起こした。

The alarm clock woke me up.

Even an inanimate object can be the subject of 'okosu'.

だれがあなたを起こしましたか。

Who woke you up?

Question form using 'dare ga'.

赤ちゃんを起こさないでください。

Please don't wake the baby.

Negative request '-nai de kudasai'.

犬が私を起こしてくれた。

The dog woke me up (as a favor).

'-te kureta' shows the action was a benefit to the speaker.

父を早く起こしました。

I woke my father up early.

Adverb 'hayaku' modifies the verb.

倒れた自転車を起こした。

I picked up the fallen bicycle.

Physical use: raising something that fell.

不注意でコップを倒したが、すぐに起こした。

I knocked over the cup by mistake, but I picked it up right away.

Contrast between 'taosu' (knock over) and 'okosu' (pick up).

彼は昨日、軽い事故を起こした。

He caused a minor accident yesterday.

First abstract use: causing an accident.

風が看板を倒したので、起こしておきました。

The wind blew the sign over, so I picked it up (for later).

'-te okimashita' indicates doing something in preparation.

朝早く起こされるのは嫌いだ。

I hate being woken up early in the morning.

Passive form 'okosareru' expresses being the recipient of the action.

先生は学生たちを一人ずつ起こした。

The teacher woke the students up one by one.

'Hitori zutsu' means one by one.

大きな音を立てて、みんなを起こしてしまった。

I made a loud noise and accidentally woke everyone up.

'-te shimatta' expresses regret or an accidental action.

椅子を起こして、並べてください。

Please pick up the chairs and line them up.

Using 'okosu' for furniture.

不注意な発言が大きな問題を起こした。

A careless remark caused a big problem.

Abstract use: causing a problem (mondai).

彼はクラスで騒ぎを起こすのが得意だ。

He is good at causing a stir in class.

'Sawagi wo okosu' means to cause a commotion.

この薬は眠気を起こすことがあります。

This medicine may cause sleepiness.

'Nemuke wo okosu' means to induce sleepiness.

彼女はボランティア活動で奇跡を起こした。

She worked a miracle through her volunteer activities.

'Kiseki wo okosu' is a common positive abstract use.

会議の音声を文字に起こすのは大変だ。

It's hard to transcribe meeting audio into text.

'Moji ni okosu' or 'tape-okoshi' means transcription.

彼は新しい流行を起こそうと頑張っている。

He is working hard to start a new trend.

'Ryuukou wo okosu' means to start a trend.

騒音に起こされて、寝不足だ。

I was woken up by the noise and I'm sleep-deprived.

Passive 'okosarete' followed by a result.

勇気を出して、行動を起こしましょう。

Let's take courage and take action.

'Koudou wo okosu' means to take action.

彼は若くして会社を自分で起こした。

He started his own company at a young age.

'Kaisha wo okosu' means to establish/start a company.

不当な解雇に対して裁判を起こす準備をしている。

I am preparing to bring a lawsuit against the unfair dismissal.

'Saiban wo okosu' is the standard term for filing a lawsuit.

その事件は社会に大きな波紋を起こした。

The incident caused a great stir (ripples) in society.

'Hamon wo okosu' is a metaphorical expression for causing a stir.

情熱が彼を突き動かし、革命を起こさせた。

Passion drove him and made him start a revolution.

Causative form 'okosaseta'.

新しい風をビジネス界に起こす必要がある。

We need to bring a new wind (change) to the business world.

'Kaze wo okosu' means to bring change/innovation.

彼は自分の不注意で不祥事を起こしてしまった。

He caused a scandal due to his own carelessness.

'Fushouji wo okosu' means to cause a scandal.

春の訪れが、植物たちの生命力を呼び起こす。

The arrival of spring awakens the vitality of the plants.

Compound verb 'yobi-okosu' (to call forth/awaken).

彼は倒産した家業を再び起こそうと決心した。

He decided to revive the bankrupt family business.

Here 'okosu' means to revive or restore.

彼の演説は聴衆の心に強い感動を呼び起こした。

His speech evoked strong emotions in the hearts of the audience.

Using 'yobi-okosu' for emotional evocation.

その作家は、忘れ去られた歴史に光を当て、ブームを起こした。

The author shed light on forgotten history and sparked a boom.

Combining metaphors with 'okosu'.

一人の勇気ある行動が、国全体に大きな変革を起こす力となった。

The courageous action of one person became the power to cause a major transformation in the entire country.

Complex sentence structure with 'okosu' as the core action.

科学者は実験を通じて、未知の現象を意図的に起こすことに成功した。

The scientist succeeded in intentionally causing an unknown phenomenon through experiments.

Formal/Academic context.

その音楽は、私の奥底に眠っていた記憶を鮮やかに呼び起こした。

The music vividly evoked memories that had been sleeping deep within me.

Literary and evocative usage.

伝統を現代の感性で捉え直し、新しい文化を自らの手で起こす。

Reinterpreting tradition with modern sensibility, one creates a new culture with their own hands.

High-level philosophical/creative context.

彼は反対勢力に対して、毅然とした態度で訴訟を起こした。

He brought a lawsuit against the opposing forces with a resolute attitude.

Formal legal register.

土を丹念に起こすことで、豊かな実りが約束される。

By carefully tilling the soil, a rich harvest is promised.

Specialized agricultural usage.

その哲学的思索は、近代思想の根底を揺るがす地殻変動を起こしたと言える。

It can be said that those philosophical reflections caused a tectonic shift that shook the very foundations of modern thought.

Highly academic/metaphorical.

古文書を紐解き、埋もれた真実を白日の下にさらすべく、調査を起こす。

To unravel ancient documents and expose buried truths to the light of day, an investigation is initiated.

Archaic/Formal phrasing.

彼の沈黙は、雄弁な言葉よりも雄弁に、人々の良心に訴えかけ、静かな革命を起こした。

His silence, more eloquent than words, appealed to people's consciences and sparked a quiet revolution.

Literary and nuanced.

一滴の水が静かな湖面に波紋を起こすように、彼の行動は波及していった。

Just as a single drop of water causes ripples on a quiet lake surface, his actions spread.

Simile used with 'okosu'.

主権者は、憲法の精神に基づき、正当な手続きを経て、国家の変革を起こす権利を有する。

The sovereign has the right to cause a transformation of the state through legitimate procedures based on the spirit of the constitution.

Legal/Political discourse.

その芸術作品は、見る者の魂を揺さぶり、根源的な問いを呼び起こす。

The artwork shakes the soul of the viewer and evokes fundamental questions.

Aesthetic/Philosophical context.

彼は、廃れかけた伝統芸能を再興すべく、私財を投じて運動を起こした。

In order to revive the fading traditional performing arts, he invested his private fortune and started a movement.

High-level social/cultural context.

歴史の歯車が回り始め、誰も止めることのできない巨大なうねりを起こした。

The gears of history began to turn, causing a massive swell that no one could stop.

Grand historical narrative style.

Häufige Kollokationen

子供を起こす

事故を起こす

問題を起こす

奇跡を起こす

裁判を起こす

会社を起こす

火を起こす

風を起こす

ブームを起こす

文字に起こす

Häufige Phrasen

７時に起こして

不祥事を起こす

行動を起こす

革命を起こす

騒ぎを起こす

やる気を起こす

腹を立てる (related idiom)

身を起こす

顔を起こす

テープ起こし

Wird oft verwechselt mit

起こす vs 起きる (okiru)

起こす vs 立てる (tateru)

起こす vs 始める (hajimeru)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"風を起こす"

To create a new trend or movement.

"波紋を起こす"

To cause a stir or ripple effect in society.

"火を起こす"

To start a fire (literally or figuratively).

"奇跡を起こす"

To perform a miracle.

"裁判を起こす"

To file a lawsuit.

"文字に起こす"

To transcribe spoken words into text.

"騒ぎを起こす"

To cause a commotion or trouble.

"身を起こす"

To sit up or raise one's body.

"会社を起こす"

To start/found a company.

"やる気を起こす"

To motivate someone or find motivation.

Leicht verwechselbar

起こす vs 起きる

起こす vs 起こる

起こす vs 起こす

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

nuance

Okosu implies direct agency and often a sudden start.

distinction

Okosu (transitive) vs Okiru (intransitive).

Häufige Fehler

Tipps

The 'Wo' Rule

Always pair 'okosu' with the particle 'wo'. You are always acting on something. If you find yourself using 'ga' with 'okosu', double-check if you should be using 'okiru' instead. This is the most reliable way to avoid mistakes.

Pair with Nouns

Memorize 'okosu' as part of set phrases like 'jiko wo okosu' or 'kiseki wo okosu'. Learning verbs in context with their common objects is much more effective than learning them in isolation. It helps you internalize the 'flavor' of the word.

Requesting a Wake-up

Practice saying '7-ji ni okoshite' (Wake me at 7). It's a very natural, daily-life phrase. If you're staying at a hotel in Japan, you might ask for a 'morning call', but in a homestay, 'okoshite kudasai' is perfect.

The 'S' Sound

When listening to fast Japanese, focus on the 's' in 'okoshita' or 'okoshimasu'. That 's' is your clue that someone is doing the waking. If you hear 'okita' (no 's'), someone just woke up on their own. This small sound makes a big difference!

Transcription Kanji

When writing about transcribing, you can use '起こす' or just 'おこす'. Both are common. In professional contexts, '文字起こし' (moji-okoshi) is the most standard way to write it. It's a great word to know for office work.

Social Harmony

Be careful when using 'okosu' with negative events like 'mondai' (problems). In Japan, 'causing a problem' is a serious matter. Using this verb clearly assigns responsibility, so use it carefully in social situations to avoid sounding too accusatory.

The Alarm Clock

Think of an alarm clock as an 'Okosu-Machine'. It is the thing that 'okosu' (wakes) you. You are the one being 'okosareru' (woken up). Visualizing the clock as the active agent helps you remember that 'okosu' is transitive.

Metaphorical Winds

Try using 'kaze wo okosu' (create a wind) in your advanced essays. It's a beautiful way to say someone is bringing fresh ideas or change to a stagnant situation. It will make your Japanese sound very sophisticated and native-like.

Transitive Pairs

Regularly review 'okosu' alongside 'okiru'. Many Japanese verbs come in these transitive/intransitive pairs (like 'shimeru/shimaru' or 'akeru/aku'). Mastering one pair makes it much easier to understand the logic of the others.

Physical vs Abstract

Always ask yourself: 'Is this physical (waking up) or abstract (causing)?' This mental check helps you choose the right level of formality and the right synonyms if you want to be more precise.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Derived from the root 'oku' (to rise), with the transitive suffix '-su'.

Kultureller Kontext

Waking a superior requires humble language (o-okoshi suru).

Using 'okosu' for accidents often implies a public apology is needed.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"いつも何時に起こしてもらっていますか？ (What time do you usually get woken up?)"

"自分で起きますか、誰かに起こされますか？ (Do you wake up by yourself or does someone wake you?)"

"最近、何か新しいことを起こしましたか？ (Have you started anything new recently?)"

"奇跡を起こせると信じていますか？ (Do you believe you can work miracles?)"

"どうやってやる気を起こしますか？ (How do you motivate yourself/get motivated?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、誰かを起こしましたか？ (Did you wake someone up today?)

人生で一番大きな「行動を起こした」瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about the moment you took the biggest action in your life.)

もし新しいビジネスを起こすなら、何をしますか？ (If you were to start a new business, what would you do?)

最近、周りで起きた「波紋を起こした」出来事は何ですか？ (What is a recent event that caused a stir around you?)

朝、自分を一番よく起こしてくれるものは何ですか？ (What wakes you up best in the morning?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you must use 'okiru' for yourself. 'Okosu' always means you are waking someone else. If you say 'Watashi wa okoshita,' people will ask 'Who did you wake up?' It is a common mistake for beginners, so try to remember that 'okosu' needs an object. For yourself, simply say 'Okita' (I woke up).

'Okosu' is more general and used for everyday things like waking people or simple accidents. 'Hiki-okosu' is more formal and implies a chain of events or a more significant social/scientific consequence. You would use 'okosu' to wake a child, but 'hiki-okosu' to describe how a policy triggered an economic crisis. Think of 'hiki-okosu' as 'to lead to' or 'to trigger'.

Yes, 'hi wo okosu' is the standard phrase for starting a fire, especially when you are making it from scratch (like with matches or rubbing sticks). It fits the core meaning of 'bringing something into a state of activity'. You wouldn't use it for just turning on a gas stove, but definitely for a campfire or a traditional hearth.

You can say 'Okosanaide' (casual) or 'Okosanaide kudasai' (polite). This uses the negative te-form of 'okosu'. It's very useful if you want to sleep in! Remember that even though you are talking about yourself, you are the *object* of the waking action that you don't want someone else to do.

Yes! While it's often used for 'jiko' (accidents) or 'mondai' (problems), it's also used for 'kiseki' (miracles), 'kakumei' (revolutions), and 'ryuukou' (trends). It simply means to initiate something. Whether that thing is good or bad depends entirely on the noun you use as the object.

It means 'transcription'. It literally translates to 'raising the tape'. It refers to the process of listening to an audio recording (the 'tape') and 'raising' the spoken words into written text. It's a very common term in journalism, business, and academic research.

You can use it to mean 'raising' your body (mi wo okosu) from a lying position to a sitting or standing one. However, if you just want to say 'I stood up,' you should use 'tatsu'. 'Okosu' implies the act of moving from a horizontal to a vertical position.

It is a neutral verb. To make it polite, you use 'okoshimasu'. In very formal situations where you are waking a superior, you might use 'o-okoshi suru' or a different expression like 'o-mezame ni naru'. For daily use, 'okoshimasu' is perfectly fine.

It is the same as 'tape-okoshi'. It refers to transcribing audio or video into text (moji). It is a more modern term since we don't use 'tapes' much anymore, but both are widely understood and used interchangeably in the industry.

In Japanese, 'saiban wo okosu' means to 'initiate' or 'start' a legal case. It fits the abstract meaning of 'okosu' as triggering a formal process or event. It sounds more active and decisive than just saying 'starting' a trial. It's the standard legal terminology for filing a suit.