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A2 verb #1,100 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

起きる

okiru Top 1,100

At the A1 level, 'okiru' is primarily taught as part of a daily routine. You learn it alongside words like 'asa' (morning), 'shichi-ji' (7 o'clock), and 'neru' (to sleep). The focus is on the simple present and past forms: 'okimasu' and 'okimashita.' Students learn to express when they wake up using the particle 'ni' for time. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the 'to occur' meaning; just focus on getting out of bed. You'll practice sentences like 'Asa okimasu' (I wake up in the morning) and 'Kesa wa osoku okimashita' (I woke up late this morning). It's one of the first verbs you'll use to describe your life in Japanese. You should also learn the negative form 'okinai' to say you don't wake up at a certain time. The goal is to build a basic schedule and be able to answer the question 'Nan-ji ni okimasu ka?' (What time do you wake up?).

At the A2 level, you begin to expand the use of 'okiru' to include the state of being awake using the 'te-iru' form. 'Okite iru' means 'is awake' or 'is staying up.' You also start to see the second meaning of 'okiru': 'to occur.' Simple sentences like 'Jiko ga okita' (An accident happened) are introduced. You'll learn to use 'okiru' in more complex sentence structures, such as using 'kara' (because) or 'toki' (when). For example, 'Abunai kara, jiko ga okiru kamoshirenai' (Because it's dangerous, an accident might happen). You also learn the potential form 'okireru' (can wake up), which is very useful for talking about your habits. You should be able to distinguish between 'okiru' (intransitive) and 'okosu' (transitive) at this level, even if you still make occasional mistakes. The focus is on using the verb in real-life contexts like travel, health, and reporting simple events.

At the B1 level, you should have a firm grasp of the 'occurrence' meaning and use it more naturally in conversation. You will encounter 'okiru' in various grammatical constructions like 'okiru you ni' (so that [something] happens) or 'okiru to' (if/when [something] happens). You'll also learn more idiomatic expressions like 'neoki ga warui' (to be a grumpy waker). Your understanding of the difference between 'okiru' and 'okoru' (the more formal version) should start to develop. You will use 'okiru' to describe social trends or recurring problems. For instance, 'Kono chiiki de wa yoku kouzui ga okiru' (Floods often occur in this region). You are also expected to use the causative and passive forms correctly, though they are less common for this specific verb. The focus is on fluency and using 'okiru' to connect ideas about cause and effect in daily and semi-formal situations.

At the B2 level, you use 'okiru' to describe abstract phenomena and complex social issues. You'll see it in news articles, literature, and business discussions. You should be comfortable with the nuance that 'okiru' often implies a sudden or spontaneous emergence. You'll also learn to use it in the conditional forms like 'okireba' or 'okita ra.' For example, 'Moshi kaji ga okitara, dou shimasu ka?' (If a fire were to break out, what would you do?). You will also encounter 'okiru' in compound words and more sophisticated idioms. Your ability to choose between 'okiru,' 'hassei suru,' and 'shoujiru' based on the register (formal vs. informal) should be polished. You can discuss the 'rising' of movements, the 'occurrence' of economic shifts, and the 'awakening' of public consciousness. The focus is on precision and register-appropriate usage in both spoken and written Japanese.

At the C1 level, you explore the literary and philosophical nuances of 'okiru.' You will find it in classical-style modern literature or high-level academic texts where it might describe the 'arising' of thoughts, feelings, or historical eras. You'll understand the subtle difference between 'okiru' and its synonyms in terms of 'vividness'—'okiru' often feels more immediate and 'visible' than the more abstract 'shoujiru.' You will be able to use it in complex rhetorical structures and understand its use in proverbs or historical contexts. For example, discussing the 'Meiji Ishin' (Meiji Restoration) and the various 'okiru' (occurrences/risings) that led to it. You will also be sensitive to the rhythm of the sentence, choosing 'okiru' for its phonetic impact in speech. The focus is on mastery of nuance, style, and the ability to use the word in any context, from a casual chat to a formal lecture.

At the C2 level, your use of 'okiru' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You understand its deepest etymological roots and how it relates to the concept of 'being' (oku). You can use it to discuss complex metaphysical concepts, such as the 'arising' of the self or the 'occurrence' of phenomena in Buddhist philosophy. You are aware of rare or archaic uses of the word in classical literature (though it was often 'oku' in Old Japanese). You can play with the word in creative writing, using its dual meanings of 'waking' and 'happening' to create puns or metaphors. You can analyze why a writer chose 'okiru' over 'hassei suru' to convey a specific emotional tone. Your mastery includes all possible conjugations, including rare honorific forms if applicable in specific dialects or historical contexts. The focus is on total linguistic integration and the ability to use 'okiru' as a tool for sophisticated expression.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

起きる in 30 Sekunden

Okiru means to wake up or get up from bed in the morning.
It also means 'to occur' or 'to happen' for events and accidents.
It is an intransitive verb (Ichidan/ru-verb) used with the particle 'ga'.
Commonly used in daily routines and news reports about incidents.

The Japanese verb 起きる (okiru) is a fundamental word that every learner encounters early in their journey, yet it possesses a depth that spans from daily morning routines to complex societal events. At its most basic level, it refers to the act of waking up or getting out of bed. Unlike English, which often distinguishes between 'waking up' (opening your eyes) and 'getting up' (physically leaving the bed), okiru frequently covers both actions, though it leans more towards the physical act of rising. It is an intransitive verb, meaning the subject is the one doing the rising or the one to whom an event happens.

Physical Action: The most common usage is describing the transition from sleep to wakefulness. For example, 'Asa shichi-ji ni okiru' means 'I get up at 7 AM.' It implies the end of the sleep state and the beginning of the active state.

私は毎朝六時に起きることにしています。(I make it a rule to wake up at six every morning.)

Beyond the bedroom, okiru takes on a second, equally important meaning: 'to occur' or 'to happen.' This usage is typically reserved for spontaneous or significant events, often those that are unexpected or negative, such as accidents, miracles, or changes in state. When an earthquake 'happens,' Japanese speakers say 'jishin ga okiru.' This duality—rising from sleep and rising as an event—reflects a conceptual link in the Japanese mind between 'emergence' and 'existence.'

Event Occurrence: Used to describe incidents, accidents, or natural phenomena. 'Kousaten de jiko ga okita' (An accident occurred at the intersection).

In a more abstract sense, okiru can describe a state of being awake or staying up. If you stay up late into the night, you might use the phrase 'osoku made okite iru.' This highlights the continuous state of wakefulness rather than the single point of waking up. This versatility makes it a high-frequency verb in both casual conversation and formal news reporting. Whether you are discussing your morning coffee or a major political shift, okiru provides the linguistic framework to describe things coming into being or moving into an active state.

奇跡が起きるのを信じています。(I believe that a miracle will happen.)

Social Movements: It can also describe the rise of movements or trends. 'Atarashii buumu ga okiru' (A new boom is occurring/rising).

Using 起きる (okiru) correctly requires understanding its conjugation as an Ichidan (ru-verb) and the particles that typically accompany it. Because it is an intransitive verb, the subject (the person waking up or the event happening) is marked with the particle が (ga) or は (wa). You never 'okiru' an object; you simply 'okiru' yourself or an event 'okiru' by itself.

Time Particles: When specifying the time you wake up, use the particle に (ni). Example: 'Hachi-ji ni okimasu' (I wake up at 8:00).

明日は早く起きなければならない。(I have to wake up early tomorrow.)

For the 'occurrence' meaning, the location where the event happens is usually marked with で (de). For instance, 'Gakkou de mondai ga okita' (A problem occurred at school). It is important to note that okiru is often used in the te-iru form (okite iru) to describe the state of being awake. 'Mada okite iru no?' means 'Are you still awake?' This is a very common way to ask if someone has gone to bed yet.

Conjugation Basics: Dictionary: okiru; Polite: okimasu; Negative: okinai; Past: okita; Te-form: okite.

In potential form, okirareru (or the colloquial okireru) means 'can wake up.' This is frequently used when discussing difficulties with morning routines: 'Asa hayaku okirerenai' (I can't wake up early in the morning). The causative form okisaseru (to make someone wake up) is less common than simply using the transitive verb okosu. Understanding these nuances allows you to transition from simple 'I wake up' sentences to complex descriptions of events and states of being.

昨日、大きな地震が起きました。(A large earthquake occurred yesterday.)

Negative Usage: 'Nakanaka okinai' means 'doesn't wake up easily' or 'doesn't happen easily,' depending on the context.

In the daily life of a Japanese person, 起きる (okiru) is heard from the moment the sun rises. Parents shout 'Okite!' (Wake up!) to their children, and colleagues ask each other 'Kesa wa nan-ji ni okimashita ka?' (What time did you get up this morning?) as a form of small talk. It is a staple of 'asa-katsu' (morning activity) culture, where people discuss their routines for self-improvement.

Daily Life: Used in greetings, alarms, and discussing health. 'Neoki ga warui' (being grumpy upon waking) is a common self-description.

「もう起きてる？」「うん、さっき起きたよ。」("Are you awake yet?" "Yeah, I woke up a little while ago.")

Switching to the news, okiru becomes the standard verb for reporting incidents. Whether it's a traffic accident (koutsuu jiko), a fire (kaji), or a sudden change in the economy, the word signals that something has manifested in the real world. In anime and manga, you'll often hear it in dramatic contexts: 'Nani ga okite iru no?!' (What is happening?!) as a character witnesses a supernatural event. This usage highlights the 'occurrence' aspect, emphasizing the shock or suddenness of the event.

News & Media: Reporting on 'jiken' (incidents) or 'saigai' (disasters). It sounds slightly more personal or immediate than the technical 'hassei'.

Finally, in the workplace, okiru is used when discussing risks and troubleshooting. 'Mondai ga okinai you ni' (So that problems don't occur) is a common phrase in project management. It frames problems as things that 'rise up' to disrupt the flow of work. Hearing okiru in this context usually implies a need for vigilance or a retrospective analysis of why something went wrong. From the alarm clock to the boardroom, okiru is the heartbeat of Japanese activity and event tracking.

不測の事態が起きた時のために準備する。(Prepare for when unexpected situations occur.)

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing the intransitive 起きる (okiru) with the transitive 起こす (okosu). In English, 'wake up' can be both: 'I wake up' and 'I wake him up.' In Japanese, these are strictly separated. If you say 'Kodomo ga okiru,' the child wakes up on their own. If you say 'Kodomo o okosu,' you are the one shaking the child to wake them. Using okiru with the object particle o is a major grammatical red flag.

Intransitive vs. Transitive: Mistake: 'Kanojo o okita' (Incorrect). Correct: 'Kanojo o okoshita' (I woke her up) or 'Kanojo ga okita' (She woke up).

× 友達を起きた。 → ○ 友達を起こした。

Another mistake involves the distinction between okiru and mezameru. While both can mean 'to wake up,' mezameru is more literary or metaphorical, often referring to 'awakening' to a truth or a talent. Using mezameru for your daily 7 AM routine sounds overly dramatic, like a protagonist in a fantasy novel. Stick to okiru for your everyday life. Similarly, don't confuse okiru (to get up) with tatsu (to stand up). If you are sitting in a chair and stand up, use tatsu. Okiru implies rising from a lying position or a state of inactivity.

Okiru vs. Tatsu: Use 'okiru' for leaving bed/sleep. Use 'tatsu' for standing up from a chair or a seated position on the floor.

Finally, learners often struggle with the 'occurrence' meaning. They might use okiru for scheduled events like parties or concerts. This is incorrect. Okiru is for spontaneous, unplanned, or natural occurrences. For a party, use aru (there is/will be) or hirakareru (is held). If you say 'Paatii ga okiru,' it sounds like a party suddenly erupted like a volcano or an accident, which is likely not what you mean.

× 明日、パーティーが起きる。 → ○ 明日、パーティーがある。

To truly master 起きる (okiru), you must understand its neighbors in the Japanese lexicon. The most direct synonym for the 'occurrence' meaning is 起こる (okoru). While they are often interchangeable, okoru is slightly more formal and is almost exclusively used for 'to occur,' whereas okiru retains its strong 'to wake up' association. In written reports, you will see okoru more frequently.

Okiru vs. Okoru: Okiru: Common in speech, covers both waking up and occurring. Okoru: More formal, usually only means 'to occur.'

For the 'waking up' aspect, 目覚める (mezameru) is a beautiful alternative. It literally means 'to have one's eyes bud/open.' It focuses on the moment of consciousness returning. You might hear this in a song or a poem: 'Ai ni mezameru' (To awaken to love). Another related term is 起床する (kishou suru), which is the formal, technical term for 'rising.' You'll see this on medical forms, military schedules, or in very formal news broadcasts. It's the 'commence rising' of the Japanese language.

Formal Alternatives: Kishou suru: Formal 'rising.' Hassei suru: Technical 'occurrence' (e.g., 'A fire broke out'). Shoujiru: To result in/arise (e.g., 'Problems arose from the error').

新しい問題が生じた。(A new problem arose/was generated.)

When an event is specifically 'breaking out,' like a fire or a war, 発生する (hassei suru) or 勃発する (boppatsu suru) are used. Hassei suru is very common in weather reports (e.g., 'A typhoon has formed/occurred'). Boppatsu suru is much more intense, used for the sudden outbreak of war or riots. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right 'flavor' of occurrence for your specific situation, moving you from a basic learner to a nuanced communicator.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"不測の事態が起きた場合に備え、マニュアルを作成しました。"

Neutral

"明日は七時に起きる予定です。"

Informell

"まだ起きてんの？早く寝なよ。"

Child friendly

"お日様が昇ったよ、起きようね！"

Umgangssprache

"昨日、まじでやばいことが起きた。"

Wusstest du?

The kanji '起' consists of '走' (to run/move) and '己' (self), suggesting the self moving or starting to act.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɒkɪruː/

US /oʊkiːruː/

The pitch accent for 'okiru' is usually 'Atamadaka' (Type 1), meaning the first syllable is high and the rest are low: O-ki-ru.

Reimt sich auf

Dekiru (can do) Ikiru (to live) Tokiru (to cut - rare form) Sukiru (skill - katakana) Tsukiru (to be exhausted) Akiru (to get tired of) Mikiru (to abandon) Tojiru (to close)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'ru' like the English 'roo' with rounded lips.
Putting the stress on the second syllable (o-KI-ru).
Making the 'i' sound too long.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'okiru' (to put/place - though that is 'oku').
Failing to flap the 'r'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The kanji '起' is relatively simple (N4 level) and the furigana is straightforward.

Schreiben 3/5

The kanji '起' has 10 strokes and requires correct balance between the 'run' radical and the right side.

Sprechen 1/5

Very easy to pronounce and high frequency in daily life.

Hören 2/5

Easily recognized, though it can be confused with 'okoru' or 'oku' in fast speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

寝る (neru) 朝 (asa) 時間 (jikan) 私 (watashi) に (particle)

Als Nächstes lernen

起こす (okosu) 目覚める (mezameru) 事故 (jiko) 地震 (jishin) 発生する (hassei suru)

Fortgeschritten

惹起する (jakku suru) 生じる (shoujiru) 勃発する (boppatsu suru) 起床 (kishou) 縁起 (engi)

Wichtige Grammatik

Ichidan Verb Conjugation

Okiru -> Okinai, Okimasu, Okita, Okireba

Intransitive Verb (Jidoushi)

Mondai ga okiru (The problem occurs) - No direct object.

Te-iru for State

Mada okite iru (Still awake/staying up).

Potential Form (-reru)

Hayaku okireru (Can wake up early).

Nominalization with 'No'

Okiru no wa muzukashii (Waking up is difficult).

Beispiele nach Niveau

私は毎朝七時に起きます。

I wake up at seven every morning.

Uses the polite present form 'okimasu' and the time particle 'ni'.

明日は早く起きます。

I will wake up early tomorrow.

The adverb 'hayaku' (early) modifies the verb 'okimasu'.

今日は九時に起きました。

I woke up at nine today.

Uses the polite past form 'okimashita'.

まだ起きないでください。

Please don't wake up yet.

Uses the 'nai de kudasai' (please don't) construction.

お父さんはもう起きましたか。

Has your father woken up already?

A simple question using the past tense.

日曜日は十時に起きます。

On Sundays, I wake up at ten.

Shows a habitual action on a specific day.

早く起きてください。

Please wake up early.

Uses the 'te-form + kudasai' for a polite request.

私は六時に起きる。

I wake up at six.

The dictionary form used in casual speech.

昨日、道で事故が起きました。

Yesterday, an accident occurred on the road.

Introduces the 'to occur' meaning with 'ga' marking the event.

弟はまだ起きています。

My younger brother is still awake.

Uses 'te-iru' to show a continuous state of being awake.

明日早く起きられるか心配です。

I'm worried if I can wake up early tomorrow.

Uses the potential form 'okirareru' (can wake up).

夜中に大きな音がして、起きてしまった。

There was a loud noise in the middle of the night, and I ended up waking up.

Uses 'te-shimau' to indicate an unintentional action.

地震が起きたとき、何をしましたか。

What did you do when the earthquake occurred?

Uses 'toki' (when) with the past tense of 'okiru'.

コーヒーを飲んだので、なかなか起きられません。

I drank coffee, so I can't easily fall asleep (staying awake).

Here 'okirareru' implies the inability to stop being awake.

何かいいことが起きるかもしれません。

Something good might happen.

Uses 'kamoshirenai' (might) with the dictionary form.

冬は朝起きるのが大変です。

In winter, it's hard to get up in the morning.

Uses 'no' to nominalize the verb 'okiru'.

問題が起きる前に、解決しましょう。

Let's solve the problem before it occurs.

Uses 'mae ni' (before) with the dictionary form.

彼は寝起きが悪いことで有名だ。

He is famous for being a grumpy waker.

Uses the noun 'neoki' (waking up).

奇跡が起きるのをずっと待っています。

I have been waiting for a miracle to happen.

Uses 'no' to nominalize the clause 'kiseki ga okiru'.

不注意から事故が起きることが多い。

Accidents often occur due to carelessness.

Uses 'kara' to indicate the cause of the occurrence.

明日、何が起きても驚きません。

No matter what happens tomorrow, I won't be surprised.

Uses 'te-mo' (no matter what/even if).

早起きは三文の徳と言われています。

It is said that the early bird catches the worm.

Uses the compound noun 'haya-oki' (early rising).

もし火事が起きたら、すぐに逃げてください。

If a fire breaks out, please escape immediately.

Uses the 'tara' conditional form.

最近、変なことがよく起きるんです。

Lately, strange things have been happening often.

Uses 'n desu' for explanation/emphasis.

その不祥事が起きた原因を調査しています。

We are investigating the cause of that scandal.

Uses 'okita' as an adjective modifying 'gen'in' (cause).

この薬を飲むと、副作用が起きる可能性があります。

There is a possibility of side effects occurring if you take this medicine.

Uses 'to' conditional and 'kanousei' (possibility).

紛争が起きないように、対話を続けるべきだ。

We should continue dialogue so that conflict does not occur.

Uses 'youni' to express a purpose or goal.

彼女の歌声は、聴衆に感動を呼び起こした。

Her singing voice evoked deep emotion in the audience.

Uses the compound verb 'yobi-okosu' (to evoke/call forth).

予期せぬ事態が起きたが、冷静に対処した。

An unexpected situation occurred, but I handled it calmly.

Uses 'yokisenu' (unexpected) to describe the event.

景気回復の兆しが起き始めている。

Signs of economic recovery are beginning to appear/occur.

Uses the auxiliary verb 'hajimeru' (to start doing).

そんなことが起きるはずがない。

There is no way such a thing could happen.

Uses 'hazu ga nai' to express strong denial of possibility.

一晩中起きていたので、頭がぼんやりする。

Since I was awake all night, my head feels foggy.

Uses 'node' (because) to explain a state.

社会構造の変化に伴い、新たな摩擦が起きている。

With changes in social structure, new frictions are arising.

Uses 'ni tomonai' (along with) in a formal context.

彼はついに自らの使命に目覚め、行動を起こした。

He finally awakened to his mission and took action.

Uses 'mezameru' (awaken) and 'koudou o okosu' (take action).

歴史を振り返れば、同様の事件が何度も起きていることがわかる。

Looking back at history, one can see that similar incidents have occurred many times.

Uses 'ba' conditional and 'koto ga wakaru' (it is understood that).

その政策がどのような影響を及ぼし、何が起きるかは未知数だ。

What kind of impact that policy will have and what will happen is an unknown quantity.

Uses 'ka' to create embedded questions.

平穏な日常の裏で、静かに地殻変動が起きている。

Behind the peaceful daily life, crustal movements are quietly occurring.

Uses 'ura de' (behind/underneath) for contrast.

人々の心の中に、変革を求める波が起きつつある。

In the hearts of the people, a wave seeking transformation is currently arising.

Uses 'tsutsu aru' to indicate an ongoing process.

不測の事態が起きても動じない精神力が必要だ。

Mental strength that does not waver even if unexpected situations occur is necessary.

Uses 'te-mo' and 'doujinai' (unwavering).

その発見は、科学界に革命を巻き起こした。

That discovery stirred up a revolution in the scientific world.

Uses the compound verb 'maki-okosu' (to stir up/cause).

万象は縁によって起き、縁によって滅する。

All things arise through conditions and perish through conditions.

Uses 'okiru' in a philosophical/Buddhist context (Engi).

深層心理において、抑圧された感情が噴出する事態が起きている。

In deep psychology, a situation is occurring where suppressed emotions are erupting.

Uses highly academic psychological terminology.

その言説が社会にどのようなパラダイムシフトを惹起するか、注視すべきだ。

We should closely watch what kind of paradigm shift that discourse will induce in society.

Uses 'jakku' (惹起), a very formal synonym for 'okosu'.

自己の存在意義に目覚める瞬間、世界は一変する。

The moment one awakens to the meaning of their own existence, the world completely changes.

Uses 'mezameru' in an existential sense.

混沌の中から新たな秩序が起き上がるプロセスを記述する。

Describe the process by which a new order rises up from within chaos.

Uses 'oki-agaru' (to rise up) metaphorically.

言語の壁を越えて、共鳴が起きることは稀ではない。

It is not rare for resonance to occur across language barriers.

Uses 'mare de wa nai' (not rare) for formal negation.

微細な変化が連鎖し、やがて巨大なうねりが起きる。

Minute changes chain together, eventually giving rise to a giant swell.

Describes the 'butterfly effect' using 'okiru'.

歴史の必然として、その革命は起きるべくして起きた。

As a historical necessity, that revolution happened because it was meant to happen.

Uses 'beku shite' (as it should/meant to).

Häufige Kollokationen

朝早く起きる

事故が起きる

奇跡が起きる

問題が起きる

地震が起きる

変化が起きる

副作用が起きる

事件が起きる

ブームが起きる

摩擦が起きる

Häufige Phrasen

まだ起きてる？

早く起きなさい

起きてから寝るまで

何が起きたの？

やっと起きた

起きる時間だ

起きたばかり

二度寝して起きた

ぱっと起きる

起きたり寝たり

Wird oft verwechselt mit

起きる vs 起こす (okosu)

Okosu is transitive (waking someone else up), while okiru is intransitive (waking up oneself).

起きる vs 置く (oku)

Oku means to put or place. While they sound similar, the meanings are entirely different.

起きる vs 怒る (okoru)

Okoru means to get angry. Be careful with the pitch and the second syllable.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"寝起きが悪い"

To be in a bad mood or groggy upon waking up.

彼は寝起きが悪いので、朝は話しかけないほうがいい。

Informal

"寝ても覚めても"

Whether asleep or awake; all the time.

寝ても覚めても、彼女のことを考えている。

Literary/Emotional

"騒ぎを起こす"

To cause a disturbance or make a scene (using the transitive okosu).

彼はどこへ行っても騒ぎを起こす。

Neutral

"行動を起こす"

To take action (using the transitive okosu).

不満を言うだけでなく、行動を起こすべきだ。

Neutral

"奇跡を起こす"

To perform a miracle (transitive).

彼は最後の試合で奇跡を起こした。

Neutral

"風を巻き起こす"

To create a sensation or stir up a movement.

その新商品は市場に旋風を巻き起こした。

Metaphorical

"波風を立てる"

To cause trouble or disturb the peace (related to okosu).

彼はわざと波風を立てるようなことを言う。

Idiomatic

"目覚めがいい"

To feel refreshed and alert upon waking up.

今日は珍しく目覚めがいい。

Neutral

"身を起こす"

To raise one's body (e.g., sitting up from a lying position).

彼はベッドからゆっくりと身を起こした。

Formal/Literary

"再起を図る"

To aim for a comeback (using 'ki' from okiru).

倒産した後、彼は再起を図っている。

Formal/Business

Leicht verwechselbar

起きる vs 起こる (okoru)

They both mean 'to occur' and share the same kanji.

Okiru is more common in speech and includes 'waking up.' Okoru is more formal and only means 'to occur.'

事故が起きた (Speech) vs. 事故が起こった (Writing).

起きる vs 目覚める (mezameru)

Both mean 'to wake up.'

Mezameru is more poetic or refers to the moment eyes open. Okiru is the general term for getting up.

五時に起きた (I got up at 5) vs. 窓の光で目覚めた (I was awakened by the light).

起きる vs 立つ (tatsu)

Both involve moving to a vertical position.

Tatsu is standing up from a chair. Okiru is rising from bed or a lying position.

椅子から立つ (Stand from chair) vs. ベッドから起きる (Get out of bed).

起きる vs 生じる (shoujiru)

Both mean 'to arise' or 'to occur.'

Shoujiru is much more formal and often used for abstract results or problems arising from a cause.

誤解が生じる (A misunderstanding arises).

起きる vs 発生する (hassei suru)

Both mean 'to occur.'

Hassei suru is technical/scientific, used for things like typhoons, fires, or data errors.

台風が発生した (A typhoon formed).

Satzmuster

[Time] に起きます。

七時に起きます。

[Event] が起きました。

事故が起きました。

まだ起きています。

弟はまだ起きています。

[Reason] で [Event] が起きる。

不注意で事故が起きる。

早く起きられる。

明日は早く起きられる。

[Event] が起きる可能性がある。

副作用が起きる可能性がある。

[Noun] に目覚める。

使命に目覚める。

[Event] が起きるべくして起きた。

その事件は起きるべくして起きた。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Japanese.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'okiru' to wake someone else up. → Use 'okosu'.
Okiru is intransitive. You cannot 'okiru' an object. Say 'Tomodachi o okosu' instead of 'Tomodachi o okiru'.
Using 'okiru' for a planned event like a party. → Use 'aru' or 'hirakareru'.
Okiru is for spontaneous occurrences. A party is planned, so 'Paatii ga aru' is correct.
Conjugating as an u-verb (okiranai). → Okinai.
Okiru is an Ichidan (ru-verb). The negative is formed by dropping 'ru' and adding 'nai'.
Using 'okiru' to mean standing up from a chair. → Tatsu.
Okiru implies rising from a lying position. For a chair, 'tatsu' is the appropriate verb.
Confusing 'okiru' with 'okoru' (to get angry). → Check pitch accent.
While they sound similar, 'okoru' (to get angry) has a different pitch and meaning. Context usually helps, but be careful.

Tipps

Particle Choice

Always use 'ga' for the thing that occurs (e.g., jiko ga okiru). Use 'ni' for the time you wake up (e.g., 7-ji ni okiru). Using 'o' with 'okiru' is a common mistake; 'o' is for 'okosu'.

The 'Te-iru' State

Remember that 'okite iru' doesn't just mean 'is waking up,' it means 'is awake.' If you want to ask if someone is still up at 2 AM, say 'Mada okiteru?'

Morning Person Respect

Being a 'haya-oki' (early riser) is a virtue in Japan. Mentioning you wake up early in a job interview or introduction can leave a positive impression of diligence.

Casual Contractions

In casual speech, 'okite shimatta' (I accidentally woke up) becomes 'okichatta.' This is very common when talking about your sleep schedule with friends.

Kanji Nuance

The kanji '起' is used for both 'waking up' and 'occurring.' However, in very formal writing, '起こる' (okoru) might be used for events, while '起きる' is kept for physical rising.

Pitch Accent Alert

Pay attention to the high start of 'Okiru.' If you hear a low start, it might be a different word. Practicing the 'Atamadaka' (head-high) pattern is key.

Spontaneous vs Planned

Never use 'okiru' for a meeting or a party. It's only for things that 'rise up' unexpectedly or naturally. If you say 'Kaigi ga okiru,' it sounds like the meeting exploded into existence.

Potential Form

The potential form 'okirareru' is often shortened to 'okireru' in modern speech. Both are understood, but 'okireru' is more common among younger people.

Compound Verbs

Learn 'oki-agaru' (to sit up). It's very useful for describing physical movement in a doctor's office or during exercise.

Contextual Clues

If the subject is a person, it usually means 'wake up.' If the subject is an incident or disaster, it means 'occur.' Use the subject to instantly know the meaning.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'OK' + 'IRU'. When you wake up, you say 'I'm OK' and you are 'IRU' (to exist/be present). So, 'OK-IRU' means you are finally awake and present!

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine an 'O' shaped sun 'Kicking' (Ki) a 'Ruler' (Ru) off the bed. The ruler stands up straight—that's 'Okiru'!

Word Web

Asa (Morning) Beddo (Bed) Arāmu (Alarm) Jiko (Accident) Jishin (Earthquake) Me (Eyes) Neru (Sleep) Haya-oki (Early bird)

Herausforderung

Try to use 'okiru' in three different ways today: once for your morning routine, once to describe a state ('I'm awake'), and once to describe an event you saw in the news.

Wortherkunft

The word 'okiru' comes from the Old Japanese verb 'oku.' In classical Japanese, it was a 'Kami-Nidan' verb. The root 'ok-' is shared with words related to 'rising' or 'placing' (as in 'oku' - to put), suggesting a conceptual link between something being 'placed' or 'positioned' into existence.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To rise, to get up, or to start being in a certain state.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but be careful using 'okiru' for people in medical contexts (e.g., waking from a coma) where 'ishiki ga modoru' might be more appropriate.

English speakers often distinguish 'wake up' and 'get up,' but in Japanese, 'okiru' usually covers both unless you specifically use 'mezameru.'

The phrase 'Nanika ga okiru' is a common trope in mystery anime (e.g., Detective Conan). The song 'Asa ga Kita' (Morning has come) often features 'okiru' themes. The proverb 'Hayaoki wa sanmon no toku' (The early bird catches the worm).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Morning Routine

Nan-ji ni okiru?
Asa hayaku okiru
Mezamashi de okiru
Nidone shite okiru

News/Accidents

Jiko ga okita
Jishin ga okiru
Jiken ga okita
Kaji ga okiru

Late Night

Mada okite iru
Osoku made okite iru
Tetsuya de okite iru
Okite matte iru

Problems/Issues

Mondai ga okiru
Toraburu ga okita
Masatsu ga okiru
Henka ga okiru

Health/Symptoms

Hoteri ga okiru
Fukusayou ga okiru
Hossa ga okiru
Keiren ga okiru

Gesprächseinstiege

"普段、朝は何時に起きますか？ (What time do you usually wake up in the morning?)"

"休みの日は遅くまで起きていますか？ (Do you stay up late on your days off?)"

"最近、何か面白いことが起きましたか？ (Has anything interesting happened lately?)"

"朝、ぱっと起きるための秘訣はありますか？ (Do you have any secrets for waking up instantly in the morning?)"

"もし大きな地震が起きたら、どうしますか？ (What would you do if a big earthquake occurred?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日の朝、起きた時の気分はどうでしたか？ (How did you feel when you woke up this morning?)

最近起きた、一番驚いた出来事について書いてください。 (Write about the most surprising event that happened recently.)

理想のモーニングルーティンについて、何時に起きるかを含めて書いてください。 (Write about your ideal morning routine, including what time you would wake up.)

「早起きは三文の徳」という言葉について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about the saying 'The early bird catches the worm'?)

もし魔法が起きたら、どんな一日を過ごしたいですか？ (If a miracle/magic happened, what kind of day would you want to spend?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'okiru' is intransitive. To wake someone else up, you must use 'okosu.' For example, 'Tanaka-san o okosu' (I wake up Mr. Tanaka).

Both can mean 'to occur.' 'Okiru' is more common in daily conversation and also means 'to wake up.' 'Okoru' is more formal and usually only means 'to occur.' In news reports, 'okoru' or 'hassei suru' are preferred.

Use the te-iru form: 'Okite imasu' or casually 'Okiteru.' This describes the state of being awake rather than the act of waking up.

It is an Ichidan verb (ru-verb). This means you drop the 'ru' to conjugate it: oki-nai, oki-masu, oki-ta.

No. 'Okiru' is for unplanned or spontaneous events like accidents. For planned events, use 'aru' (there is) or 'okonawareru' (is held).

It literally means 'waking up is bad,' but it's an idiom used to describe someone who is grumpy, tired, or in a bad mood right after they wake up.

Use the potential form: 'Asa hayaku okirarenai' or 'okirerenai' (colloquial). This is a very common phrase for people who aren't morning persons.

Not exactly. 'Okiru' means to rise from a lying position (like bed). To stand up from a chair, you should use 'tatsu' or 'tachi-agaru'.

Yes, it is very common for earthquakes ('jishin ga okiru') and other sudden phenomena. It emphasizes the event happening.

The most common opposite is 'neru' (to sleep/go to bed). If you mean the opposite of an event occurring, you might use 'owaru' (to end).