〜出す

The Japanese auxiliary verb 〜出す (dasu) is a cornerstone of B1-level grammar, primarily used to indicate the sudden or spontaneous onset of an action. While the independent verb 出だす means 'to put out' or 'to take out,' when attached to the ren'youkei (stem) of another verb, it shifts its meaning to describe the moment something starts happening with a sense of suddenness, outward movement, or breakthrough. This grammar point is essential for English speakers because it captures a nuance that is often translated as 'burst out,' 'suddenly start,' or 'break into' in English, providing a much more vivid and dynamic description of an event than the neutral start-verb 始はじめる (hajimeru).

Spontaneous Action

This auxiliary is used when an action begins unexpectedly or without prior preparation. It often describes natural phenomena or emotional outbursts that seem to 'erupt' from within.

One of the most common ways you will encounter this is with weather or physical reactions. For instance, when it suddenly begins to rain, a Japanese speaker will say 降ふり出だす (furidasu). This implies that the rain didn't just 'start' according to a schedule; it began unexpectedly. Similarly, if a baby suddenly starts crying, we use 泣なき出だす (nakidasu). The 'outward' nuance of the kanji 出でる (to go out) is still felt here, as if the tears or the rain are physically coming 'out' into the world from a hidden state.

Outward Manifestation

The action moves from an internal or hidden state to an external, visible state. This is why it is frequently used with verbs of movement and sound.

Furthermore, ~dasu is used in creative or intellectual contexts to describe 'bringing something forth.' For example, 生うみ出だす (umidasu) means to create or produce something new, like an idea or a work of art. In this context, the 'suddenness' might be less prominent, but the 'emergence' is the key focus. When you use ~dasu, you are highlighting the transition from 'nothing' to 'something' or from 'stillness' to 'motion.' It is a very active, energetic auxiliary verb that adds a layer of drama and immediacy to Japanese sentences, making your descriptions sound more natural and emotionally resonant to native ears.

In summary, use ~dasu when you want to emphasize that an action started suddenly, especially if it was a surprise or an outward movement. It is the linguistic equivalent of a lightbulb turning on or a racehorse leaping from the gate. It captures the 'pop' of an action beginning.

To use 〜出す (dasu) correctly, you must follow a specific grammatical pattern. It attaches to the Masu-stem (also known as the Ren'youkei or continuative form) of a verb. This is the part of the verb that remains when you remove the ます from its polite form. For example, 歌うたいます (to sing) becomes 歌うたい, and adding 出だす gives you 歌うたい出だす (to burst into song).

The Formula

[Verb Stem] + 出す. The resulting compound verb conjugates as a Group 1 (Godan) verb ending in -su.

The conjugation of the resulting compound verb follows the standard rules for verbs ending in -su. In the polite form, it becomes 出しだます; in the past tense, 出しただ; in the negative, 出さないだ; and in the te-form, 出してだ. This versatility allows you to describe sudden starts in any tense or level of politeness. However, it is important to note that ~dasu is typically used with verbs that describe an observable action or a change in state. It is rarely used with stative verbs like ある (to exist) or わかる (to understand).

When using ~dasu, the subject is often something that acts of its own accord or a natural force. Common pairings include 走はしり出だす (to start running), 怒おこり出だす (to start getting angry/burst into anger), and 笑わらい出だす (to burst out laughing). These pairings emphasize the 'suddenness' and the 'outward' nature of the action. If you use 歩あるき出だす (to start walking), it implies a deliberate or sudden first step, often toward a specific destination or as part of a sudden decision.

Intransitive vs. Transitive

~Dasu is often used with intransitive verbs (verbs without a direct object) to describe natural occurrences, but it can also be used with transitive verbs to show a sudden initiation of an action toward an object.

In literary contexts, you might see ~dasu used to describe the sun appearing (照てり出だす) or a flower blooming. In these cases, it highlights the moment the beauty or light becomes visible to the world. Remember that because ~dasu implies a sudden change, it is often accompanied by adverbs like 急きゅうに (suddenly), 突如とつじょ (abruptly), or いきなり (all of a sudden). These adverbs reinforce the dynamic nature of the auxiliary and help set the scene for the listener.

Mastering the stem + dasu construction is vital for moving beyond basic 'Subject-Verb-Object' sentences into more descriptive, native-like storytelling. It allows you to control the 'pacing' of your narrative, showing the reader exactly when an action 'broke through' the silence or stillness of a scene.

The auxiliary 〜出す (dasu) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in everything from weather forecasts to emotional conversations. Understanding its real-world context will help you recognize when to use it over other 'start' verbs. One of the most common places you will hear it is in the media, specifically during weather reports. Meteorologists frequently use 降ふり出だす (furidasu) to describe the exact moment precipitation begins. If you are watching the news and they say '午後から雨が降り出すでしょう,' they are predicting that the rain will 'break out' or start falling in the afternoon.

In Parenting and Childcare

Parents often use ~dasu to describe their children's sudden behaviors. '泣き出した' (started crying) or '走り出した' (started running) are common phrases used to explain a child's unpredictable movements.

In social settings, you'll hear it used to describe group dynamics. For example, if a party is quiet and then someone tells a joke, people might 笑わらい出だす (burst out laughing). This captures the infectious, sudden nature of laughter. Similarly, in a heated argument, someone might 怒おこり出だす (burst into anger). The use of ~dasu here conveys the emotional intensity and the sudden shift in the atmosphere of the room.

In business and creative fields, the word 生うみ出だす (umidasu) is a key term for innovation. Companies want to '生み出す' new value or new products. This isn't just about 'starting' production; it's about the 'creation' and 'bringing forth' of something that didn't exist before. You might hear a CEO say, '新しい市場を生み出す' (To create/bring forth a new market). Here, the 'outward' movement of ~dasu signifies the expansion and the manifestation of a vision into reality.

Commuter Life

Train station announcements or descriptions of traffic often use ~dasu. A train '動き出す' (starts moving) indicates that the stationary vehicle has just begun its journey.

Finally, in literature and songs, ~dasu is used to add poetic flair to the start of actions. A song might describe how a heart '動き出す' (starts beating/moving) when meeting a loved one. The suddenness and the 'emergence' of feeling are perfectly captured by this auxiliary. By paying attention to these contexts, you'll see that ~dasu is much more than just a synonym for 'begin'; it's a way to color the start of any action with energy, surprise, and direction.

While 〜出す (dasu) is a powerful tool, learners often encounter pitfalls when deciding between it and other 'starting' auxiliaries. The most common mistake is overusing it as a direct replacement for 始はじめる (hajimeru). While both mean 'to start,' they are not interchangeable. 始はじめる is neutral and focuses on the beginning of a process that has duration. ~Dasu focuses on the suddenness and the outward manifestation. For example, you 'start' studying for an exam (勉強べんきょうし始はじめる), but you wouldn't say 勉強べんきょうし出だす unless you suddenly, impulsively grabbed a book and began reading in the middle of a conversation.

The 'Internal' Action Error

Avoid using ~dasu with internal, non-observable mental states. You cannot 'suddenly start' knowing something with ~dasu. For example, 'wakari-dasu' is very rare compared to 'wakari-hajimeru'.

Another frequent error is using ~dasu for actions that are intentional and planned. If you have been preparing to give a speech and then you start speaking, you should use 話はなし始はじめる. Using 話はなし出だす implies that you suddenly started talking, perhaps interrupting someone or breaking a silence. The nuance of 'suddenness' in ~dasu can sometimes come across as rude or startling if used in the wrong social context. If you want to describe someone starting to speak in a natural, expected way, stick with ~hajimeru.

Learners also sometimes forget the transitive/intransitive balance. While ~dasu itself is a transitive verb in its independent form, as an auxiliary, it can be attached to both transitive and intransitive verbs. However, the resulting compound verb always follows the conjugation of a Godan verb. A common mistake is trying to conjugate the first verb in the compound (e.g., *naita-dasu instead of naki-dasu). Always use the stem!

Duration vs. Onset

~Dasu cannot be used to describe the ongoing progress of starting. It is about the 'click' at the beginning. You cannot say 'I am in the middle of starting to rain' with ~dasu.

Finally, be careful with 'shaberidasu' vs 'hanashidasu'. While both mean to start speaking, 'shaberidasu' often carries a nuance of starting to chatter or talk at length, whereas 'hanashidasu' might be used for starting to tell a specific story. Choosing the right base verb is just as important as choosing the right auxiliary. By avoiding these common traps—overuse, internal states, and planned actions—you will use ~dasu with the precision of a native speaker.

To truly master 〜出す (dasu), you must compare it to other Japanese expressions that denote the beginning of an action. Japanese is rich with such nuances, and choosing the right one depends on the speed, intention, and nature of the action. The most obvious alternative is 〜始める (hajimeru). As discussed, ~hajimeru is the 'default' start. It is neutral, focuses on the duration of the action, and can be used with almost any verb. If you are starting a project, a hobby, or a meal, ~hajimeru is usually the safer choice.

~始める (Hajimeru)

Focuses on the commencement of a long-term process. Neutral and planned. Example: 'Benkyou-hajimeru' (Start studying).

Another similar expression is 〜かける (kakeru). This auxiliary means 'to start doing but not finish' or 'to be on the verge of doing.' While ~dasu describes the sudden 'burst' into action, ~kakeru describes an incomplete action or an action that was interrupted at the beginning. For example, 'ii-kakeru' means to start saying something but then stop mid-sentence. In contrast, 'ii-dasu' means to suddenly start speaking or to bring up a topic for the first time.

~かける (Kakeru)

Indicates an action that has begun but is incomplete, or is just about to start. Example: 'Tabe-kakeru' (Start eating but leave it unfinished).

Then there is 〜かかる (kakaru), which is often used for natural processes or automatic actions that are just beginning to happen. It is more passive than ~dasu. For instance, 'toori-kakaru' means to happen to pass by. It lacks the sudden 'burst' energy of ~dasu. There is also 〜そびれる (sobireru), which means to 'miss the chance to start.' This is the opposite of ~dasu, where the action starts successfully and suddenly.

In formal writing, you might see 〜し出す (shidasu) replaced by 〜を開始する (wo kaishi suru). This is a Sino-Japanese (Kango) expression that sounds more academic or professional. While ~dasu is perfect for stories and daily conversation, 'kaishi suru' is preferred in news reports for scheduled events. For example, 'shiai ga kaishi sareta' (the match was started). You would only use 'shiai ga ugoki-dashita' if the match was previously stalled and suddenly resumed with high energy. By understanding these subtle differences, you can choose the exact 'start' that fits your situation.

Summary of Alternatives

- ~Hajimeru: Neutral, planned, long-term.
- ~Dasu: Sudden, spontaneous, outward.
- ~Kakeru: Incomplete, interrupted.
- ~Kaishi suru: Formal, technical, scheduled.