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起きます

A2 verb #850 most common 10 min read

起きます

To wake up, get up.

okimasu Top 850

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic and literal meaning of 'okimasu': the daily routine of waking up. You will use it primarily in the polite present tense ('okimasu') and past tense ('okimashita') to describe your morning habits. The focus is on combining the verb with time expressions and the particle 'ni'. For example, 'Shichi-ji ni okimasu' (I wake up at 7). You will also learn to use it with 'maiasa' (every morning) and 'kesa' (this morning). The goal is simply to communicate when you or someone else starts their day. You don't need to worry about the 'occurrence' meaning yet; just focus on the physical act of getting out of bed.

At the A2 level, you expand your usage of 'okimasu' to include more complex sentence structures and the second meaning of 'to occur.' You will learn the dictionary form 'okiru' for casual speech and the 'te-form' ('okite') to link actions, such as 'Okite kara, kao o araimasu' (After waking up, I wash my face). You will also begin to see 'okiru' used in news contexts for accidents or problems ('Jiko ga okimashita'). A key challenge at this level is distinguishing 'okimasu' (intransitive) from 'okoshimasu' (transitive - to wake someone else up). You should be able to talk about your routine in detail and report simple events using this verb.

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple routines and start using 'okimasu' in various grammatical patterns like the potential form ('okieru' - can happen), the conditional form ('okitara' - if it happens), and the volitional form ('okiyou' - let's wake up). You will use 'okiru' to describe more abstract occurrences, such as a change in society or a sudden realization. You'll also become more proficient in using the 'te-iru' form ('okite iru') to describe the state of being awake. For example, 'Kare wa mada okite imasu' (He is still awake). At this stage, you should be comfortable using the verb in both formal and informal registers depending on the social context.

At the B2 level, 'okiru' is used in more sophisticated contexts, such as describing the 'rise' of a movement or the 'occurrence' of complex social phenomena. You will encounter it in passive and causative-passive forms, which are common in formal writing and literature. You'll also learn to distinguish it more clearly from synonyms like 'hassei suru' (to occur technically) or 'shoujiru' (to arise abstractly). You should be able to discuss the likelihood of events occurring using 'okiru' with various levels of certainty. Your understanding of the kanji '起' will also expand as you learn related compound words like 'kigyou' (starting a business) or 'saiki' (comeback).

At the C1 level, your use of 'okiru' becomes highly nuanced. You will understand its use in classical-style Japanese or high-level literature where it might describe the 'awakening' of a soul or the 'rising' of a spirit. You will be able to use it in complex argumentative structures, discussing the root causes of why certain events 'okiru' in society. You will also be familiar with idiomatic expressions and proverbs involving the word. Your ability to switch between 'okiru' and its more formal counterparts like 'kishou' or 'hassei' will be seamless, allowing you to match the exact tone required for academic or professional environments.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of 'okiru' and its entire word family. You can appreciate the subtle differences in tone when a poet chooses 'okiru' over 'mezameru' to describe a dawn. You can use the word in philosophical discussions about existence and occurrence. You are also fully aware of the historical development of the word and its kanji. Whether you are reading a 19th-century novel or a modern legal document, you can interpret the specific nuance of 'okiru' perfectly. You can also use it creatively in puns or sophisticated wordplay, showing a deep cultural and linguistic integration.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

起きます in 30 Seconds

Primary meaning: To wake up or get out of bed in the morning. Essential for daily routine conversations.
Secondary meaning: To occur or happen. Used for accidents, incidents, or unexpected events in formal and news contexts.
Grammar type: Ichidan (Group 2) verb. Conjugates simply by removing 'ru' and adding 'masu', 'te', etc.
Common confusion: Often confused with 'okimasu' (to put) or 'okoshimasu' (to wake someone else up).

The Japanese verb 起きます (okimasu) is a fundamental word that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its core, it represents the transition from a state of rest or inactivity to a state of action or being upright. For English speakers, it is most commonly translated as 'to wake up' or 'to get up.' However, its utility in the Japanese language extends far beyond the morning routine, encompassing the occurrence of events and the physical act of rising. Understanding the nuances of this word requires looking at both its literal physical meaning and its more abstract applications in daily life and formal reporting.

Physical Awakening: This is the most common usage for beginners. It refers to the moment you stop sleeping and open your eyes, as well as the subsequent act of physically leaving your bed or futon. In Japanese culture, where the distinction between 'waking up' and 'getting out of bed' is often blurred into one continuous action, 起きます covers both bases effectively.

私は毎朝６時に起きます。 (Watashi wa maiasa roku-ji ni okimasu.)
I wake up at 6 o'clock every morning.

Events and Occurrences: In a more formal or objective context, 起きます is used to describe an event taking place, particularly something unexpected or significant like an accident, a fire, or a miracle. In this sense, it translates to 'to happen' or 'to occur.' This usage is frequently seen in news reports and formal documents.

交差点で事故が起きました。 (Kousaten de jiko ga okimashita.)
An accident occurred at the intersection.

The kanji used for this word is 起. The left part of the character (走) means 'to run' or 'to move,' while the right part (己) represents a person. Together, they depict the image of a person rising or starting to move. This visual aid is incredibly helpful for learners to remember that the word implies an initiation of movement or a change from a static state to a dynamic one.

奇跡が起きると信じています。 (Kiseki ga okiru to shinjite imasu.)
I believe that a miracle will happen.

Social Contexts: In Japanese society, discussing when one wakes up is a standard part of small talk and self-introductions. It signals discipline and lifestyle habits. Using the polite form 起きます is appropriate in almost all daily interactions, from talking to colleagues to chatting with a host family. The dictionary form 起きる (okiru) is reserved for casual conversations with friends or family.

明日は早く起きなければなりません。 (Ashita wa hayaku okinakereba narimasen.)
I must wake up early tomorrow.

Finally, it is important to distinguish 起きます from its transitive counterpart 起こします (okoshimasu). While 起きます is something you do yourself (intransitive), 起こします is the act of waking someone else up or causing something to happen. Mastering this distinction is a key milestone for A2 level learners.

子供を８時に起こします。 (Kodomo o hachi-ji ni okoshimasu.)
I wake my child up at 8 o'clock.

Using 起きます (okimasu) correctly involves more than just knowing its definition; it requires a grasp of the particles that accompany it and the various forms it can take. As a Group 2 (Ichidan) verb, its conjugation is relatively straightforward, making it an excellent verb for practicing Japanese grammar patterns. The most critical particle to master with this verb is に (ni), which indicates the specific point in time when the action occurs.

Time Particles: When you specify a numerical time (like 7:00), you must use the particle に. However, for relative time words like 'every morning' (maiasa) or 'tomorrow' (ashita), the particle is usually omitted.

日曜日は１０時に起きます。 (Nichiyoubi wa juu-ji ni okimasu.)
On Sundays, I wake up at 10 o'clock.

Adverbial Usage: To describe *how* you wake up, you can use adverbs like 早く (hayaku - early) or 遅く (osoku - late). These adverbs modify the verb directly to provide more detail about the routine.

今朝はとても早く起きました。 (Kesa wa totemo hayaku okimashita.)
I woke up very early this morning.

The negative form 起きません (okimasen) is used to state that someone does not or will not wake up. In a question, 起きませんか (okimasen ka) can function as a polite suggestion or a simple inquiry about someone's intent to get up.

まだ起きませんか？ (Mada okimasen ka?)
Aren't you getting up yet?

The 'Occurrence' Pattern: When using the word to mean 'to happen,' the subject is usually marked by the particle が (ga). This highlights the event itself as the focus of the sentence.

問題が起きたら、連絡してください。 (Mondai ga okitara, renraku shite kudasai.)
If a problem occurs, please contact me.

Another common pattern involves the 〜てから (te-kara) structure, which means 'after doing [verb].' This is perfect for describing a sequence of morning actions, such as waking up and then drinking coffee or exercising.

起きてから、シャワーを浴びます。 (Okite kara, shawaa o abimasu.)
After waking up, I take a shower.

The word 起きます (okimasu) is ubiquitous in Japanese life, appearing in various registers and settings. From the intimate environment of a family home to the formal tone of a national news broadcast, its versatility makes it a staple of the language. Understanding where you will hear it helps you prepare for real-world listening situations.

In the Home: The most frequent place you'll hear this is during the morning rush. Parents use the command form 起きなさい (okinasai) or the casual 起きて (okite) to wake their children. You'll also hear family members asking each other, 'What time are you getting up tomorrow?' (明日何時に起きる？).

「もう８時だよ！早く起きなさい！」 (Mou hachi-ji dayo! Hayaku okinasai!)
'It's already 8 o'clock! Wake up quickly!'

News and Media: When you turn on the TV or radio in Japan, 起きました is the standard verb for reporting incidents. Whether it's a natural disaster like an earthquake (地震が起きました) or a social issue, the word provides an objective way to state that something has transpired.

昨夜、大きな火事が起きました。 (Sakuya, ookina kaji ga okimashita.)
A large fire occurred last night.

In anime and drama, 起きます is often used in emotional scenes. A character might say 'A miracle happened!' (奇跡が起きた！) or a sleepy character might mumble 'I'm awake...' (起きてるよ...) when they are clearly still half-asleep. These contexts help learners see the emotional weight the word can carry.

「奇跡は起きないから奇跡って言うんだよ。」 (Kiseki wa okinai kara kiseki tte iu ndayo.)
'They call it a miracle because miracles don't happen.'

Workplace and School: In professional settings, 起きます is used to discuss schedules or troubleshooting. A manager might ask if any problems occurred during the night shift, or a teacher might remind students to wake up early for an upcoming exam or school trip.

システムにエラーが起きています。 (Shisutemu ni eraa ga okite imasu.)
An error is occurring in the system.

Finally, you will encounter 起きます in literature and poetry, where it might be used metaphorically to describe the 'awakening' of a new era or a change in one's heart. This shows that while it's a simple A2-level word, its roots reach deep into the expressive capabilities of the Japanese language.

Even though 起きます (okimasu) is a relatively simple verb, English speakers often stumble over a few specific hurdles. These mistakes usually stem from homophones, transitivity issues, or the incorrect application of particles. By identifying these early, you can avoid common pitfalls and sound more natural in your Japanese communication.

The 'To Put' Homophone: One of the most frequent errors is confusing 起きます (okimasu - to wake up) with 置きます (okimasu - to put/place). While they sound identical in their polite forms, they are different verb types. 'To wake up' is an Ichidan verb (okiru), while 'to put' is a Godan verb (oku). This means their other forms, like the te-form, are different: 起きて (okite) vs 置いて (oite).

❌ 本を机に起きます。
✅ 本を机に置きます。
The first sentence sounds like 'I wake up the book on the desk.'

Intransitive vs. Transitive: As mentioned before, 起きます is intransitive. You cannot 'okimasu' someone else. If you want to say 'I wake up my friend,' you must use 起こします (okoshimasu). Using the wrong one is a very common mistake for A2 learners who are just beginning to navigate verb pairs.

❌ 友達を起きます。
✅ 友達を起こします。
You cannot use 'okimasu' with the object particle 'o' in this context.

Another mistake involves the particle で (de) versus に (ni). When talking about the time you wake up, always use に. When talking about the place where an event *happened* (using the 'occur' meaning), use で. Mixing these up can confuse the listener about whether you are talking about time or location.

❌ ７時で起きます。
✅ ７時に起きます。
Time markers for specific points require 'ni.'

Confusion with 'Mezameru': Learners sometimes use 目覚める (mezameru) when they simply mean 'to get out of bed.' Mezameru is more poetic or refers strictly to the moment of opening one's eyes or 'awakening' to a truth. For daily routines, 起きます is almost always the better choice.

❌ 毎朝６時に目覚めます。
✅ 毎朝６時に起きます。
The first sounds like you are having a spiritual awakening every morning at 6.

While 起きます (okimasu) is the 'go-to' word for waking up and occurring, Japanese offers several alternatives that provide more specific shades of meaning. Learning these will help you transition from a basic A2 level to a more nuanced B1/B2 level of expression.

目覚める (Mezameru): This word focuses strictly on the moment of 'awakening' or opening one's eyes. It is often used metaphorically, such as 'awakening to one's mission' or 'the awakening of spring.' Unlike okimasu, it doesn't necessarily imply getting out of bed.

彼はついに才能に目覚めた。 (Kare wa tsuini sainou ni mezameta.)
He finally awakened to his talent.

発生する (Hassei suru): This is a more technical or formal way to say 'to occur' or 'to break out.' It is commonly used for scientific phenomena, technical errors, or the outbreak of a disease. It sounds much more clinical than okiru.

新しいウイルスが発生しました。 (Atarashii uirusu ga hassei shimashita.)
A new virus has emerged/occurred.

起床する (Kishou suru): This is the formal, Sino-Japanese (Kango) version of 'to get out of bed.' You will see this on health forms, military schedules, or in formal announcements. It is rarely used in casual conversation but is essential for reading.

６時に起床してください。 (Roku-ji ni kishou shite kudasai.)
Please rise/get up at 6 o'clock (formal).

生じる (Shoujiru): Meaning 'to arise' or 'to result from,' this verb is used for abstract things like doubt, friction, or differences in opinion. It implies that something has come into existence as a result of something else.

誤解が生じました。 (Gokai ga shoujimashita.)
A misunderstanding has arisen.

By understanding these alternatives, you can choose the word that best fits the formality and specific context of your situation, making your Japanese sound more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"明朝は６時に起床いたします。"

Neutral

"私は毎朝７時に起きます。"

Informal

"明日、何時に起きる？"

Child friendly

"はーい、起きる時間だよ！"

Slang

"まだ起きてんの？"

Fun Fact

The kanji 起 contains the radical for 'run' (走), suggesting that waking up is the first step toward moving or running through one's day.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɒkiːmæs/

US /oʊkiːmɑːs/

The pitch usually starts high on 'o' and drops on 'ki', staying low for the rest of the word (Heiban or Atamadaka depending on dialect, but usually flat in standard polite speech).

Rhymes With

Ikimasu (to go) Kikimasu (to listen) Kakimasu (to write) Mimasu (to see - though shorter) Tabemasu (to eat) Dekimasu (can do) Arimasu (to be) Oshiemasu (to teach)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'u' too strongly (it should be 'okimas')
Confusing the pitch with 'okimasu' (to put)
Making the 'o' sound like 'u' (ukimasu)
Stress on the wrong syllable (o-KI-masu instead of O-kimasu)
Elongating the 'i' in 'ki' too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji is common but has many strokes. Hiragana is easy.

Writing 3/5

Writing the kanji '起' requires practice with stroke order.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Must distinguish from 'okimasu' (to put) by context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

寝る (neru) 時間 (jikan) 朝 (asa) に (particle) ます (polite ending)

Learn Next

起こす (okosu) 顔を洗う (kao o arau) 朝ご飯 (asagohan) 始まる (hajimaru) 終わる (owaru)

Advanced

発生 (hassei) 起床 (kishou) 生じる (shoujiru) 惹起 (jakki)

Grammar to Know

Ichidan Verb Conjugation

Okiru -> Okimasu, Okinai, Okite.

Particle 'ni' for Time

8-ji ni okimasu.

Te-form for Sequence

Okite, shawaa o abite, dekakemasu.

Potential Form

Ashita wa hayaku okireru.

Conditional 'tara'

Okita ra, oshiete kudasai.

Examples by Level

私は７時に起きます。

I wake up at 7 o'clock.

Uses the particle 'ni' for a specific time.

毎朝早く起きます。

I wake up early every morning.

'Maiasa' (every morning) does not need a particle.

明日は何時に起きますか？

What time will you wake up tomorrow?

Question form using 'ka'.

今日は８時に起きました。

I woke up at 8 today.

Past tense 'okimashita'.

まだ起きません。

I won't wake up yet / I'm not getting up yet.

Negative form 'okimasen'.

お父さんはもう起きましたか？

Has your father woken up already?

Uses 'mou' (already) with past tense.

６時に起きましょう。

Let's wake up at 6.

Volitional/Suggestive form 'mashou'.

昨日、遅く起きました。

Yesterday, I woke up late.

Adverb 'osoku' (late) modifying the verb.

起きてから、コーヒーを飲みます。

After waking up, I drink coffee.

Te-form + kara (after doing...).

昨日、どこかで事故が起きました。

An accident occurred somewhere yesterday.

Using 'okiru' to mean 'to occur'.

早く起きるのは難しいです。

Waking up early is difficult.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

明日、早く起きなければなりません。

I must wake up early tomorrow.

Must form: -nakereba narimasen.

田中さんはまだ起きていません。

Mr. Tanaka is not awake yet.

Te-iru form (state of being).

何かが起きそうな予感がします。

I have a feeling something is about to happen.

Sou (looks like/feels like) + okiru.

休日はゆっくり起きます。

On holidays, I wake up slowly/at my leisure.

Adverb 'yukkuri' (slowly).

火事が起きたら、外へ逃げてください。

If a fire occurs, please escape outside.

Conditional 'tara' (if/when).

明日は５時に起きられると思います。

I think I can wake up at 5 tomorrow.

Potential form 'okireru'.

事件が起きた時、私は家にいました。

When the incident occurred, I was at home.

Relative clause: 'okita toki'.

もっと早く起きようと決めました。

I decided to try to wake up earlier.

Volitional form 'okiyou' + to kimeta.

問題が起きないように注意してください。

Please be careful so that problems don't occur.

Negative dictionary form + you ni (so that...).

彼は奇跡が起きるのを待っています。

He is waiting for a miracle to happen.

Nominalizing the occurrence with 'no'.

一度起きたことは変えられません。

You cannot change what has already happened.

Past tense as a noun phrase.

早起きは三文の徳と言われています。

It is said that the early bird gets the worm.

Noun form 'hayaoki' in a proverb.

電車のトラブルで遅延が起きています。

Delays are occurring due to train trouble.

Te-iru form for ongoing occurrence.

不測の事態が起きる可能性は否定できません。

The possibility of unforeseen circumstances occurring cannot be denied.

Formal noun 'kanousei' (possibility).

この地域では頻繁に地震が起きます。

Earthquakes occur frequently in this region.

Adverb 'hinpan ni' (frequently).

紛争が起きるのを防がなければなりません。

We must prevent conflicts from occurring.

Transitive verb 'fusegu' (prevent) with 'okiru'.

彼は何が起きても動じない人です。

He is a person who is not shaken no matter what happens.

Te-mo (no matter what...).

新しい流行が起きる兆しがあります。

There are signs that a new trend is occurring/emerging.

Noun 'kizashi' (sign/omen).

その事件は社会に大きな衝撃を起した。

That incident caused a great shock to society.

Transitive 'okoshita' (caused).

一度起きた問題は再発しやすい。

Problems that have occurred once are likely to recur.

Compound verb 'saihatsu' (recurrence).

彼は眠りから覚めて、静かに起きた。

He awoke from sleep and rose quietly.

Literary style.

歴史的な変革が今、起ころうとしています。

A historical transformation is about to occur now.

Volitional + to shite iru (about to...).

些細な誤解から大きな争いが起きることもある。

It is also possible for great conflicts to arise from trivial misunderstandings.

Koto mo aru (sometimes happens).

奇跡が起きるのをただ待つのではなく、行動すべきだ。

Instead of just waiting for a miracle to happen, you should take action.

Bekida (should).

その政策によって、予期せぬ副作用が起きた。

The policy resulted in unexpected side effects.

Yoki-senu (unexpected).

彼の心の中に、ある決意が起きた。

A certain determination arose within his heart.

Metaphorical usage.

この現象がなぜ起きるのか、科学的な解明が待たれる。

Scientific clarification of why this phenomenon occurs is awaited.

Indirect question 'naze... no ka'.

社会不安が起きる背景には、経済的な格差がある。

Behind the occurrence of social unrest lies economic inequality.

Noun 'haikei' (background).

何かが起きる予兆を、彼は敏感に感じ取った。

He sensitively sensed the signs that something was about to happen.

Noun 'yochou' (omen/sign).

森羅万象、全ての事象は縁によって起きる。

All things in the universe, every phenomenon, occurs through causality/connection.

Philosophical/Buddhist terminology.

未曾有の危機が起きている今こそ、団結が必要だ。

Now that an unprecedented crisis is occurring, unity is necessary.

Mizou (unprecedented).

その一言が、彼女の魂に目覚めを起させた。

That single word caused an awakening in her soul.

Causative 'okisaseta'.

天変地異が起きるという迷信が広まった。

The superstition that natural disasters would occur spread.

Tenpenchii (natural disaster).

革命の火種は、民衆の不満から起きるべくして起きた。

The spark of revolution occurred as it was bound to, from the dissatisfaction of the people.

Beku-shite (bound to happen).

静寂の中に、微かな物音が起きた。

In the silence, a faint sound occurred/arose.

Poetic usage.

因果応報、自らが蒔いた種によって災いが起きる。

Retribution: calamity occurs because of the seeds one has sown oneself.

Yojijukugo (four-character idiom).

時代の潮流が、新たな文化を起き上がらせた。

The tide of the times caused a new culture to rise up.

Compound verb 'oki-agaraseta'.

Common Collocations

早く起きます

遅く起きます

事故が起きます

奇跡が起きます

問題が起きます

火事が起きます

地震が起きます

変化が起きます

パニックが起きます

６時に起きます

Common Phrases

早起きは三文の徳

起きてる？

起きたら連絡して

まだ起きてるの？

やっと起きた

起こさないで

起きたばかり

起きる時間

起きられない

起きて！

Often Confused With

起きます vs 置きます (okimasu)

Means 'to put'. Same polite form, but different dictionary form (oku) and te-form (oite).

起きます vs 起こします (okoshimasu)

Means 'to wake someone else up'. This is the transitive version.

起きます vs 怒ります (okorimasu)

Means 'to get angry'. Sounds similar but the 'ko' is different.

Idioms & Expressions

"寝ても覚めても"

Awake or asleep; all the time. Used to describe an obsession or constant thought.

寝ても覚めても、彼女のことを考えている。

Literary

"起死回生"

Resuscitation from the brink of death; making a miraculous comeback.

起死回生の一打で逆転勝利した。

Formal/Sports

"縁が起きる"

A connection or relationship begins to form.

不思議な縁が起きた。

Poetic

"騒ぎを起こす"

To cause a scene or a disturbance.

彼はいつも騒ぎを起こす。

Neutral

"風を起す"

To cause a stir or create a new trend/movement.

新しいビジネスで業界に風を起したい。

Business

"波風を立てる"

To cause trouble or disturb the peace (literally: to raise wind and waves).

波風を立てたくないので、黙っています。

Social

"火の無い所に煙は立たぬ"

Where there's smoke, there's fire. (Literally: Smoke doesn't rise where there is no fire).

噂が出るのは、何かが起きたからだろう。

Proverb

"身を起す"

To establish oneself in the world or start a career.

彼は一代で身を起した実業家だ。

Formal

"呼び起こす"

To rouse, to awaken (memories, feelings).

その歌は古い記憶を呼び起こした。

Literary

"起き上がり小法師"

A self-righting doll; a symbol of resilience (falling seven times, getting up eight).

人生は起き上がり小法師のようにありたい。

Cultural

Easily Confused

起きます vs 目覚める

Both mean 'to wake up'.

'Okiru' includes getting out of bed; 'Mezameru' is just opening eyes or spiritual awakening.

６時に目が覚めたが、７時に起きた。

起きます vs 起床

Both mean 'to get up'.

'Kishou' is a formal noun/verb used in schedules; 'Okiru' is for daily speech.

軍隊では６時に起床する。

起きます vs 発生

Both mean 'to occur'.

'Hassei' is technical/formal (errors, viruses); 'Okiru' is for general events (accidents, miracles).

バグが発生した。

起きます vs 立つ

Both involve being upright.

'Tatsu' is to stand; 'Okiru' is to transition from lying down to being awake/up.

椅子から立ち上がる。

起きます vs 生じる

Both mean 'to arise'.

'Shoujiru' is for abstract results (misunderstandings); 'Okiru' is for concrete events.

差が生じた。

Sentence Patterns

[Time] に起きます。

６時に起きます。

[Adverb] 起きます。

早く起きます。

起きてから、[Action]。

起きてから、顔を洗います。

[Event] が起きました。

事故が起きました。

[Time] に起きられます。

５時に起きられます。

起きるために、[Action]。

起きるために、アラームをセットします。

[Event] が起きる可能性があります。

問題が起きる可能性があります。

[Event] が起ころうとしている。

変化が起ころうとしている。

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High. One of the top 500 most used verbs in Japanese.

Common Mistakes

Using 'okimasu' to wake someone else up. → Okoshimasu
Okimasu is intransitive (I wake up). Okoshimasu is transitive (I wake you up).
Confusing 'okite' (wake up) with 'oite' (put). → Okite
Okite comes from okiru. Oite comes from oku. They sound similar but have very different meanings.
Saying '7-ji de okimasu'. → 7-ji ni okimasu
Specific time points always take the particle 'ni', not 'de'.
Using 'okiru' for a planned party. → Paatii ga arimasu
'Okiru' is for incidents or occurrences, not scheduled social events.
Conjugating 'okiru' as a Godan verb (e.g., 'okimasu' -> 'okita' is correct, but 'okitta' is wrong). → Okita
It is an Ichidan verb, so you just drop 'ru' and add 'ta'. No double 't'.

Tips

Ichidan Mastery

Since 'okiru' is an Ichidan verb, its conjugation is your best friend. Just drop 'ru' and add whatever you need. It's much easier than Godan verbs!

Early Bird Virtue

Mentioning you wake up early in Japan is a great way to make a good impression. It suggests you are 'kichinto shite iru' (proper and organized).

Transitive Pair

Always learn 'okiru' and 'okosu' together. 'Okiru' is self-action; 'Okosu' is action on others. This pair is a classic example of Japanese transitivity.

Morning Greetings

After you 'okiru', the first thing you say is 'Ohayou gozaimasu'. These two are culturally inseparable.

Kanji Components

The 'run' radical in '起' is also in 'hashiru' (to run). Think of waking up as starting the race of your day.

Event Occurrence

Use 'okiru' for sudden events. For planned events like a party or a meeting, use 'arimasu' or 'okonawaremasu' instead.

The 'O' Shape

Imagine your head is the 'O' in 'Okiru' popping up from the pillow.

Asking Friends

Use 'Okiteru?' as a text message to see if a friend is available to chat late at night.

Daily Practice

Every morning when you get up, say 'Okimashita!' to yourself to reinforce the past tense of the action.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'O' (the sun) 'KI' (key) opening the door to your day. 'O-KI-masu' is the key to waking up.

Visual Association

Imagine a person forming the shape of the kanji '起' while stretching in bed as the sun rises.

Word Web

Morning Alarm Bed Sun Accident Miracle Routine Coffee

Challenge

Try to say 'Ashita nan-ji ni okimasu ka?' to a Japanese speaker or your teacher today.

Word Origin

The word comes from the Old Japanese verb 'oku', which meant to rise or to be awake. Over time, it evolved into the Ichidan verb 'okiru' in Middle Japanese.

Original meaning: To rise from a horizontal position or to emerge into a state of existence.

Japonic

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to confuse it with 'okimasu' (to put) in business settings.

English speakers distinguish between 'waking up' (opening eyes) and 'getting up' (leaving bed). Japanese 'okimasu' covers both, which can lead to slight ambiguity.

Rajio Taiso (Radio Calisthenics) - a morning tradition. The proverb 'Hayaoki wa sanmon no toku'. Anime tropes of characters running to school with toast in their mouth because they 'osoku okimashita'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Morning Routine

何時に起きますか？
早く起きました。
目覚まし時計で起きます。
起きてすぐ水を飲みます。

Reporting Accidents

事故が起きました。
火事が起きました。
何が起きたんですか？
大変なことが起きました。

Checking Status

もう起きていますか？
まだ起きていません。
赤ちゃんが起きました。
夜中に起きてしまいました。

Abstract Events

奇跡が起きました。
問題が起きています。
変化が起きるでしょう。
いいことが起きますように。

Work/Schedules

明日は早起きです。
起きるのが遅くなりました。
エラーが起きました。
会議中に問題が起きた。

Conversation Starters

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

"今朝は何時に起きましたか？ (What time did you wake up this morning?)"

"明日は早く起きなければなりませんか？ (Do you have to wake up early tomorrow?)"

"休日はいつも何時に起きますか？ (What time do you always wake up on holidays?)"

"朝、起きるのは得意ですか？ (Are you good at waking up in the morning?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の朝、何時に起きましたか？起きてから何をしましたか？ (What time did you wake up this morning? What did you do after waking up?)

理想の朝のルーティンについて書いてください。 (Write about your ideal morning routine.)

最近、あなたの周りで起きた面白いニュースは何ですか？ (What is some interesting news that happened around you recently?)

「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 phrase 'The early bird gets the worm'?)

もし奇跡が起きるなら、どんなことが起きてほしいですか？ (If a miracle were to happen, what would you want to happen?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It means both. In Japanese, the distinction isn't as sharp as in English. It covers the whole process of ending sleep and rising.

You would say '7-ji ni me ga sameta kedo, 8-ji ni okita.' Here, 'me ga sameta' is 'eyes opened' and 'okita' is 'got up'.

No, you would use 'okoshimasu' (transitive) to wake up your dog. 'Inu o okoshimasu'.

It is a Group 2 (Ichidan) verb. This is important for conjugation (e.g., okinai, okite).

Use 'de' for the location of an event: 'Toukyou de jiko ga okimashita'.

Yes, like 'kiseki' (miracle), but it is very common for negative things like 'jiko' (accident) or 'kaji' (fire).

'Okiru' is the action of waking up. 'Okite iru' is the state of being awake.

Use the potential negative: 'Okiraremasen' or 'Okirarenai'.

No, 'hayaoki' is a noun meaning 'early rising'. You can say 'hayaoki o suru' (to do early rising).

It means 'the thing that happened' or 'what occurred'.