Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 起きる (okiru). This word means 'to wake up'. When you sleep, and then your eyes open, you wake up! You can say, 'I wake up.' In Japanese, you say, 'Watashi wa okimasu.' This is for waking up in the morning. It's a very important word for your day!
The verb 起きる (okiru) is used when you stop sleeping. It means 'to wake up' or 'to get up'. For example, 'I wake up at 7 AM.' In Japanese, this is 'Watashi wa shichi-ji ni okimasu.' You can also use it to mean 'to happen'. Like, 'An accident happened.' In Japanese, 'Jiko ga okimashita.' It's a useful verb for daily life!
起きる (okiru) is a fundamental Japanese verb with two main meanings: 'to wake up/get up' and 'to occur/happen'. When talking about your morning routine, you'd say 'I wake up early,' which is 'Hayaku okimasu.' When referring to an event, like 'a problem occurred,' you'd use the past tense: 'Mondai ga okimashita.' Understanding the context helps you choose the right meaning.
The verb 起きる (okiru), a Group 2 verb, is versatile. Primarily, it signifies the act of waking from sleep or rising from bed ('to get up'). For instance, 'He gets up at dawn' translates to 'Kare wa yoake ni okimasu.' However, it also carries the meaning of 'to occur' or 'to happen,' often used for events or phenomena: 'A strange phenomenon occurred' becomes 'Fushigi na genshou ga okimashita.' Pay attention to context to differentiate these uses.
起きる (okiru) serves as a core verb encompassing both the personal act of awakening and the broader sense of an event transpiring. Its usage ranges from the mundane ('I woke up feeling refreshed' - 'Sei-sei shite okimashita') to more abstract contexts ('A new trend is emerging' - 'Atarashii senkou ga okite imasu'). The kanji 起 itself implies initiation, lending a sense of commencement to its meanings, whether personal or societal.
The verb 起きる (okiru), derived from the kanji 起 ('to rise'), embodies a spectrum of meanings from the literal cessation of sleep to the abstract commencement of phenomena. Its intransitive nature highlights the subject's agency or the spontaneous nature of an event. Consider its use in describing natural phenomena ('The tide is rising' - 'Choukou ga okite iru') or societal shifts ('A revolution occurred' - 'Kakumei ga okimashita'). The verb's etymological roots in 'rising' and 'beginning' underpin its diverse applications across personal, social, and natural contexts.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 起きます (okiru) is a verb meaning 'to wake up' or 'to get up'.
- It can also mean 'to occur' or 'to happen', especially for events.
- It's a Group 2 (ru-verb) with regular conjugations.
- Distinguish it from 起こす (okosu - to wake someone else up).
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese verb 起きます (起きる). You'll hear this one all the time! It's your go-to verb for talking about waking up and getting out of bed. Think of it as the moment your day officially begins after a good night's sleep. It's a fundamental part of daily life in Japan, just like in any other country!
But wait, there's more! While its primary meaning is about waking and rising, 起きます (起きる) can also be used in a more abstract sense. It can mean 'to happen' or 'to occur'. For example, you might hear about an 'incident' or 'event' occurring using a form of this verb. So, it's not just about your morning routine; it can also describe things happening in the world around you. Pretty versatile, right?
We'll explore how to use it in different situations, from your personal wake-up call to describing events. Understanding its nuances will really boost your Japanese skills. Get ready to become a master of 起きます (起きる)!
The verb 起きます (起きる) comes from the kanji 起, which means 'to rise', 'to get up', or 'to begin'. This character itself has a long history, tracing back to ancient Chinese inscriptions. Its original form often depicted a person standing up or a plant sprouting from the ground, both symbolizing a beginning or an upward movement.
In Japanese, the verb form 'okiru' (起きる) became the standard way to express the act of rising or waking. It's related to other verbs and nouns that share the 'ki' sound and the concept of rising, such as 起こす (okosu - to cause to rise, to wake someone up) and 起動 (kidou - activation, startup). The evolution of the language saw 起 (ki) solidify its meaning related to initiation and elevation.
Historically, the act of 'getting up' was significant. It marked the transition from rest to activity, from night to day. Therefore, verbs related to rising and waking often held important cultural and social meanings. The kanji 起 itself is used in many words related to starting something new, like 起業 (kigyou - starting a business), highlighting its core meaning of initiation and commencement.
The most common use of 起きます (起きる) is for waking up. You'll often hear it paired with time expressions. For instance, asa okiru (朝起きる) means 'to wake up in the morning', and roku-ji ni okiru (6時に起きる) means 'to wake up at 6 o'clock'. It's the standard, neutral way to say you're waking up.
Another frequent usage is 'to get up' or 'to get out of bed'. So, after you wake up, you then okiru from bed. It describes the physical act of rising. You might say, asa hayaku okiru (朝早く起きる) – 'to get up early in the morning'. This is distinct from okosu (起こす), which means 'to wake someone else up' or 'to cause something to happen'.
Beyond the literal, 起きます (起きる) can also mean 'to occur' or 'to happen'. This is often seen in more formal or news contexts. For example, jiken ga okiru (事件が起きる) means 'an incident occurs'. Or kaze ga okiru (風が起きる) can mean 'the wind rises'. Remember, when it means 'to occur', it's usually about something happening spontaneously or without direct human intervention.
While 起きます (起きる) is a straightforward verb, it appears in phrases that add color to your Japanese. Let's look at some!
1. 朝飯前 (asameshi mae): Literally 'before breakfast'. This idiom means something is very easy to do, so easy you can do it before you even eat breakfast. Example: Kono shigoto wa asa meshi mae da yo. (This job is a piece of cake.)
2. 寝ても覚めても (netemo sametemo): 'Whether sleeping or waking'. This phrase describes thinking about something constantly, day and night. Example: Kanojo wa kare no koto o netemo sametemo omotte iru. (She thinks about him constantly.)
3. 腹が立つ (hara ga tatsu): 'Stomach stands up'. This means to get angry or lose one's temper. The 'tatsu' here is related to 'okiru' (to rise/stand up). Example: Ano hito no iu koto ni hara ga tatsu. (I get angry at what that person says.)
4. 事を起こす (koto o okosu): 'To cause an event/trouble'. This is the transitive counterpart, meaning to initiate something, often something negative like trouble or a scandal. Example: Kare wa itsumo nanika o okosu. (He always causes trouble.)
5. 眠い目をこする (nemui me o kosuru): 'To rub sleepy eyes'. While not directly using 起きます, it's the action often associated with the moment *before* you fully wake up. Example: Nemui me o kosutte, asa no shigoto o hajimeta. (Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I started my morning work.)
起きます (起きる) is a Group 2 verb (ichidan or ru-verb). This makes conjugation quite straightforward! The dictionary form is 起きる (okiru). The polite form is 起きます (okimasu). For the past tense, it's 起きた (okita) (casual) and 起きました (okimashita) (polite).
The negative form is 起きない (okinai) (casual) and 起きません (okimasen) (polite). The potential form ('can wake up') is 起きられる (okirareru), and the volitional form ('let's wake up') is 起ころう (okirou).
Pronunciation is key! In standard Japanese, the 'o' sounds are like the 'o' in 'go', and the 'ki' is like 'key'. The 'ru' at the end of the dictionary form is often lightly pronounced, almost like a soft 'doo'.
IPA Pronunciation:
Dictionary form (起きる): /o̞.ki.ɾɯᵝ/
Polite form (起きます): /o̞.ki.maꜜsɯ/
Rhyming words: While direct rhymes are tricky due to Japanese syllable structure, words ending in '-iru' or '-riru' might sound similar, like miru (見る - to see) or hairu (入る - to enter).
Fun Fact
The character 起 is composed of 走 (shou - run) and 己 (ko - self), suggesting the idea of 'running oneself up' or 'getting oneself going'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'uh-KIM-ruh', with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Sounds like 'oh-KEE-roo', with the emphasis on the second syllable. The final 'u' is often very light.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'ki' too short.
- Adding an extra syllable or sound.
- Misplacing the stress.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in basic contexts, challenging in abstract/formal uses.
Easy for basic sentences, requires care for nuance and formal contexts.
Very common and easy to pronounce in basic forms.
Easy to recognize in simple contexts, can be confused with similar words in complex ones.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation (Group 2)
起きる -> 起きます (polite), 起きた (past), 起きない (negative)
Using particles に (ni) for time
朝6時に起きます。(I wake up at 6 AM.)
Continuous Form (～ている)
まだ起きています。(I am still awake.)
Examples by Level
私は起きます。
I / wake up.
Basic verb conjugation (polite form).
朝、起きます。
Morning, / wake up.
Time expression + verb.
早く起きます。
Early / wake up.
Adverb modifying verb.
犬が起きます。
Dog / wakes up.
Subject + verb.
起きますか？
Wake up / ?
Question formation.
いいえ、まだ寝ます。
No, / still / sleep.
Negative response.
起きた！
Woke up!
Past tense (casual).
起きました。
Woke up.
Past tense (polite).
毎朝6時に起きます。
Every morning / 6 o'clock / wake up.
Time specification with 'ni'.
週末は遅く起きます。
Weekend / late / wake up.
Adverbial phrase for time.
事故が起きました。
Accident / occurred.
Using 'okiru' for events (past tense).
彼はまだ起きていません。
He / still / not wake up.
Negative continuous form.
子供が起きました。
Child / woke up.
Subject + verb (past tense).
早く起きなさい！
Early / wake up! (command)
Imperative form (command).
問題が起きています。
Problem / is occurring.
Continuous form for ongoing events.
起きたら、電話してください。
When (I) wake up, / please call.
Conditional clause ('tara').
毎朝、目覚まし時計が鳴る前に起きます。
Every morning, / alarm clock / rings / before / wake up.
Complex sentence structure with temporal clause.
風邪をひいたので、今日は会社を休み、一日中寝ていました。
Cold / caught, / so, / today / company / rest, / all day / slept.
Contextual usage: not waking up due to illness.
事件が起きた場所は、私の家から遠くない。
Incident / occurred / place / my / house / from / not far.
Using 'okiru' for specific events and location context.
彼はいつもギリギリに起きて、慌てて出かける。
He / always / last minute / wakes up, / flustered / goes out.
Describing a habitual action sequence.
新しいプロジェクトが始まるにあたり、様々な課題が起きる可能性がある。
New / project / starts / upon, / various / challenges / occur / possibility.
Formal usage: potential problems arising.
子供が夜中に起きて泣いていた。
Child / middle of the night / woke up / crying.
Describing a specific event in the past.
もし何か問題が起きたら、すぐに私に連絡してください。
If / something / problem / occurs, / immediately / me / contact please.
Conditional sentence ('tara') for potential issues.
昔話では、よく不思議な出来事が起きます。
Fairy tales / in, / often / strange / events / occur.
General statement about fictional occurrences.
健康維持のため、規則正しい生活を心がけ、毎朝決まった時間に起きるようにしている。
Health maintenance / for, / regular / lifestyle / strive, / every morning / fixed / time / wake up / trying to.
Expressing intention and habit with ～ようにしている.
予期せぬトラブルが起きた際には、冷静に対処することが求められる。
Unexpected / trouble / occurred / when, / calmly / deal with / doing / is required.
Formal phrasing for unexpected events and required actions.
彼は一度寝付くと、周りが騒がしくてもなかなか起きないタイプだ。
He / once / fall asleep / if, / surroundings / noisy / even if / easily / doesn't wake up / type.
Describing a personality trait related to waking up.
この地域では、地震の後、火災が頻繁に起きている。
This / region / in, / earthquake / after, / fires / frequently / are occurring.
Describing recurring events following a primary cause.
彼の突然の辞任は、社内に大きな波紋を呼んだ。
His / sudden / resignation / company / within / big / ripples / caused.
Figurative use: 'okoru' (related verb) implies causing a stir.
子供の夜泣きで、親はほとんど眠れずに朝を迎えることになる。
Child's / night crying / due to, / parents / almost / sleep unable to / morning / greet / end up.
Describing the consequence of a child waking up at night.
このシステムは、ユーザーの操作ミスによって予期せぬエラーが起きやすい。
This / system / user's / operation mistake / by / unexpected / errors / tend to occur.
Discussing system vulnerabilities and error occurrence.
彼は、どんな困難な状況に直面しても、必ず起き上がり、前進し続けるだろう。
He, / whatever / difficult / situation / face even if, / surely / get up, / move forward / continue / will.
Metaphorical use of 'okiru' for resilience.
長引く不況下で、新たなビジネスモデルが次々と起きている。
Prolonged / recession / under, / new / business models / one after another / are emerging.
Abstract usage: 'okiru' for the emergence of new concepts.
彼の発言は、会議の場で予期せぬ論争を引き起こした。
His / statement / meeting / at / unexpected / controversy / caused.
Using a related verb 'hikioshiko' (cause) often associated with 'okiru's' meaning of occurrence.
この小説では、主人公が過去のトラウマから徐々に目覚めていく過程が克明に描かれている。
This / novel / in, / protagonist / past / trauma / from / gradually / awakens / process / vividly / depicted.
Metaphorical awakening, linking to the core meaning of 'okiru'.
社会の価値観が変容する際には、しばしば既存の秩序に対する反発が起きる。
Society's / values / change / when, / often / existing / order / towards / backlash / occurs.
Describing societal shifts and resulting conflicts.
彼は、長年の不眠症に苦しんだ末、ついに睡眠障害が改善する兆しを見せた。
He, / many years / insomnia / suffered / after, / finally / sleep disorder / improve / signs / showed.
Implied 'okiru' in the sense of improvement or recovery.
その芸術家の作品は、鑑賞者に深い精神的覚醒を促すものとして評価されている。
That / artist's / work / viewers / deep / spiritual / awakening / prompt / as / evaluated.
Elevated use: 'kakusei' (awakening) related to profound realization.
予期せぬ事態が発生した場合、組織は迅速な危機管理体制を起動させる必要がある。
Unexpected / situation / occurs / if, / organization / swift / crisis management system / activate / needs.
Formal context: 'okiru' (or related verbs like 'kidou saseru') for emergency activation.
彼の遅刻癖は、単なる怠慢ではなく、根底にある不安から起きているのかもしれない。
His / lateness habit / simply / laziness / not, / underlying / anxiety / from / arises / perhaps.
Analyzing the root cause of a behavior, linking it to 'okiru'.
その哲学者の思索は、既存のパラダイムからの脱却と、新たな認識論的転回を促すものであった。
That / philosopher's / contemplation / existing / paradigm / from / break away / and, / new / epistemological / turn / prompt / was.
Academic context: 'okiru' in the sense of a paradigm shift or epistemological awakening.
文学作品において、登場人物の内面的な葛藤が表面化する様は、しばしば劇的な転換点として描かれる。
Literary works / in, / characters' / internal / conflicts / surface / manner / often / dramatic / turning point / as / depicted.
Literary analysis: 'hyoumenka suru' (to surface) related to internal states becoming apparent.
自然界における自己組織化現象は、単純な物理法則から複雑な生命現象が起きるメカニズムを示唆している。
Natural world / in / self-organization phenomena / simple / physical laws / from / complex / life phenomena / occur / mechanism / suggests.
Scientific context: 'okiru' describing emergent properties in complex systems.
彼の芸術は、観る者の潜在意識下に眠る原初的な衝動を呼び覚ます力を持っている。
His / art / viewer's / subconscious / beneath / sleeping / primal / impulses / awaken / power / has.
Highly figurative: 'yobisamasu' (to awaken) closely related to the core concept of 'okiru'.
歴史の転換点においては、しばしば民衆の不満が爆発的な運動へと発展する事象が観測される。
History's / turning points / at, / often / populace's / dissatisfaction / explosive / movement / into / develop / events / are observed.
Sociopolitical context: describing the genesis of mass movements.
その画家の筆致は、静謐な画面に突如として生命が吹き込まれるかのような躍動感を与えている。
That / painter's / brushstrokes / tranquil / canvas / suddenly / life / breathed into / as if / dynamism / gives.
Artistic critique: describing the sudden infusion of life or energy.
量子力学における観測問題は、観測行為そのものが系の状態に影響を与え、新たな現実が立ち現れるという難問を提起する。
Quantum mechanics / in / measurement problem / observation / act / itself / system's / state / on / influence / give, / new / reality / emerges / difficult problem / raises.
Advanced scientific concept: 'tachi-arawareru' (to appear, emerge) related to the observer effect.
彼の遅延癖は、単なる時間管理能力の欠如に留まらず、自己存在の不確かさから生じる心理的抵抗の現れであると分析された。
His / lateness habit / simply / time management ability / lack / not limited to, / self-existence / uncertainty / from / arising / psychological resistance / manifestation / is / analyzed.
Psychological analysis: linking behavioral patterns to underlying psychological states.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"朝飯前 (asameshi mae)"
Something very easy to do; a piece of cake.
この程度の仕事は朝飯前だ。(This level of work is a piece of cake.)
casual"寝ても覚めても (netemo sametemo)"
Constantly; day and night; whether sleeping or awake.
彼女は彼のことばかり寝ても覚めても考えている。(She thinks about him constantly, day and night.)
neutral"腹が立つ (hara ga tatsu)"
To get angry; to lose one's temper. (Uses a related verb 'tatsu' meaning 'to stand up').
彼の無責任な態度に腹が立った。(I got angry at his irresponsible attitude.)
neutral"事を起こす (koto o okosu)"
To cause trouble or a significant event; to initiate something (often negative). (Uses the transitive verb 'okosu').
彼はいつも何か事を起こす。(He always causes some kind of trouble.)
neutral"目を覚ます (me o samasu)"
To wake up (eyes open); to come to one's senses; to realize the truth.
ついに彼は自分の間違いに目を覚ました。(He finally came to his senses about his mistake.)
neutral"寝ぼける (nebokeru)"
To be groggy or dazed after waking up; to talk or act nonsensically due to sleepiness.
朝はまだ寝ぼけている。(I'm still groggy in the morning.)
casualEasily Confused
Both relate to waking/rising and can sound similar.
起きます (okiru) is intransitive (wakes oneself up, happens). 起こす (okosu) is transitive (wakes someone else up, causes to happen).
私は起きます。(I wake up.) vs. 母が私を起こしました。(Mom woke me up.)
Very similar meaning ('to occur') and sound.
起きます (okiru) is a Group 2 verb; 起こる (okoru) is a Group 1 verb. Conjugations differ (e.g., past tense: 起きた vs 起こった).
事故が起きた。(An accident occurred - okiru). 事故が起こった。(An accident occurred - okoru). Both are often acceptable.
Direct antonyms of waking up.
寝る (neru) means to go to bed/sleep. 眠る (nemuru) means to be asleep. 起きる (okiru) is the opposite action.
夜寝て、朝起きる。(Go to bed at night, wake up in the morning.)
Both involve getting up.
起きます (okiru) can mean just waking up or the general act of getting up. 起き上がる (okiagaru) specifically emphasizes the physical motion of rising from a lying or sitting position.
ベッドで起きた。(I woke up in bed - could be just waking). ベッドから起き上がった。(I got up from the bed - physical action).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + は/が + [Time] + に + 起きます。
私は毎朝７時に起きます。(I wake up at 7 AM every morning.)
Subject + [Adverb] + 起きます。
彼は早く起きます。(He wakes up early.)
[Event/Problem] + が + 起きます。
問題が起きます。(A problem occurs.)
Subject + 起きて + [Another Action].
起きて、顔を洗いました。(I woke up and washed my face.)
もし + [Condition] + が + 起きたら、...
もし何か起きたら、すぐに連絡してください。(If something happens, please contact me immediately.)
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
起きます (okiru) is intransitive (the subject wakes itself up). 起こす (okosu) is transitive (the subject wakes someone/something else up).
While often interchangeable for 'to occur', 起きる (okiru) is a Group 2 verb and 起こる (okoru) is a Group 1 verb. Context can sometimes favor one over the other.
起きます (okiru) is primarily for physical waking. For deeper, metaphorical awakenings, other verbs are more suitable.
For example, the past tense of 起きる is 起きた (okita), while the past tense of 起こる is 起こった (okotta).
起き上がる (okiagaru) specifically emphasizes the physical action of rising from a prone or seated position.
Tips
Link to Your Routine
Use 'Okiru!' every morning when you actually wake up. Say it out loud! Connect the physical action to the word.
Distinguish 'Okiru' vs 'Okosu'
Remember: You 'okiru' yourself, but you 'okosu' someone else. Think of 'o-KO-su' as 'to cause' someone to wake.
Morning Rituals
In Japan, waking up early is often valued. Notice how often phrases like 'asa hayaku okiru' (wake up early) appear.
Ru-Verb Advantage
Since 起きる is a Group 2 (ru-verb), its conjugations (like -masu, -nai, -ta) are very regular. Master these patterns!
Clear 'Ki'
Make sure the 'ki' sound is clear and distinct. It's not 'ky' or 'shee', but a crisp 'kee'.
Avoid 'Okiru' for 'Occur' in Formal News
While acceptable, formal news reports often prefer 発生する (hassei suru) or 起こる (okoru) for events.
Kanji Clues
The kanji 起 visually suggests 'getting up' or 'starting', helping to remember its core meanings.
Flashcard Focus
Create flashcards with 'Okiru' on one side and 'Wake up / Get up / Occur' on the other. Include example sentences.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'Ogre' who needs to 'Key' his alarm to wake up! 'Ogre-Key-Ru'.
Visual Association
Picture a sun rising over a bed, with the letters 'OK' shining brightly.
Word Web
Challenge
Set your alarm for an unusual time and say 'Okiru!' when it rings.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: The kanji 起 originally depicted a person standing up or a plant sprouting, symbolizing 'rising' or 'beginning'. The verb form 'okiru' solidified this meaning in relation to waking and rising.
Cultural Context
No particular cultural sensitivity associated with this word, as it relates to a universal human experience.
In English-speaking cultures, 'waking up' and 'getting up' are distinct actions often performed sequentially. The nuance of 'occurring' is usually handled by different verbs like 'happen', 'occur', 'arise'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Morning Routine
- 朝早く起きます。(Asa hayaku okimasu.) - I wake up early in the morning.
- まだ眠いです。(Mada nemui desu.) - I'm still sleepy.
- 起きたら、コーヒーを飲みます。(Okitarara, koohii o nomimasu.) - When I wake up, I drink coffee.
Describing Events
- 事故が起きました。(Jiko ga okimashita.) - An accident occurred.
- 問題が起きています。(Mondai ga okite imasu.) - A problem is occurring.
- 何が起きたのですか？(Nani ga okita no desu ka?) - What happened?
Health & Well-being
- よく眠れましたか？(Yoku nemuremashita ka?) - Did you sleep well? (Implies asking if they woke up refreshed)
- 寝坊して起きました。(Nebou shite okimashita.) - I woke up late because I overslept.
- 病気で起きられません。(Byouki de okiraremasen.) - I can't get up because I'm sick.
News & Reports
- 事件が発生しました。(Jiken ga hassei shimashita.) - An incident occurred. (More formal)
- 地震が起きました。(Jishin ga okimashita.) - An earthquake occurred.
- 新たな動きが起きてきた。(Arata na ugoki ga okitekita.) - New developments have emerged.
Conversation Starters
"今日の朝は何時に起きましたか？ (Kyou no asa wa nanji ni okimashita ka?) - What time did you wake up this morning?"
"最近、何か面白い出来事が起きましたか？ (Saikin, nani ka omoshiroi dekigoto ga okimashita ka?) - Has anything interesting happened recently?"
"週末は何時に起きますか？ (Shuumatsu wa nanji ni okimasu ka?) - What time do you usually wake up on weekends?"
"もし宝くじが当たったら、まず何をしますか？ (Moshi takarakuji ga atattara, mazu nani o shimasu ka?) - If you won the lottery, what's the first thing you would do? (Implies waking up to a new reality)"
"最近、何か新しい趣味が起きましたか？ (Saikin, nani ka atarashii shumi ga okimashita ka?) - Have you recently taken up any new hobbies?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your typical morning routine, including when you wake up and get up.
Write about a time when something unexpected happened. Use the word 'okimashita'.
What are your goals for waking up earlier? How will you achieve them?
Reflect on a time you felt 'awakened' to a new idea or perspective. How did that change you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions起きます (okiru) is intransitive, meaning the subject wakes itself up or an event happens on its own. 起こす (okosu) is transitive, meaning the subject wakes someone else up or causes something to happen.
While possible in very specific contexts, it's more common to use verbs like '覚醒する (kakusei suru)' or '目覚める (mezameru)' for spiritual or figurative awakenings.
They are often interchangeable when meaning 'to occur' or 'to happen'. However, 起きる (okiru) is a Group 2 verb and 起こる (okoru) is a Group 1 verb, which affects conjugation. 起こる (okoru) is sometimes preferred for more significant events.
You can say '遅く起きました (osoku okimashita)' (polite) or '遅く起きた (osoku okita)' (casual).
It means the phenomenon is happening or starting. For example, '風が起きる (kaze ga okiru)' means 'the wind is rising'.
Yes, you can say '夢から起きました (yume kara okimashita)' which means 'I woke up from a dream'.
The polite past tense is 起きました (okimashita), and the casual past tense is 起きた (okita).
Yes, it is an extremely common and fundamental verb in Japanese, used daily for waking up and often for events happening.
Test Yourself
毎朝、私は早く ____。
The sentence means 'Every morning, I ____ early.' '起きます' (okimasu - wake up/get up) fits the context of morning activity.
What does '事故が起きました' mean?
'事故' means accident, and '起きました' is the past tense of 'okiru', meaning 'to occur' or 'to happen'.
The verb '起きます (okiru)' can mean 'to occur' or 'to happen'.
Yes, besides 'to wake up/get up', 起きます (okiru) is also used to describe events happening.
Word
Meaning
Matches the Japanese phrases with their English meanings.
The correct sentence is '彼が事件で起きた' (Kare ga jiken de okita - He occurred in the incident), which is grammatically awkward. A better phrasing would be '彼に事件が起きた' (Kare ni jiken ga okita - An incident happened to him) or '彼が事件を起こした' (Kare ga jiken o okoshita - He caused the incident). This tests understanding of sentence structure and verb transitivity.
私は７時に ____。
The sentence is 'I ____ at 7 o'clock.' '起きます' (okimasu) means 'wake up' or 'get up'.
Which verb means 'to wake someone else up'?
'起こす (okosu)' is the transitive verb meaning 'to wake someone up', while '起きる (okiru)' is intransitive.
You can use '起きます' to describe a storm starting.
Yes, '嵐が起きます' (Arashi ga okimasu) means 'A storm is brewing/starting'.
Word
Meaning
Matching English concepts to Japanese phrases involving 'okiru' or related ideas.
The sentence is '社会には変化が起きる' (Shakai ni wa henka ga okiru - Changes occur in society). This tests understanding of particles and abstract noun usage.
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering 起きます (okiru) is essential for discussing daily routines and events in Japanese.
- 起きます (okiru) is a verb meaning 'to wake up' or 'to get up'.
- It can also mean 'to occur' or 'to happen', especially for events.
- It's a Group 2 (ru-verb) with regular conjugations.
- Distinguish it from 起こす (okosu - to wake someone else up).
Link to Your Routine
Use 'Okiru!' every morning when you actually wake up. Say it out loud! Connect the physical action to the word.
Distinguish 'Okiru' vs 'Okosu'
Remember: You 'okiru' yourself, but you 'okosu' someone else. Think of 'o-KO-su' as 'to cause' someone to wake.
Morning Rituals
In Japan, waking up early is often valued. Notice how often phrases like 'asa hayaku okiru' (wake up early) appear.
Ru-Verb Advantage
Since 起きる is a Group 2 (ru-verb), its conjugations (like -masu, -nai, -ta) are very regular. Master these patterns!
Example
毎朝6時に起きます。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More daily_life words
じゅうしょ
A2The particulars of the place where someone lives.
住所
A2address, residence
～後
A2after
目覚まし
B1Alarm clock. A clock that makes a noise to wake someone up.
目覚まし時計
B1An alarm clock.
もう少し
B1A little more.
ひとりで
A2Alone.
~のに
B1Even though; despite (particle/conjunction).
ごぜん
A2Morning (a.m.).
煩い
B1Noisy; annoying.
