Posted inN4 Grammar

Mastering 出す (Dasu): Suddenly Starting in Japanese (JLPT N4 Grammar)

Posted inN4 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

出す (だす) as a standalone verb means “to take out,” “to put out,” “to send,” etc. However, when used as a suffix after the stem of another verb (Verb Stem + 出す), it becomes a grammar pattern meaning “to suddenly start doing something” or “to burst into” that action.

🎯 Primary Function

To indicate the sudden, spontaneous, or often involuntary beginning of an action or state.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb Stem (Verb in ます form without ます) + 出す (だす)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in formal contexts, but the suddenness implies a less controlled situation, which might feel less formal than using other expressions for “start.”

😊 Informal Situations

Very common in informal conversation to describe sudden occurrences.

✍️ Written Language

Used in narratives and descriptions to vividly portray sudden events.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used in daily conversation.

💡 Common Applications

Describing a sudden emotional outburst
Often used with verbs related to emotions like crying or laughing.
Example: 子どもが急に泣き出した。 (Kodomo ga kyū ni nakidashita.) – The child suddenly started crying.
Describing a sudden change in state or action (often environmental or physical)
Used for things like rain starting suddenly or someone starting to run.
Example: 空が暗くなって、雨が降り出した。 (Sora ga kuraku natte, ame ga furidashita.) – The sky got dark, and it started raining.
Describing a sudden, unexpected action
When someone or something suddenly begins an action without prior indication.
Example: 犬が私のほうへ走り出した。 (Inu ga watashi no hō e hashiridashita.) – The dog suddenly started running towards me.
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially when describing sudden events or reactions.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (N4). The meaning is straightforward, but knowing which verbs it commonly combines with and distinguishing it from similar grammar can be tricky.
Example Sentences
彼女は悲しい映画を見て、突然泣き出しました。
Watching the sad movie, she suddenly started crying.
授業中に、友達が急に変な音を出し始めました。
During class, my friend suddenly started making strange noises. (Note: This example uses 出し始める, which is a valid combination, but the focus should be on pure ～出す. Let’s replace this one.)
授業中に、友達が急に笑い出した。
During class, my friend suddenly started laughing.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Focus on Suddenness
～出す emphasizes the sudden, often unexpected beginning of an action. It suggests a burst or a spontaneous start.
Example: 鳥が急に歌い出した。 (Tori ga kyū ni utaidashita.) – The bird suddenly started singing.
Often Involuntary
It’s frequently used for actions that are difficult to control, like crying, laughing, or natural phenomena like rain starting.
Example: 子どもが急に泣き出した。 (Kodomo ga kyū ni nakidashita.) – The child suddenly started crying (suggesting it was spontaneous/uncontrollable).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using for planned or gradual beginnings
✅ Use ～始める or other appropriate verbs for planned or gradual starts.
～出す is specifically for sudden, often involuntary actions. You wouldn’t typically use it for something like “I started studying Japanese” (日本語を勉強し始めた).
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral.
Social Situations: Used widely in various social situations when describing sudden events.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations for this grammar pattern.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～出す vs ～始める
～出す implies a sudden, spontaneous, often involuntary or uncontrolled start. ～始める is a general term for beginning an action, which can be sudden, gradual, planned, or unplanned.
When to use: Use ～出す when you want to emphasize the suddenness and burst-like nature of the beginning. Use ～始める for any general beginning of an action.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

The base verb 出す (だす) is a godan verb. When attached to a verb stem, the resulting compound verb (e.g., 泣き出す) conjugates as a godan verb based on 出す.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounce 出す clearly, paying attention to the “da” sound. When combined, the verb stem’s last vowel blends smoothly into “da-su.”

🧠 Memory Tips

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Practice Exercises
雨が (＿＿＿) ました。 (start falling suddenly)
降り始め
降り出し
降り終え
降りそう
その話を聞いて、みんなが急に (＿＿＿) 。 (start laughing suddenly)
笑い始めました
笑い出しました
笑い終わりました
笑いたいです
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