Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering 直す (なおす): Fix, Correct, and Redo in Japanese

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

直す (なおす) is a transitive verb with multiple meanings, primarily “to fix,” “to correct,” or “to repair.” When used in the form 〜て直す, it means “to redo” or “to do something over,” often to improve or correct a previous attempt.

🎯 Primary Function

It indicates the action of returning something to a correct, functional, or original state. The 〜て直す form indicates repeating an action with the intention of making it better or right.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb (ます-stem) + 直す (basic meaning: transitive verb) Verb (て-form) + 直す (meaning: to redo, do over)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used in formal contexts when discussing repairs, corrections in documents, or redoing tasks.

😊 Informal Situations

Commonly used in daily conversation for fixing objects, correcting mistakes, or asking someone to redo something.

✍️ Written Language

Frequently appears in written materials, especially instructions for correction or descriptions of repairs.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very common in spoken Japanese across various situations.

💡 Common Applications

Repairing physical objects
Used for fixing broken items like appliances, cars, or furniture.
Example: 壊れた時計を直す。 (Kowareta tokei o naosu.) Fix the broken watch.
Correcting mistakes or errors
Used for correcting errors in writing, calculations, or speech.
Example: 間違いを直してください。 (Machigai o naoshite kudasai.) Please correct the mistake.
Healing injuries or illnesses
Can be used informally for recovering from minor illnesses or injuries.
Example: 早く風邪を直してくださいね。 (Hayaku kaze o naoshite kudasai ne.) Please recover from your cold quickly.
📊
Frequency
High frequency verb.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N4/N3. The basic meaning is N4, but the 〜て直す structure is firmly N3 territory and is crucial for fluent communication.
Example Sentences
自転車が壊れたので、父に直してもらった。
My bicycle broke, so my father fixed it for me.
先生は私の作文の誤りを丁寧に直してくれた。
The teacher carefully corrected the errors in my essay.
姿勢を直して、ちゃんと座りなさい。
Correct your posture and sit properly.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Distinction between basic “fix/correct” and 〜て直す “redo”.
When used alone, 直す means to fix or correct something that is broken or wrong. When combined with the て-form of another verb, it signifies performing that action again, specifically with the purpose of correcting or improving the previous attempt.
Example: 靴を直す (Kutsu o naosu – Fix the shoes) vs. 言い直す (Ii naosu – Say it again/correct what you said)
Transitivity
直す is a transitive verb (他動詞). It requires a direct object (indicated by を).
Example: 間違い **を** 直す (Machigai **o** naosu – Correct the mistake)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using 直る (なおる) instead of 直す (なおす) with an object.
✅ Use the transitive verb 直す (なおす) when there is a direct object being fixed or corrected.
直る (なおる) is the intransitive verb meaning “to be fixed/repaired” or “to heal.” It does not take a direct object を. Example: 壊れた時計が直った (Kowareta tokei ga naotta – The broken watch was fixed).
❌ Confusing 〜て直す with simply repeating an action.
✅ Remember that 〜て直す implies repeating the action *for correction or improvement*.
Simply repeating an action without the aim of fixing something might use different expressions or just repetition.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral; can be used in both polite and casual contexts depending on conjugation (直します vs. 直す).
Social Situations: Applicable in various social settings from home (fixing things) to work (correcting documents) and school (rewriting essays).
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese; no significant regional variations in core meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

直す vs. 修理する (しゅうりする)
修理する specifically refers to repairing mechanical or electrical objects.
When to use: Use 修理する for fixing cars, electronics, etc. Use 直す more broadly for general repairs, corrections, or healing.
直す vs. 修正する (しゅうせいする)
修正する is primarily used for correcting text, data, or plans.
When to use: Use 修正する for formal corrections in documents, budgets, etc. Use 直す more broadly for general corrections, including physical posture or minor errors.
undefined
undefined
When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

直す is a regular Godan verb: – ます form: 直します – て form: 直して – た form: 直した – Plain form: 直す

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Standard pronunciation: な・お・す (na-o-su). The stress is typically on the first syllable.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of the kanji 直 (straight, direct) as bringing something back to being “straight” or “correct.” The て-form + 直す means doing something *again* to make it straight/correct.

Practice Exercises
以下の文で、「直す」の最も適切な使い方はどれですか？ 「昨日書いた手紙に間違いがあったので、( )つもりです。」
読んで直す
考えて直す
書き直す
見て直す
「この機械はどこかおかしい。専門の人に( )。」 に入る最も適切な単語を選びなさい。
壊してもらう
修理してもらう
作ってもらう
勉強してもらう
5 Views
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *