〜出す (だす) — Abrupt Eruptions
A compound-verb suffix expressing the sudden, spontaneous, or uncontrolled start of an action. It implies the action broke out unexpectedly.
Structure
[Verb masu-stem] + 出す
Examples
突然子供が泣き出した。
Totsuzen kodomo ga nakidashita.
The child suddenly burst into tears.
泣き (cry) + 出した (broke out)
急に雨が降り出した。
Kyū ni ame ga furidashita.
It suddenly started pouring rain.
降り (fall) + 出した (abruptly started)
彼の話を聞いて、みんなが笑い出した。
Kare no hanashi o kiite, minna ga waraidashita.
Hearing his story, everyone burst out laughing.
笑い (laugh) + 出した (burst out)
• 出す vs 始める: 始める is neutral and intentional (I started eating lunch). 出す is sudden and often uncontrollable (burst into laughter, started raining suddenly). You cannot use 出す for planned/calm actions like starting a meeting.
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones 〜出す is tested against.
vs 〜始める (start doing)
〜始める is a calm, often intentional beginning (弾き始める = start playing). 〜出す is abrupt, spontaneous and usually beyond one's control (泣き出す = suddenly burst into tears).
More verb forms
- てくる — Come Doing / Has Been Doing (Toward Now)
- てみる — Try Doing (and See)
- Potential Form — Can / Be Able To (Verbs)
- がる／がっている — Describing Others' Feelings
- 〜始める (はじめる) — Intentional Beginnings
- 意向形 (いこうけい) — Volitional Form (Let's / I'll)
- くする / にする — Make something become (a quality)
- ながら — While doing (simultaneous actions, same subject)
Study Japanese grammar on LenGaki
Everything on this page, free to browse
- 7,788 JLPT vocabulary words, N5 through N1, with readings and audio
- 2,057 kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi and stroke-order practice
- 444 grammar points with examples and commonly-confused comparisons
- Full-length N5 and N4 mock exams, timed, with real listening audio
Get the Android app