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JLPT N4Verb Forms

〜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.

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Pro lessonUNIT 12 · VERB FORMS

Structure · 形

[Verb masu-stem] + 出す

Examples · 例文

  • 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)

Usage notes · 注意

  • 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

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