자동사 (ja-dong-sa, jadongsa) · 타동사 (ta-dong-sa, tadongsa) · 준타동사 (jun-ta-dong-sa, juntadongsa)
자동사 (jadongsa), 타동사 (tadongsa), and 준타동사 (juntadongsa) differ by whether and how they take objects, affecting sentence structure and meaning.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Verbs that express actions or states without needing an object
When to use
No object, Subject action only, State expression
The nuance
Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object and only describe the subject's action or state, often used with adverbs or complements.
Verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning
When to use
Object required, Action target specified, Grammatical completeness
The nuance
Transitive verbs must take a direct object in a sentence; omitting the object is grammatically incorrect.
Verbs that require an object but use a preposition or particle before the object
When to use
Prepositional object, Indirect object, Object with particle
The nuance
Semi-transitive verbs need an object preceded by a preposition or particle, distinguishing them from direct objects.
문이 열렸다.
mun-i yeol-ryeoss-da., mun i yeol ryeoss da.
Intransitive verb '열리다' describes subject's state change without an object.
문을 열었다.
mun-eul yeol-eoss-da., mun eul yeol eoss da.
Transitive verb '열다' requires the object '문을'.
문을 열렸다.
mun-eul yeol-ryeoss-da., mun eul yeol ryeoss da.
Intransitive '열리다' cannot take a direct object.
책이 읽혔다.
chaek-i ik-hyeoss-da., chaek i ik hyeoss da.
Semi-transitive verb '읽히다' used passively without object.
책을 읽었다.
chaek-eul ik-eoss-da., chaek eul ik eoss da.
Transitive verb '읽다' requires object '책을'.
친구에게 편지를 썼다.
chin-gu-e-ge pyeon-ji-reul sseoss-da., chin gu e ge pyeon ji reul sseoss da.
Semi-transitive verb '쓰다' uses indirect object with particle '에게'.
친구 편지를 썼다.
chin-gu pyeon-ji-reul sseoss-da., chin gu pyeon ji reul sseoss da.
Incorrect omission of particle; '친구에게' needed for indirect object.
나는 밥을 먹었다.
na-neun bap-eul meok-eoss-da., na neun bap eul meok eoss da.
Transitive verb '먹다' requires object '밥을'.
Which is an intransitive verb?
What type of verb is '읽다' in '책을 읽었다'?
What type of verb is '쓰다' in '친구에게 편지를 썼다'?
