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# Last Weeks Homework
# Synopsis from 2025-12-11 Class

This week's lesson covered two main grammar points:

1.  **~みたいです (Looks Like):**
    *   Used to create similes or make observations.
    *   Can be used with verbs (plain form), nouns, and adjectives.
    *   With nouns, it creates a metaphor ("like a computer").
    *   With verbs and adjectives, it's more of an observation ("looks like he is tired").

2.  **前に (Before):**
    *   Indicates that one action happens before another.
    *   Used with a verb in its dictionary form or a noun with `の`.
    *   The verb in the `前に` clause is always non-past, non-polite.

# Random Words
-  上手い -> Smoothly
	- 上手く -> Adverb version of that ^
	- うまくいくと,いいですね -> If things go smoothly, it'll be good
- 出す -> だす -> To put out, to submit
- 懐かしい -> なつかしい -> Nostalgic

# Main Point

## と after a sentence phrase
You can stick と after a phrase in a sentence to show it is the reason of what coming after. Kind of like if, but more focused on cause and effect.

- うまくいくと, いいですね
	- If things go smoothly, it'll be good
- ご飯を食べると、ねむくなります。
	- If I eat lunch, I'll then become sleepy

## Using てから to connect Verbs
You can conjugate a verb into て form, and stick から after it, it means that the following sentence phrase comes AFTER whatever happened in the first phrase. Good for being specific.

- いつご飯うぉたべますか？　シャワーを浴び**てから**、ご飯を食べます
	- When did you eat? **After** I took a shower, I ate lunch.
- いつ日本語を勉強し始めましたか？学校に入ってから、日本語を勉強しています。
	- When did start studying Japanese? After I entered school, I started studying Japanese
- 宿題が終わってから、寝ます。
	- After I finish homework, then I sleep
-  家に帰ってもいいですか？いいえ、まずメールを送ってから、帰ってください。
	- Can I go home? No, first send a message, then please go home

## Transitive Verbs vs Intransitive Verbs
### Understanding Transitive (他動詞) and Intransitive (自動詞) Verbs

In Japanese, verbs are often categorized as either **Transitive (他動詞 - tadoushi)** or **Intransitive (自動詞 - jidoushi)**. This distinction is fundamental to building correct sentences, as it dictates which particles you use and how you describe an action.

#### The Core Concept
- **Transitive verbs (他動詞)** describe an action done *by* someone or something *to* an object. There is a subject who performs the action and a direct object that receives the action. Think of it as a "do-er" acting on a "thing."
- **Intransitive verbs (自動詞)** describe a change of state or an action that happens *on its own*. There is no direct object receiving the action. The subject *is* the one undergoing the change or performing the action without acting upon anything else.

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### Transitive Verbs (他動詞 - tadoushi)
The word 他動詞 (tadoushi) is made of a telling combination of kanji:
- **他** (ta): "other"
- **動** (dō): "move"
- **詞** (shi): "word"

So, it's an "other-moving word." A transitive verb describes an action that a subject directs at an **other** thing (the object). This is why transitive verbs almost always require the particle **を (o)** to mark the direct object that is being acted upon.

**Structure:** `[Subject] が [Object] を [Transitive Verb]`

**Examples:**
- 私が**電気をつけます**。 (Watashi ga **denki o tsukemasu.**)
  - I **turn on the light.** (The subject "I" acts on the object "light.")
- 彼が**ドアを開けます**。 (Kare ga **doa o akemasu.**)
  - He **opens the door.** (The subject "he" acts on the object "door.")
- 母が**弟を起こします**。 (Haha ga **otōto o okoshimasu.**)
  - My mother **wakes up my little brother.** (The subject "mother" acts on the object "brother.")

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### Intransitive Verbs (自動詞 - jidoushi)
The word 自動詞 (jidoushi) is also revealing:
- **自** (ji): "self"
- **動** (dō): "move"
- **詞** (shi): "word"

This is a "self-moving word." An intransitive verb describes something that happens "by itself" from the subject's perspective. There is no direct object. The subject is marked with the particle **が (ga)** or **は (wa)**.

**Structure:** `[Subject] が [Intransitive Verb]`

**Examples:**
- **電気がつきます**。 (**Denki ga tsukimasu.**)
  - **The light is on.** (The light is in a state of being on; no one is actively "turning" it.)
- **ドアが開きます**。 (**Doa ga akimasu.**)
  - **The door opens.** (The door opens by itself, like an automatic door.)
- **弟が起きます**。 (Otōto ga **okimasu.**)
  - **My little brother wakes up.** (He wakes up on his own.)

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### How to Tell Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Apart

1.  **Particle Usage (The Golden Rule):**
    - If a verb uses **を (o)** to mark an object, it's **transitive**.
    - If a verb uses **が (ga)** to describe the thing that *is* changing or moving, it's **intransitive**.

2.  **Common Verb Pairings:**
    Many verbs come in transitive/intransitive pairs. While not every pair follows a perfect rule, there are very common patterns that are useful to memorize. Noticing the ending of a verb can often give you a clue.

    | Common Ending Pattern | Transitive (-su) | Intransitive (-ru) |
    | :--- | :--- | :--- |
    | **Example** | 返す (kae**su** - to return something) | 返る (kae**ru** - something returns) |
    | **Example** | 出す (da**su** - to take something out) | 出る (de**ru** - to go out) |

    | Common Ending Pattern | Transitive (-eru) | Intransitive (-u/ru) |
    | :--- | :--- | :--- |
    | **Example** | 開ける (ak**eru** - to open something) | 開く (ak**u** - something opens) |
    | **Example** | 閉める (shim**eru** - to close something) | 閉まる (shima**ru** - something closes) |
    | **Example** | 入れる (ir**eru** - to put something in) | 入る (hai**ru** - to enter) |
    | **Example** | つける (tsuk**eru** - to turn something on) | つく (tsuk**u** - something turns on) |

    | Other Common Pairs | Transitive | Intransitive |
    | :--- | :--- | :--- |
    | **To extinguish/turn off** | 消す (kesu) | 消える (kieru) |
    | **To drop** | 落とす (otosu) | 落ちる (ochiru) |
    | **To begin** | 始める (hajimeru) | 始まる (hajimaru) |
    | **To finish** | 終える (oeru) | 終わる (owaru) |

Remember, the most reliable way to know is to see which particle is used. When you learn a new verb, try to learn its pair at the same time!