〜出す (~Dasu): Mastering the Dramatic Start for the JLPT

〜出す (~Dasu)

If you’re deep into your JLPT preparation, especially N3 and beyond, you’ve probably noticed that simply memorizing vocabulary lists isn’t enough. The real challenge often lies in mastering the nuances of Japanese compound verbs (複合動詞 – fukugō dōshi).

These powerful constructions combine two verbs to create a new, distinct meaning. Among the most crucial of these is the suffix verb 〜出す (~dasu). While simple in its structure, its usage is incredibly dynamic, conveying suddenness, drama, and sometimes, the completion of a challenging action.

If you’ve ever struggled to express that feeling of something suddenly bursting forth—whether it’s laughter, tears, or a physical dash—then this particle is your key. Let’s dive deep into 〜出す, compare it to similar grammar points like 〜始める (~hajimeru), and equip you with the knowledge to ace those tricky JLPT questions.

Before diving into the grammar detail, here is the JLPT N4 complete guide: 
The Ultimate JLPT N4 Complete Guide: Your Gateway to Working and Living in Japan

The Cry of the Unexpected: Understanding the Core Meaning of 〜出す

At its heart, the verb 出す (dasu) means “to put out,” “to take out,” or “to send out.” When this verb is attached as a suffix to another verb stem, it inherits and transforms that core meaning, resulting in two primary functions that you absolutely must know for the JLPT.

The Structure: How to Form 〜出す

Forming this compound verb is straightforward, following the standard pattern for most compound verbs:

Verb Stem (Masu-Form minus ます) + 出す

• 走ります (hashirimasu, to run) → 走り + 出す = 走り出す (hashiridasu)
• 泣きます (nakimasu, to cry) → 泣き + 出す = 泣き出す (nakidasu)
• 言います (iimasu, to say) → 言い + 出す = 言い出す (iidasu)

Primary Meaning A: The Sudden and Dramatic Start (The JLPT Focus)

This is the most common and critical usage. When attached to the stem of an action verb, 〜出す signifies that the action has begun suddenly, abruptly, or spontaneously, often without prior intent or warning. It emphasizes the moment of the start, often likened to an explosion or a burst.

Key Nuances of Sudden Start:

1. Spontaneity and Involuntariness: The action often feels beyond the speaker’s control, especially when used with emotional verbs. You didn’t choose to cry; the tears just burst forth.
2. Dramatic Effect: It adds a sense of immediacy and surprise to the narrative. Imagine reading a novel—when a character suddenly 泣き出す (bursts into tears), the moment is far more impactful than if they just 泣き始めた (started crying).

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Deep Dive into Usage: Essential Examples for Daily Life and the JLPT

To truly master 〜出す, we must see it in action across different contexts. Notice how the feeling of suddenness permeates every single one of these common phrases.

Example 1: The Burst of Emotion (泣き出す, 笑い出す)

This is perhaps the most frequent use of 〜出す. It perfectly captures the moments when emotions become too strong to contain and suddenly spill out.

例文 (Reibun – Example Sentence):

「そのニュースを聞いた瞬間、彼女は急に泣き出した。」

(Sono nyūsu o kiita shunkan, kanojo wa kyū ni nakidashita.)

English Translation: “The moment she heard that news, she suddenly burst into tears.”

Why 〜出す works here: The action of crying started immediately and dramatically. It wasn’t a slow build-up; it was an emotional explosion triggered by the news.

「彼は友達の失敗を見て、我慢できずに笑い出した。」

(Kare wa tomodachi no shippai o mite, gaman dekizu ni waraidashita.)

English Translation: “He saw his friend’s mistake and couldn’t hold back, so he burst out laughing.”

Application Tip: For the JLPT, associate emotional verbs paired with 〜出す with words like 急に (kyū ni, suddenly) or 瞬間 (shunkan, the moment), as these reinforce the sense of abruptness.

Example 2: The Sudden Physical Movement (走り出す, 飛び出す)

〜出す is highly effective for physical actions that commence without hesitation, often implying urgency or a strong impulse.

例文 (Reibun – Example Sentence):

「スタートの合図とともに、選手たちは一斉に走り出した。」

(Sutāto no aizu to tomoni, senshutachi wa issei ni hashiridashita.)

English Translation: “With the start signal, the athletes all broke into a run simultaneously.”

Why 〜出す works here: The focus is on the immediate transition from rest to rapid motion—the sudden commencement of running.

「ボールを追いかけて、子供が道路に飛び出したので危なかった。」

(Bōru o oikakete, kodomo ga dōro ni tobidashita node abunakatta.)

English Translation: “Chasing the ball, the child suddenly darted out into the road, which was dangerous.”

Application Tip: 飛び出す (tobidasu, to jump out/dart out) is often used in cautionary contexts, describing something suddenly emerging from a place of enclosure (a child from a gate, an animal from a bush). This highlights the sudden, unexpected appearance.

Example 3: Starting Communication or Thought (言い出す, 思い出す)

When applied to communication or cognition, 〜出す emphasizes the moment an idea, a statement, or a memory unexpectedly surfaces.

例文 (Reibun – Example Sentence):

「会議の終わりに、彼は突然、辞職したいと言い出した。」

(Kaigi no owari ni, kare wa totsuzen, jishoku shitai to iidsashita.)

English Translation: “At the end of the meeting, he suddenly brought up the subject of wanting to resign.”

Why 〜出す works here: 言い出す doesn’t just mean “to start saying.” It means to be the first to propose something, to blurt out a sensitive topic, or to initiate a conversation that might have been difficult to start. It highlights the moment the words left his mouth.

「何度も考えたが、どうしても彼の名前が思い出せない。」

(Nando mo kangaeta ga, dōshitemo kare no namae ga omoidasenai.)

English Translation: “I’ve thought about it many times, but I absolutely cannot recall (bring out the memory of) his name.”

Application Tip: Note the phrase 思い出す (omoidasu, to recall). Here, the sudden start (Primary Meaning A) blends slightly with Primary Meaning B (taking out). You are “taking out” the memory from the back of your mind, signifying the sudden recovery of a forgotten fact.

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Advanced Usage: Primary Meaning B – Completion and Extraction

While the JLPT often focuses on the “sudden start,” you cannot ignore the instances where 〜出す retains more of the original 出す meaning (“to take out” or “to complete an action after effort”). Understanding this secondary meaning helps you grasp the full range of compound verbs.

Extraction or Listing (書き出す, 持ち出す)

When combined with verbs related to internal or concealed actions, 〜出す means to perform the action and externalize the result.

• 書き出す (kakidasu): To write out, to list (i.e., take the ideas in your head and put them out onto paper).
• 持ち出す (mochidasu): To take out, to carry something out of a place.

Discovery After Effort (見つけ出す, 探し出す)

This construction emphasizes the successful completion of a difficult search or discovery process. The effort precedes the sudden moment of discovery.

• 見つけ出す (mitsukedasu): To successfully find (after searching).
• 探し出す (sagashidasu): To search for and find something (often something hard to locate).

「やっと古い資料の中から、必要な書類を探し出すことができた。」

(Yatto furui shiryō no naka kara, hitsuyō na shorui o sagashidasu koto ga dekita.)

English Translation: “Finally, I was able to find/dig out the necessary documents from among the old materials.”

Key Takeaway: In these cases, the focus is less on “suddenness” and more on “successful externalization” or “extraction.” When you see verbs related to seeking or writing combined with 〜出す, think about bringing something concealed into the open.

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The Critical Comparison: 〜出す vs. 〜始める

For JLPT N3 and N2 learners, the most common source of confusion regarding 〜出す is distinguishing it from 〜始める (~hajimeru), which also means “to start” or “to begin.”

While both are compound verbs attached to the verb stem, their functions and nuances are entirely different. Mastering this distinction is crucial for context-based JLPT questions.

〜始める (~Hajimeru): Simple Commencement

〜始める focuses purely on the simple, neutral act of starting an action. It implies a transition from inaction to action, often intentionally and gradually.

• Focus: The chronological beginning of the action.
• Intent: Usually implies deliberate intent (e.g., I started studying).
• Tone: Neutral and descriptive.

〜出す (~Dasu): Sudden, Explosive Commencement

〜出す focuses on the moment the action bursts forth, emphasizing speed, surprise, or lack of control.

• Focus: The abruptness and drama of the start.
• Intent: Often involuntary or impulsive (especially with emotions).
• Tone: Dramatic, spontaneous, and unexpected.

A Direct Comparison

Let’s look at the same verb used with both suffixes:

Sentence	Grammar	Meaning & Nuance
雨が降り始めた。	〜始める	“The rain started falling.” (Neutral observation. It could be a slow drizzle.)
急に雨が降り出した。	〜出す	“The rain suddenly burst out.” (Implies a sudden downpour, emphasizing the unexpected start.)
子供が宿題をやり始めた。	〜始める	“The child began doing their homework.” (A simple, intentional start.)
*子供が宿題をやり出した。	〜出す	*This is sometimes possible but awkward. It would imply the child suddenly, impulsively, and maybe unexpectedly started the work. It is generally avoided for intentional, sustained actions like studying.

The Rule of Thumb: If the action is deliberate, planned, and sustained (e.g., studying, cleaning, building), you should almost always use 〜始める. If the action is impulsive, spontaneous, emotional, or involves movement that begins instantly, use 〜出す.

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Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Mistakes

Understanding where 〜出す is not used is just as important as knowing where it is used. Many errors arise from over-applying the “start” meaning to situations that demand 〜始める.

Mistake 1: Using 〜出す for Intentional, Sustained Actions

As mentioned above, 〜出す works best with verbs that can be done suddenly, like crying, running, or yelling. It sounds unnatural when applied to activities that require planning, effort, and duration.

Incorrect Usage Example:

❌ 私は日本語を勉強し出した。(I suddenly burst into studying Japanese.)

Correction:

✅ 私は日本語を勉強し始めた。(I started studying Japanese.)

Why: Studying (勉強する) is a prolonged, intentional process, not a sudden burst of activity. Use 〜始める here.

Mistake 2: Combining with Verbs that Lack a “Burst” Quality

Some verbs, particularly those describing passive states or continuous, gentle actions, rarely combine naturally with 〜出す.

• 座る (suwaru, to sit): You wouldn’t typically say 座り出す. You simply start sitting: 座り始める.
• 食べる (taberu, to eat): While theoretically possible in extremely unusual contexts, 食べ出す sounds unnatural. You 食べ始める (start eating). Eating is generally not a sudden, explosive action.

Focus on Core Verbs: When practicing for the JLPT, focus your study of 〜出す on the most reliable combinations: emotion verbs (泣く, 笑う), movement verbs (走る, 飛ぶ), and communication verbs (言う, 叫ぶ).

Mistake 3: Confusing 〜出す with the Causative Form

The verb 出す is also the basis for the causative form of certain verbs. Be careful not to confuse the compound verb suffix with the standalone verb when used transitively.

• Compound Verb: 泣き出す (The subject suddenly starts crying.)
• Transitive Verb: 声を出す (koe o dasu, to utter a voice/make a sound.)

In compound verbs, the new verb (泣き出す) acts as an intransitive verb (it usually doesn’t take a direct object を), focusing entirely on the subject’s spontaneous action.

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Expanding Your Vocabulary: Key 〜出す Compound Verbs for the JLPT

To ensure you are fully prepared, here is a list of high-frequency 〜出す verbs that frequently appear in reading and listening comprehension sections:

Verbs of Emotion and Voice:

• 叫び出す (sakebidasu): To burst into a scream/shout.
• 歌い出す (utaidasu): To suddenly start singing.
• 話し出す (hanashidasu): To start speaking (often after a silence).

Verbs of Physical Movement:

• 動き出す (ugokidasu): To start moving (a machine, a car, a person).
• 駆け出す (kakedasu): To run off; to dash out.

Verbs of Discovery and Externalization:

• 生み出す (umidasu): To create, to give birth to (an idea or product).
• 作り出す (tsukuridasu): To manufacture or create (often used for mass production or new invention).
• 連れ出す (tsuredasu): To take (a person) out.

The verbs in the last group (生み出す, 連れ出す, etc.) strongly lean towards the “Extraction/Completion” meaning (Primary Meaning B) and are often transitive, requiring an object marked by を.

「このシステムは、新しい価値を生み出すだろう。」

(Kono shisutemu wa, atarashii kachi o umidasu darō.)

English Translation: “This system will probably create/generate new value.”

Notice how 価値を (value) is the direct object here, demonstrating the transitive nature of this specific compound verb, which is focused on creation/extraction rather than a sudden start.

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Final Thoughts: Integrating 〜出す into Your JLPT Arsenal

Mastering 〜出す is about more than just remembering a definition; it’s about grasping the emotional and temporal weight it adds to a sentence. It’s the difference between a simple statement and a narrative moment of surprise.

When you encounter a compound verb ending in 〜出す on the JLPT:

1. Check the Base Verb: Is it an emotion or sudden movement? If yes, the meaning is likely “sudden start.”
2. Check the Context: Does the surrounding sentence suggest surprise, urgency, or lack of control? If so, “sudden start” is the intended meaning.
3. Check for Objects: If the sentence has a direct object (を), the meaning is likely “extraction” or “completion after effort” (e.g., 見つけ出す, 書き出す).

Compound verbs are the backbone of natural, nuanced Japanese, and your ability to differentiate 〜出す from 〜始める will significantly boost your confidence in the intermediate and advanced JLPT sections.

Keep practicing these phrases out loud, listen for them in native media, and soon, the dramatic flair of 〜出す will feel completely natural!

頑張ってください！ (Good luck with your studies!)

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