Translation and Meaning of: 立つ - tatsu

The Japanese word 立つ[たつ] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language. Its main meaning is "to stand" or "to rise," but its applications go far beyond the literal sense. In this article, we will explore everything from its kanji writing to cultural uses and common expressions that involve this word. If you've ever wondered how to memorize 立つ or in what contexts it appears in daily life in Japan, keep reading to find out.

The meaning and uses of 立つ

The verb 立つ is often used to describe the action of standing up, but it also appears in more abstract situations. For example, it can mean "to arise" when referring to an opportunity (機会が立つ) or even "to leave" in contexts like 席を立つ (to leave the place). This versatility makes it a word present in various everyday situations.

In addition, 立つ is used in fixed expressions like 目立つ (to stand out) and 役に立つ (to be useful). These combinations show how a seemingly simple verb can gain different nuances depending on the context. For Japanese learners, understanding these variations is crucial to avoid misinterpretations.

The writing and origin of the kanji 立

The kanji 立 is composed of five strokes and represents a person standing. Its origin comes from a pictogram that illustrated someone upright, and this image evolved into its current form. This character is also a radical present in other words, such as 位置 (position) and 立派 (magnificent), showing its influence in the formation of terms related to stability or prominence.

It is worth noting that 立つ (tatsu) is a verb of group 1 (godan), which means that its conjugation follows a specific pattern. For example, in the past form, it becomes 立った (tatta), and in the te-form, 立って (tatte). Knowing these variations helps in constructing more natural sentences when speaking or writing in Japanese.

Tips for memorizing and using 立つ correctly

An effective way to memorize 立つ is to associate it with physical actions. Practicing phrases like 椅子から立つ (getting up from the chair) or 電車で立つ (standing on the train) creates concrete connections with real-life situations. Another tip is to pay attention to animes or dramas where the verb appears, as auditory repetition aids in memorization.

Avoid confusing 立つ with verbs like 座る (to sit) or 起きる (to wake/get up from bed). Each has a specific use, and mixing them up can lead to misunderstandings. For example, saying ベッドから立つ sounds strange, as the correct phrase would be ベッドから起きる. These details make a difference in language fluency.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 立つ

• 立つ - Base dictionary form of the verb
• 立てる - potential form
• 立てます - polite form
• 立ちます - Honorific form
• 立てろ - imperative form

Synonyms and similar words

• 起立する (kiritsu suru) - rise, stand up
• 立ち上がる (tachiagaru) - to get up, to rise from a sitting or lying position
• 立ち (tachi) - standing position, to be standing

立つ

Romaji: tatsu
Kana: たつ
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: support; lift; be lifted; rise; be built

Meaning in English: to stand;to erect;to be erected;to rise;to be built

Definition: The vertical position of things.

Example Sentences - (立つ) tatsu

See below some example sentences:

頼みは人の上に立つ。

Tanomi wa hito no ue ni tatsu

A request is above a person.

The request is in one person.

• 頼み (tanomi) - request, application
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人 (hito) - person
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 上 (ue) - above, superior
• に (ni) - target particle
• 立つ (tatsu) - to stand, to be in an upright position

頂上に立つ喜びは何物にも代えがたい。

Choujou ni tatsu yorokobi wa nanimo ni mo kaegatai

The joy of being on top is irreplaceable.

• 頂上に立つ - means "to be at the top" or "to reach the top."
• 喜び - means "joy" or "happiness".
• 何物にも - means "nothing" or "no other".
• 代えがたい - means "priceless" or "incomparable".

彼女の派手な服装が目立つ。

Kanojo no hadena fukusō ga medatsu

Her flashy clothes stand out.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 派手 (hade) - extravagant, flashy
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• 服装 (fukusou) - clothing, attire
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 目立つ (medatsu) - highlight, draw attention

真ん中に立っている人が見えますか？

Mannaka ni tatte iru hito ga miemasu ka?

Can you see the person who is standing in the middle?

Can you see someone standing in the middle?

• 真ん中に - indicates the position in the center
• 立っている - verb that means "to stand"
• 人 - noun that means "person"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 見えますか - verb that means "to see" in the sense of "to be visible," conjugated in the interrogative form
• ? - punctuation mark that indicates a question

灯台は海岸に立っています。

Toudai wa kaigan ni tatte imasu

The lighthouse stands on the coast.

The lighthouse is on the coast.

• 灯台 - light tower
• は - Topic particle
• 海岸 - coast
• に - Location particle
• 立っています - is standing

役に立つ情報を探しています。

Yaku ni tatsu jōhō o sagashite imasu

I am looking for useful information.

I am looking for useful information.

• 役に立つ - useful
• 情報 - information
• を - direct object particle
• 探しています - searching

垂直に立ってください。

Chūjiku ni tatte kudasai

Please stand upright.

Stay vertical.

• 垂直 (suichoku) - vertical
• に (ni) - partícula que indica direção ou localização
• 立って (tatte) - stand
• ください (kudasai) - por favor

この服は目立つ色だ。

Kono fuku wa medatsu iro da

This outfit has a color that stands out.

These clothes are visible colors.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 服 - The noun that means "clothing" is "服" (ふく, fuku) in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 目立つ - verb that means "to attract attention" or "to be noteworthy"
• 色 - noun that means "color"
• だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the affirmative form in the present of informal language

スタートラインに立つ。

Sutāto rain ni tatsu

I'm at the starting line.

Stay at the starting line.

• スタートライン - 出発点 (しゅっぱつてん)
• に - particle in Japanese that indicates the location of something, in this case, "at"
• 立つ - 動詞 (どうし) para "ficar de pé" em japonês é "立つ" (たつ, tatsu).
• . - full stop, indicating the end of the sentence

トップに立つ人は責任が大きいです。

Toppu ni tatsu hito wa sekinin ga ookii desu

The person at the top is responsible.

• トップに立つ人 - person at the top
• は - Topic particle
• 責任 - responsibility
• が - subject particle
• 大きい - large
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present