Translation and Meaning of: 起きる - okiru

If you're learning Japanese, you've probably come across the verb 起きる (おきる - okiru). This word is essential in daily life and frequently appears in conversations, animes, and even song lyrics. In this article, we will explore its meaning, how to use it correctly, and some curiosities that will help you memorize it more easily. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide clear and practical explanations for those who want to master the language.

Meaning and usage of 起きる

起きる is a Japanese verb that means "to wake up" or "to get up". It is used in both literal sense, such as waking from sleep, and in more abstract situations, like when something happens or arises. For example, if someone says "朝6時に起きた" (asa roku-ji ni okita), it means "I woke up at 6 a.m." In "問題が起きた" (mondai ga okita), the translation would be "a problem arose."

An important characteristic of this verb is that it is intransitive, meaning it does not require a direct object. This distinguishes it from verbs like 起こす (okosu), which means "to wake someone up" and is transitive. Knowing this difference helps to avoid common mistakes among beginner students.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 起 is composed of the radical 走 (to run) combined with 己 (oneself), suggesting the idea of "rising" or "starting to move." This composition helps to understand why the verb is associated with both the act of waking up and the emergence of events. Interestingly, this same kanji appears in words such as 起動 (kidou - startup) and 起源 (kigen - origin).

It is worth noting that 起きる can also be written in hiragana (おきる), especially in informal contexts or when the writer wants to simplify reading. However, in formal texts and educational materials, kanji is usually preferred.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 起きる is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, think about how you say "I wake up early" (早起きします - hayaoki shimasu) or "he always wakes up late" (彼はいつも遅く起きる - kare wa itsumo osoku okiru). Repeating these phrases out loud helps to internalize the verb.

Another tip is to pay attention to how 起きる appears in animes and dramas. Characters often use expressions like "もう起きて！" (mou okite! - "Wake up already!") or "起きられない" (okirarenai - "I can't wake up"). This contact with the real language facilitates learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 起こる (Okoru) - Happen, occur
• 発生する (Hassei suru) - Generate an event or occurrence, arise
• 生じる (Shojiru) - Cause, result in
• 現れる (Arawareru) - Appear, manifest
• 起こす (Okosu) - Cause, provoke an event
• 起こり得る (Okori uru) - Possible to happen

起きる

Romaji: okiru
Kana: おきる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: get up; move up

Meaning in English: to get up;to rise

Definition: waking up from sleep.

Example Sentences - (起きる) okiru

See below some example sentences:

朝早く起きるのは健康に良いです。

Asa hayaku okiru no wa kenkou ni yoi desu

Waking up early in the morning is good for health.

Waking up early in the morning is good for your health.

• 朝早く起きるのは - "Getting up early in the morning is"
• 健康に - "for health"
• 良いです - "good"