Japanese Compound Verbs: 〜始める, 〜続ける, 〜出す and 30+ More
Japanese compound verbs (複合動詞, fukugō dōshi) are one of the most productive structures in the language. By combining two verbs — a primary action verb (V1) and a modifying verb (V2) — Japanese expresses nuances of aspect, manner, and direction that English requires whole phrases to convey. Once you internalise the most common V2 auxiliaries, you gain the ability to generate and understand hundreds of compound forms you have never encountered before.
This guide covers 14 core compound verb patterns with meanings, usage notes, and over 30 example sentences with readings. It also explains how to guess the meaning of unfamiliar compounds from their components.
How Japanese Compound Verbs Are Formed
The structure is always: V1 masu-stem + V2 (conjugated). Take the masu-form of V1, remove ます, and attach V2 directly.
The compound verb conjugates as a single unit following V2's conjugation pattern. If V2 is ichidan (e.g. 始める), the compound is ichidan. If V2 is godan (e.g. 出す), it conjugates as godan: 走り出します, 走り出した, 走り出さない etc.
Two Types: Aspectual vs Lexical Compounds
Type 1: Aspectual (grammaticalised V2)
These are the most learnable — V2 functions like a grammatical suffix with a predictable meaning regardless of V1. The 14 patterns below are all aspectual. Learn the V2 pattern once and apply it to any compatible V1.
Type 2: Lexical (idiomatic compound)
In lexical compounds, the meaning is not simply V1 + V2. The compound must be learned as a fixed unit:
14 Core Compound Verb Patterns
These second-position verbs appear with dozens of first verbs. Learn what each contributes and you can decode any compound you encounter.
| Pattern | Core meaning | Example compound | English | Usage note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 〜始める はじめる | start doing (gradual/planned) | 食べ始める たべはじめる | start eating | Natural or deliberate onset. Works for both inanimate subjects and people. |
| 〜続ける つづける | continue doing | 書き続ける かきつづける | keep writing | Uninterrupted ongoing action. Animate or inanimate subjects. |
| 〜終わる おわる | finish doing | 読み終わる よみおわる | finish reading | Action reaches its natural conclusion. 〜終える is the transitive counterpart. |
| 〜出す だす | suddenly start (spontaneous) | 泣き出す なきだす | burst into tears | Sudden, unexpected, or uncontrolled onset. Cannot be used for deliberate starts. |
| 〜込む こむ | into / deeply / intensively | 飛び込む とびこむ | jump in | Inward movement, deep absorption, or thorough action. Very productive — learn individual compounds. |
| 〜上げる あげる | complete / raise / finish thoroughly | 仕上げる しあげる | complete/finish up | Sense of completion to a high standard or literal upward movement. |
| 〜直す なおす | redo / fix / do again (to correct) | 書き直す かきなおす | rewrite | Implies the first attempt was wrong or unsatisfactory. |
| 〜合う あう | mutually / together / with each other | 話し合う はなしあう | discuss (mutually) | Reciprocal action between two or more parties. |
| 〜かける かける | start but not finish / about to | 食べかける たべかける | leave half-eaten | 〜かけの (attributive) = something left unfinished. |
| 〜過ぎる すぎる | do too much / excessively | 食べ過ぎる たべすぎる | overeat | Also attaches to adjective stems: 高すぎる (too expensive), 大きすぎる (too big). |
| 〜切る きる | completely / to the end / decisively | 走り切る はしりきる | run all the way through | 〜きれない (cannot do completely) is very common in natural speech. |
| 〜忘れる わすれる | forget to do | 言い忘れる いいわすれる | forget to say | Distinguish from 忘れる alone: 傘を忘れた (forgot umbrella) vs 傘を持ってき忘れた (forgot to bring). |
| 〜慣れる なれる | become accustomed to doing | 使い慣れる つかいなれる | get used to using | Habitual acquisition through repeated experience. |
| 〜返す かえす | do back / in return / repeatedly | 繰り返す くりかえす | repeat / do over and over | 繰り返す is one of the most lexicalised and common compounds in this group. |
〜始める vs 〜出す: Two Ways to Say "Start"
Both express starting, but with important nuance:
〜始める = planned or natural progression. Works for both deliberate actions and gradual processes.
〜出す = sudden, spontaneous start — often beyond the subject's control. Cannot be used for things you intentionally initiate.
〜込む in Depth: Five Distinct Meanings
〜込む is the most semantically versatile V2. The core concept is "inward movement," but this materialises differently depending on V1:
- Physical inward movement飛び込む (とびこむ) — jump in押し込む (おしこむ) — push in / shove into
- Deep psychological absorption考え込む (かんがえこむ) — be lost in thought思い込む (おもいこむ) — be firmly convinced / have a fixed belief
- Thorough / intensive action飲み込む (のみこむ) — swallow; grasp/understand thoroughly話し込む (はなしこむ) — get deep in conversation
- Writing/entering into a container書き込む (かきこむ) — fill in (a form); post (online)打ち込む (うちこむ) — type in; devote oneself to
- Crowding / packing詰め込む (つめこむ) — pack tightly; cram割り込む (わりこむ) — cut in line; interrupt
〜直す, 〜合う, and 〜上げる in Practice
〜直す (redo / correct)
〜合う (mutual action)
〜上げる (complete to a high standard)
How to Guess the Meaning of Unfamiliar Compounds
When you encounter a compound verb you have never seen, follow this three-step process:
- Identify V1 and V2. Find the masu-stem boundary. Most V2 elements are recognisable standalone verbs.
- Apply V2's core meaning. Even in idiomatic compounds, V2's literal meaning leaves traces: 使い切る (use + cut/through = use up completely), 食べかける (eat + hang/begin = start eating and leave unfinished).
- Use context to confirm. Sentence context resolves ambiguity in verbs like 打ち込む which can mean "type in" or "throw yourself into."
Common Mistakes with Compound Verbs
食べる始める (dictionary form for V1)
Right食べ始める (masu-stem)
V1 must use the masu-stem (連用形). 食べる → 食べ, 書く → 書き, 飲む → 飲み, 来る → 来 (き).
突然、笑い始めた (for a spontaneous burst of laughter)
Natural突然、笑い出した
〜始める sounds deliberate or gradual. For uncontrolled, sudden actions, 〜出す is the natural choice.
Are your compound verbs natural?
ZISTICA MOJIIQ's AI checks not just whether your compound verbs are grammatically formed, but whether they are the natural choice in context — the difference between textbook and real Japanese.
Check my Japanese free →Take a JLPT mock examFrequently asked questions
What are Japanese compound verbs?
Japanese compound verbs (複合動詞, fukugo-doushi) combine two verbs: V1 (masu-stem) + V2. The first verb contributes the action; the second adds direction, aspect, or nuance. Examples: 食べ始める (start eating), 書き続ける (keep writing), 走り出す (suddenly start running). They appear frequently at N3–N1 level.
How do I form Japanese compound verbs?
Take the masu-stem (verb stem, ます-form without ます) of V1 and attach V2 directly. 食べる (taberu) → 食べ + 始める = 食べ始める. 書く (kaku) → 書き + 続ける = 書き続ける. The compound conjugates as a single verb based on V2's group.
What is the difference between 〜出す and 〜始める?
〜始める means "start doing (planned or gradual)" — 食べ始める = start eating. 〜出す implies "suddenly start" or "start doing spontaneously/unexpectedly" — 泣き出す = suddenly burst into tears, 走り出す = suddenly start running. 〜出す carries a sense of the action beginning without deliberate intent.
Can 〜込む be used with any verb?
〜込む is productive but not unlimited. It attaches to verb stems where "going into" or "going deep into" makes sense: 飲み込む (swallow, literally drink-in), 書き込む (write in, fill in a form), 考え込む (think deeply, be lost in thought), 飛び込む (jump in). It does not attach to verbs where inward movement is semantically impossible.
Are compound verbs tested on the JLPT?
Yes — compound verbs appear in JLPT N3, N2, and N1 vocabulary sections. Common N3 compounds: 食べ始める, 書き直す, 走り出す, 持ち込む. N2/N1 introduce more abstract compounds: 言い張る (insist), 見渡す (survey/overlook), 落ち着く (calm down), 追い越す (overtake).