Today, we studied Lesson 1 from the textbook. You understood the difference between 「これ・あれ・それ」 very well. You can also use 「〜じゃありません」 now. Next week, let’s continue our Japanese lesson while talking about travel.
The Difference Between 「木を倒します」「木が倒れています」「木が倒されています」
In Japanese, even when talking about the same situation (“a tree falls/is down”), the verb form changes depending on:
whether someone does the action, whether it happens naturally, or whether something/someone causes it. ① 木を倒します (Transitive Verb) Form 木 を 倒します 「倒す」 = transitive verb Meaning
“Someone knocks down a tree.”
A person or agent performs the action.
Key Points Uses the particle 「を」 There is someone doing the action Focuses on “who did it” Examples 作業員が木を倒します。 “The workers will cut down the tree.” 台風で危ない木を倒しました。 “We cut down a dangerous tree because of the typhoon.” 兄が木を倒しています。 “My older brother is knocking down a tree.” Image
👉 “A person performs an action.”
② 木が倒れています (Intransitive Verb) Form 木 が 倒れています 「倒れる」 = intransitive verb Meaning
“The tree is down / has fallen over.”
This describes the state or result. It does not focus on who caused it.
Key Points Uses the particle 「が」 Describes a state or result Often sounds natural/spontaneous Focuses on the current condition Examples 道に木が倒れています。 “A tree has fallen on the road.” 台風のあと、公園の木が倒れていました。 “After the typhoon, trees in the park had fallen over.” 古い木が倒れています。 “An old tree is lying fallen over.” Image
