出す
To suddenly begin, To start doing
Structure
Explanation
The verb だす, written as 出す with kanji, is often attached to the stem of other verbs. This combination expresses that an action began abruptly or unexpectedly.
To form this grammar point, take the verb stem (the part remaining after removing ます) and attach だす. This emphasizes the sudden start of the action.
- 映画を見ていると、突然雨が降りだした。While I was watching a movie, it suddenly started to rain.
- その面白い話を聞いて、みんなが笑いだした。When they heard that funny story, everyone burst out laughing.
Caution
In contrast to はじめる, which also means 'to begin', だす carries a strong nuance of an action starting spontaneously. It often implies that the beginning was involuntary or not consciously controlled, whereas はじめる indicates that the subject intentionally started the action.
- 会議が三時に始まりますから、資料を読み始めましょう。The meeting starts at 3:00, so let's begin reading the documents. (Indicates an intentional start)
- 静かな部屋で、犬が急にほえだした。In the quiet room, the dog suddenly started barking. (Refers to an unplanned, spontaneous event)
Examples
授業中に、隣の席の人が突然歌いだした。
The person in the seat next to me suddenly started singing in the middle of class.
彼は些細なことで急に怒りだした。
He suddenly got angry over something trivial.
音楽が流れると、赤ちゃんが踊りだした。
As soon as the music played, the baby started dancing.
壊れていたはずの時計が、急に動きだした。
The clock, which I thought was broken, suddenly started moving.
ポケットの中のスマホが光りだした。
The smartphone in my pocket started to light up.
静かだった彼が、自分の過去について話しだした。
He, who had been quiet, suddenly started talking about his past.
先生が教室を出たとたん、子供たちが騒ぎだした。
The moment the teacher left the classroom, the children started making a ruckus.
治療が終わったはずなのに、また歯が痛みだした。
Even though the treatment was supposed to be over, my tooth started hurting again.
映画館で携帯電話が鳴りだし、みんなが迷惑そうな顔をした。
A cell phone started ringing in the movie theater, and everyone looked annoyed.
暑さでテーブルの上のアイスクリームが溶けだした。
Due to the heat, the ice cream on the table started to melt.
静かな図書館で、誰かが急に吹きだした。
In the quiet library, someone suddenly burst out laughing.
強い風が吹いて、桜の花が散りだした。
A strong wind blew, and the cherry blossoms started to scatter.