Abstract
From the viewpoint of so-called “aspect”, Japanese verbs can be classified under four categories, and the verbs under one category, appear in fairly remarkable contrast with those under the other categories, in the use of conjugated forms, in the meaning when combined with particles and auxiliary verbs, etc.
The verbs of the first category express “certain states” ratheir than movements or actions; e. g.“am [to be], ”“dekiru [to be. able].” For instance, these verbs cannot be used together with an auxiliary verb “iru [to be in the state of-].”
Those of the second category express movements or actions which last for a certain space of time; e. g.“(hon o) yomu.[to read (a book)], ”“(ame ga) furu [it rains]” When an auxiliary verb “iru” is added to this kind of verb, this combination means that a movement or action is now being carried on.
Those of the third category, like those of the second, express movements or actions, but these movements or actions are of the kind which comes to and ;end in and instant; e. g.“shinu [to die], ”“(dento ga) tsuku [to be lighted (said of an electric light).” When combined with the auxiliary verb “iru”, a verb. of this kind expresses the consequent state of the movement of action.
Those classified under the fourth category are the special kind of verbs Teach express “certain states” like the first; e. g.“sobieru to stand out, to rise prominently], ”“botehan-botchan-suru [to be (to come to be) like a pampered boy].” These are not spoken alone, but usually-with the auxiliary verb “iru, ” and together express, like the verbs of the first category, “certain states.”
