Meaning and Usage
The verb 起こす (おこす) primarily means "to wake someone up" from sleep. It is a transitive verb, so it requires a direct object, usually a person who is being woken. Beyond this literal meaning, 起こす can also mean "to cause" or "to bring about" something, such as an event or a state, like "causing energy" or "starting an incident."
Common Collocations
- 起こす (someone) を: to wake someone up
- 事故を起こす: to cause an accident
- 活気を起こす: to bring energy or liveliness
Register and Politeness
起こす is a neutral verb used in everyday conversation. For polite speech, use 起こします.
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse 起こす with 起きる (おきる), which is an intransitive verb meaning "to wake up" or "to get up" by oneself. 起こす always involves waking or causing something to happen to someone or something else.