Meaning

Primary

To Wake Someone Up

Alternative

To Cause Something

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

You've seen 起きる which is "to wake up." This is similar, except you are waking someone else up, which makes the meaning of this word to wake someone up. How do you differentiate between this and 起きる? Because of the on the end. You wake someone up violently, wrenching their neck. They turn around and sue () you, making you wish you never woke them up.

This can also mean to cause something. I guess if you wake someone up and they're not a morning person, you could cause something... like trouble.

Reading

おこす
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is the same as 起きる, so as long as you know that word you should be able to read this one. Of course, you can also imagine them yelling "OH!" when you shake them awake too, if that helps.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 息子を起こす

    to wake up one's son

    母を起こす

    to wake up one's mother

    父を起こす

    to wake up one's father

Context Sentences

ゼッタイ起こすなよ。

Don't wake him up for anything.

明日の朝、起こしてくれない?

Can you wake me up tomorrow morning?

その人、仕事で問題を起こして、首になったんだよ。

That person caused a problem at work and got fired.

ビエットが100%正しいよ。今すぐコウイチ起こすべきだよ。

You are absolutely correct, Viet! We should definitely wake Koichi up right now!

Kanji Composition