Meaning

Primary

To Be Fixed

Alternatives

To Be Back In Working Order, To Be Back To Normal

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. You already learned that 直す means "to fix," where someone actively does the fixing. Well, 直る puts the focus on the thing getting fixed, so it means to be fixed or to be back in working order.

In other words, don't use it to say "I fixed it," but do use it to say "It's fixed!" or "It's back to normal!" To remember this, imagine a British person excitedly shouting, "My loo () was broken, but now it's fixed!”

Reading

なおる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You learned this reading with 直す, but here's a mnemonic in case you forgot:

Something needs to be fixed now (なお)! Seriously, it's urgent! You need this thing to be back in working order right now!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • クセが直る

    the habit is fixed

    おもちゃが直る

    the toy is fixed

    バグが直る

    the bug is fixed (computer)

Context Sentences

もうすぐ、インターネットのルーターが直ると思う。

I think the internet router will be fixed soon.

出血が止まって、足首のいたみも直った。

The bleeding stopped and the pain in the ankle went away.

今日トイレが直らないと仕方がない。

If the toilet doesn't get fixed today, there is nothing we can do.

Kanji Composition