Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 4: 18/18

出(だ)す
to suddenly begin, to start doing

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[ます+ だす
Verb[ます+ だします
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
だす, or 出(だ)す in its kanji form is a verb that is regularly attached to the conjunctive form of other verbs. When it is connected in this way, it has the meaning of 'to suddenly do (A)', or 'to burst into (A)'.
To use this construction, simply add だす to the ます stem (conjunctive form) of the verb that you want to highlight as happening 'suddenly'.
  • 最初(さいしょ)から速(はや)く走(はし)りだすのは体(からだ)に良(よ)くない
    It is not good for your body if you suddenly start running fast.
  • 転(ころ)ん息子(むすこ)泣(な)きだす前(まえ)に、あめあげる
    After falling, I give my son candy before he bursts into tears.
Caution
Unlike はじめる, another common structure which means 'to begin', だす quite often has the nuance of being unintentional, or something that the subject cannot avoid doing (or cannot be controlled). On the other hand, はじめる expresses the direct intention of the subject to do (A).
  • コンサート歌手(かしゅ)歌(うた)歌(うた)い始(はじ)める
    At the concert, the singer will start singing. (Something that has been planned to be started)
  • 最近(さいきん)、友達(ともだち)授業(じゅぎょう)中(ちゅう)に歌(うた)いだした
    Recently, my friend suddenly burst into song during class. (Something that happened without any prior plan/expectation)
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彼(かれ)答(こた)え言(い)い出(だ)す時(とき)くしゃみした
He sneezed just as he started to say the answer.
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あの子(こ)急(きゅう)泣(な)き出(だ)した
That child suddenly started crying .
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面白(おもしろ)いこと今(いま)思(おも)い出(だ)した
I suddenly remembered something funny.
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Online
JGram
MaggieSensei
Books
Tobira
Page 171
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 102