Japanese Grammar: Making Something ~ (~します) vs Becoming ~ (~なります)

Grammar
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Sentence Pattern: I-adjective (い→く) + します

Sentence Pattern: I-adjective (い→く) + しshiまmaすsu

Grammar Explanation: Make something ~ (Used to intentionally change something into a certain state)

Ex.: テレビの音おとを大おおきくしました。

Rm.: Terebi no oto o ookiku shimashita.
En.: I turned up the TV volume.

Ex.: 屋や根ねの色いろを赤あかくしました。

Rm.: Yane no iro o akaku shimashita.
En.: I painted the roof red.

Ex.: もっと背せを高たかくしたいです。

Rm.: Motto se o takaku shitai desu.
En.: I want to be taller.

Sentence Pattern: Na-adjective (な→に) + します

Sentence Pattern: Na-adjective (な→に) + しshiまmaすsu

Grammar Explanation: Make something ~ (Used to intentionally change something into a certain state)

Ex.: 部へ屋やをきれいにしました。

Rm.: Heya o kirei ni shimashita.
En.: I cleaned the room.

Ex.: 玄げん関かんマットを豪ごう華かにしました。

Rm.: Genkan matto o gouka ni shimashita.
En.: I replaced the doormat with a more luxurious one.

Ex.: すみませんが、もう少すこし静しずかにしていただけませんか。

Rm.: Sumimasen ga, mou sukoshi shizuka ni shite itadakemasen ka.
En.: Excuse me, but could you please keep it down a little?

Sentence Pattern: Noun + に + します

Sentence Pattern: Noun + にni + しshiまmaすsu

Grammar Explanation: Make something ~ (Used to intentionally change something into a certain state)

Ex.: 健けん康こうのために、減げん塩えん醤しょう油ゆにしました。

Rm.: Kenkou no tame ni, genen shoyu ni shimashita.
En.: I switched to reduced-sodium soy sauce for my health.

Ex.: 洗せん濯たく機きをドラム式しきにしました。

Rm.: Sentakuki o doramu-shiki ni shimashita.
En.: I switched to a front-loading washing machine.

Ex.: お小こ遣づかいを半はん分ぶんに減へらさないで。

Rm.: Okodukai o hanbun ni herasanaide.
En.: Don’t cut my allowance in half.

Reference: Minna no Nihongo Lesson 44

Sentence Pattern: I-adjective (い→く) + なります

Sentence Pattern: I-adjective (い→く) + なnaりriまmaすsu

Grammar Explanation: Become ~ (Used to describe a change in a person or thing that occurs naturally or as a result of external factors, including changes in occupation or status.)

Ex.: 最さい近きん、だんだん寒さむくなってきました。

Rm.: Saikin, dandan samuku natte kimashita.
En.: It’s been getting colder lately.

Ex.: 林りん檎ごが赤あかくなりました。

Rm.: Ringo ga akaku narimashita.
En.: The apple turned red.

Ex.: 最さい近きん、どんどん物ぶっ価かが高たかくなってきています。

Rm.: Saikin, dondon bukka ga takaku natte kite imasu.
En.: Prices have been rising rapidly lately.

Sentence Pattern: Na-adjective (な→に) + なります

Sentence Pattern: Na-adjective (な→に) + なnaりriまmaすsu

Grammar Explanation: Become ~ (Used to describe a change in a person or thing that occurs naturally or as a result of external factors, including changes in occupation or status.)

Ex.: 手しゅ術じゅつが成せい功こうして、おばあさんは元げん気きになりました。

Rm.: Shujutsu ga seikou shite, obaasan wa genki ni narimashita.
En.: The surgery was successful, and the elderly woman got better.

Ex.: 今いまの仕し事ごとが嫌いやになりました。

Rm.: Ima no shigoto ga iya ni narimashita.
En.: I’ve grown tired of my current job.

Ex.: 地ち下か鉄てつが開かい通つうして、便べん利りになりました。

Rm.: Chikatetsu ga kaitsuu shite, benri ni narimashita.
En.: Things have become more convenient since the subway line opened.

Sentence Pattern: Noun + に + なります

Sentence Pattern: Noun + にni + なnaりriまmaすsu

Grammar Explanation: Become ~ (Used to describe a change in a person or thing that occurs naturally or as a result of external factors, including changes in occupation or status.)

Ex.: 蛹さなぎがアゲハ蝶ちょうになりました。

Rm.: Sanagi ga ageha chou ni narimashita.
En.: The chrysalis turned into a swallowtail butterfly.

Ex.: 一いち番ばん上うえの兄あには医い者しゃになりました。

Rm.: Ichiban ue no ani wa isha ni narimashita.
En.: My eldest brother became a doctor.

Ex.: 明あし日た25歳さいになります。

Rm.: Ashita nijuu go sai ni narimasu.
En.: I’ll turn 25 tomorrow.

Reference: Minna no Nihongo Lesson 19

だんだん(Gradually)

だdaんnだdaんn

Grammar Explanation: Gradually (used to describe a change that happens little by little over time).

Ex.: だんだん暖あたたかくなってきました。

Rm.: Dandan atatakaku natte kimashita.
En.: It’s gradually getting warmer.

どんどん(More and more/Rapidly)

どdoんnどdoんn

Grammar Explanation: More and more/rapidly (used to describe a change that happens quickly or progresses steadily).

Ex.: どんどん暑あつくなってきました。

Rm.: Dondon atsuku natte kimashita.
En.: It’s getting hotter and hotter.

Japanese Grammar (日本語文法)
Learn essential Japanese grammar for daily conversations with clear explanations, examples, illustrations, and English translations. Study Minna no Nihongo grammar for JLPT N4–N5.
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