Processing keyword: な-Adjective に します (na-Adjective ni shimasu)
Japanese Grammar Point: な-Adjective に します (na-Adjective ni shimasu)
1. Introduction
In this lesson, we'll learn how to use な-adjectives with にします to express the idea of making something become a certain state or deciding on something. This construction is useful when you want to indicate a change or a decision that leads to a new condition described by a な-adjective.
2. Core Grammar Explanation
Meaning
The grammar pattern な-adjective + にします means:
- "To make something (adjective)"
- "To decide on something being (adjective)" It conveys that someone causes something to change into a state described by the な-adjective or makes a decision involving that adjective.
Structure
Formation:
[Object] を + [な-adjective] に + します
- [Object] を: The object you are changing or deciding on.
- [な-adjective] に: The adjective in adverbial form (adding に).
- します: The verb "to do," indicating making or deciding.
Formation Diagram
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| [Object] を | Indicates the object being acted on |
| [な-adjective] に | Describes the new state or condition |
| します | Expresses the action of making or deciding |
3. Comparative Analysis
Comparison with い-Adjectives
When using い-adjectives, the formation is slightly different:
- い-adjective (remove い) + くします Example with い-adjective:
部屋を明るくします。
Heya o akaruku shimasu.
"I will make the room bright."
Example with な-adjective:
部屋を静かにします。
Heya o shizuka ni shimasu.
"I will make the room quiet."
Key Differences
- な-adjectives: Add に before します.
- い-adjectives: Change the い to く before します.
4. Examples in Context
Example 1: Formal Context
部屋を綺麗にしました。
Heya o kirei ni shimashita.
"I made the room clean."
Example 2: Informal Context
音楽を賑やかにしよう。
Ongaku o nigiyaka ni shiyou.
"Let's make the music lively."
Example 3: Decision Making
飲み物はコーヒーにします。
Nomimono wa kōhī ni shimasu.
"I'll have coffee as my drink."
Example 4: Polite Request
説明を簡単にしてください。
Setsumei o kantan ni shite kudasai.
"Please simplify the explanation."
Example 5: Changing a State
髪を綺麗にします。
Kami o kirei ni shimasu.
"I will make my hair look nice."
5. Cultural Notes
Cultural Relevance
Making Decisions: In contexts like ordering food or making choices, 〜にします is commonly used to indicate a decision.
Example:
私は寿司にします。
Watashi wa sushi ni shimasu.
"I'll have sushi."
Levels of Politeness
Using します is polite. For casual speech, する can be used instead.
Example (Casual):
部屋を綺麗にする。
Heya o kirei ni suru.
"I'll make the room clean."
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
Error Analysis
- Using the Wrong Particle
- Incorrect: 部屋が綺麗にします。
- Correct: 部屋を綺麗にします。
- Tip: Always use を to mark the object being changed.
- Confusing に and く
- Incorrect with な-adjective: 静かくします。
- Correct: 静かにします。
- Tip: Remember that な-adjectives use に, while い-adjectives use く.
Learning Strategies
- Mnemonic Device: For な-adjectives, think "な turns to に before します."
- Practice Exercise: Create sentences by choosing objects and な-adjectives, then apply the grammar pattern.
7. Summary and Review
Key Takeaways
- な-adjective + にします is used to express making something become a certain state or deciding on something.
- Formation: [Object] を + [な-adjective] に + します
- For い-adjectives, use くします instead of にします.
- Remember to use the particle を with the object.
Quick Recap Quiz
- Fill in the blank:
部屋を静か___します。
Answer: に - Choose the correct particle:
飲み物___コーラにします。
a) を
b) は
Answer: b) は - Convert to using な-adjective + にします:
"I will make the explanation simple." Use 簡単 (kantan).
Answer: 説明を簡単にします。
By mastering this grammar point, you'll be able to describe changes and decisions effectively in Japanese. Keep practicing to become more comfortable with using な-adjective + にします in various contexts.