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)

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

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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. Fill in the blank:
   部屋を静か___します。
   Answer: に
2. Choose the correct particle:
   飲み物___コーラにします。
   a) を
   b) は
   Answer: b) は
3. 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.