Processing keyword: ～ようになった (〜you ni natta)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～ようになった (〜you ni natta)

～ようになった (〜you ni natta)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point ～ようになった (〜you ni natta), which is used to express a change or development in ability, habit, or situation over time. Understanding this structure will enable you to describe how you or others have started to do something or have come to be able to do something.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

The expression ～ようになった is used to indicate that someone has begun to do something or has come to be able to do something that they didn't do before. It emphasizes a change in state or habit.

• Translation Equivalents:
  • "Started to..."
  • "Became able to..."
  • "Came to (do something)..."

Structure and Formation

Formation

To form this expression, attach ようになった to the dictionary form or negative form of a verb. Structure Diagram:

[Verb Dictionary Form] + ようになった
[Verb Negative Form] + ようになった

Verb Forms: | Verb Form | Construction | Example | |----------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Affirmative (する) | するようになった | 勉強するようになった | | Negative (しない) | しないようになった | 甘い物を食べないようになった |

Examples:

1. Affirmative Form:
   • 学校で英語を話すようになった。 I have started speaking English at school.
2. Negative Form:
   • 毎日テレビを見ないようになった。 I have stopped watching TV every day.

Visual Aid: Verb Formation Chart

3. Comparative Analysis

～ようになった vs. ～始める (〜hajimeru)

While both ～ようになった and ～始める can indicate the start of an action, they have nuanced differences:

• ～始める
  • Attaches directly to the ます-stem of a verb.
  • Emphasizes the starting point of an action.
  • Used for actions that have a clear beginning.
• ～ようになった
  • Attaches to the dictionary form or negative form.
  • Emphasizes a change in habit or ability over time.
  • Indicates that something was not done before but has become a habit or ability. Example Comparison:
• 日本語を勉強し始めた。 I started studying Japanese. (Emphasis on the moment I began.)
• 日本語を話すようになった。 I have become able to speak Japanese. (Emphasis on the development over time.)

4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. 会社でスーツを着るようになりました。 I have started wearing suits at the company.
2. 彼は野菜を食べるようになりました。 He has started eating vegetables.

Informal Situations

1. 最近、早起きするようになった。 Lately, I've started getting up early.
2. 彼女はコーヒーを飲まないようになったらしい。 It seems she has stopped drinking coffee.

Negative Form Examples

1. 週末は仕事をしないようになった。 I've stopped working on weekends.
2. 無駄遣いをしないようになりました。 I have stopped wasting money.

Additional Contexts

1. 子供の頃より、辛い食べ物が食べられるようになった。 I've become able to eat spicy food compared to when I was a child.
2. 健康のために運動するようになった。 I've started exercising for my health.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, personal development and gradual improvement are highly valued. The use of ～ようになった reflects a recognition of changes in one's habits or abilities, often due to effort or life circumstances.

• Politeness Levels: The expression can be used in both formal and informal contexts by adjusting the politeness of the verb (e.g., なった → なりました).

Idiomatic Expressions

• 日本語がわかるようになった。 I've come to understand Japanese.
• 早寝早起きするようになった。 I've gotten into the habit of sleeping early and waking up early. These expressions are commonly used to discuss improvements in skills or changes in lifestyle.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using the ます-form instead of the dictionary form:
   • Incorrect: 食べますようになった。
   • Correct: 食べるようになった。
2. Confusing with potential form (〜れる/られる):
   • Potential form expresses ability in general, whereas ～ようになった emphasizes a change in ability or habit.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of ようになった as "It became so that..." which helps remember that it's about a change to a new state.
• Practice Tip: Create sentences about your own life changes to internalize the structure.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～ようになった is used to express a change or development in ability or habit over time.
• Attach ようになった to the dictionary form or negative form of a verb.
• It highlights that something that wasn't true before has become true now.

Quick Recap Quiz

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb and ～ようになった:

1. 毎日ランニングをする______。(I have started running every day.) Answer: ようになった
2. 甘い物を食べ______ようになった。(I have stopped eating sweets.) Answer: ない
3. 彼は日本語を話す______。(He has become able to speak Japanese.) Answer: ようになった

Thank you for studying ～ようになった! Keep practicing by making your own sentences to describe changes in your habits or abilities.