Processing keyword: Noun に します (Noun ni shimasu)

Japanese Grammar Point: Noun に します (Noun ni shimasu)

1. Introduction

The grammar point "Noun にします" (Noun ni shimasu) is commonly used in Japanese to express a decision or choice among options. It translates to "I will have...", "I'll go with...", or "I choose..." in English. This construction is especially frequent in daily conversations, such as ordering food, shopping, or deciding on plans.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• "Noun にします" is used to indicate that the speaker has decided on a particular noun (item, option, or choice).
• It conveys a sense of making a selection from available options.

Structure

The basic formation of this grammar point is:

[Chosen Noun] + にします

• [Chosen Noun]: The item or option you are choosing.
• にします: The verb phrase meaning "will do/make it into".

Formation Diagram

[Chosen Noun] + に (particle) + します (verb)

• に: A particle indicating the target or result of the action.
• します: The polite form of the verb する (to do).

Visual Aid: Example Table

English	Japanese
I'll have tea.	お茶にします。
We'll go with Plan B.	プランBにします。
She chooses the cake.	彼女はケーキにします。

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with "Noun をします"

• "Noun をします": Means "to do [noun]", where the noun is often an activity.
  • Example: テニスをします。("I play tennis.")
• "Noun にします": Means "to decide on [noun]", indicating a choice.
  • Example: テニスにします。("I'll go with tennis [as my choice].")

Nuances

• にします focuses on the selection process.
• をします focuses on performing an action.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

• 注文するとき (When ordering):
  • お客様: コーヒーとサンドイッチをください。
  • 店員: サンドイッチはハムとチーズがありますが、どちらにしますか。
  • お客様: チーズにします。
    • Customer: "Coffee and a sandwich, please."
    • Clerk: "We have ham and cheese sandwiches; which would you like?"
    • Customer: "I'll have the cheese."

Informal Situations

• 友達との会話 (Conversation with friends):
  • Aさん: 今日、映画とカラオケ、どっちにする？
  • Bさん: 映画にするよ。
    • A: "Today, movie or karaoke, which shall we do?"
    • B: "Let's go with a movie."

Written Context

• アンケートで (In a survey):
  • ご希望の配送方法にチェックしてください。
    • • 普通便
    • • 速達便
    • "Please check your preferred delivery method."

Spoken Context

• 買い物で (While shopping):
  • 店員: 色は赤と青があります。
  • 客: 青にします。
    • Clerk: "We have red and blue colors."
    • Customer: "I'll take blue."

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Making choices politely is important in Japanese culture.
• にします is a polite way to state your decision without being too direct.

Levels of Politeness

• にします is polite and appropriate in most situations.
• In very casual settings, one might simply say the noun:
  • Example: ビール。 ("Beer.") – Very casual.

Idiomatic Expressions

• お任せにします。
  • "I'll leave it up to you." – Often used in restaurants when you trust the chef's choice.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using を instead of に:
   • Incorrect: 寿司をします。
   • Correct: 寿司にします。
     • "I'll have sushi."
2. Omitting します in polite conversation:
   • Incorrect: コーヒーに。
   • Correct: コーヒーにします。
     • "I'll have coffee."

Tips to Remember

• Think of に as pointing to your choice.
• します adds politeness and formality to your decision.
• Associate にします with making decisions or choices.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• "Noun にします" is used to express a decision or choice.
• It's structured by adding にします to the noun representing your choice.
• Used frequently in daily life when selecting items, ordering food, or making plans.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "I'll choose this one" using にします?
   • Answer: これにします。
2. What's the difference between パンを食べます and パンにします?
   • Answer: パンを食べます means "I will eat bread." パンにします means "I'll have bread (as my choice)."
3. Translate to Japanese: "We will go with the morning flight."
   • Answer: 午前の便にします。

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By mastering "Noun にします", you can effectively communicate your choices and decisions in a polite and natural manner in Japanese.

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