Processing keyword: Verb ようになる (〜you ni naru)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb ようになる (〜you ni naru)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll learn about the Japanese grammar point 〜ようになる (you ni naru). This structure is commonly used to express a change or transition in ability, habit, or state over time. It's a useful pattern to describe how someone has come to do something they couldn't do before, or how circumstances have changed.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The grammar point 〜ようになる means:

• "to come to (do something)"
• "to reach the point where (one does something)"
• "to become able to (do something)" It indicates a change from one state to another, especially regarding abilities, habits, or situations.

Structure

The formation of 〜ようになる depends on the verb form:

Formation Diagram

Examples

• 食べる (to eat) → 食べるようになる (come to eat/start eating)
• 行く (to go) → 行くようになる (come to go/start going)
• 食べない (not eat) → 食べないようになる (come to not eat/stop eating)

Detailed Explanation

• Verb Dictionary Form + ようになる This form expresses that one starts doing something they didn't do before or becomes able to do something they couldn't do previously. Example:
  • 日本語を話すようになりました。
    • Nihongo o hanasu you ni narimashita.
    • "I have come to speak Japanese."
• Verb ない-form + ようになる This form indicates that one stops doing something they used to do. Example:
  • 甘い物を食べないようになりました。
    • Amai mono o tabenai you ni narimashita.
    • "I have come to not eat sweets."

Visual Aid

The grammar point reflects a change over time:

[Before]                 [After]
Did not (do)         →   Does (do)
Unable to (do)       →   Able to (do)
Did (do)             →   Does not (do)

〜ようになる indicates the transition from the "Before" state to the "After" state.

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing with 〜になる

• 〜になる is used with nouns and na-adjectives to indicate becoming something. Example:
  • 先生になる。
    • Sensei ni naru.
    • "Become a teacher."
  • きれいになる。
    • Kirei ni naru.
    • "Become beautiful."
• い-adjectives use くなる. Example:
  • 暖かくなる。
    • Atatakaku naru.
    • "Become warm."

Comparing with 〜ようにする

• 〜ようにする means "to make an effort to do something" or "to try to do something". Example:
  • 毎日運動するようにしています。
    • Mainichi undou suru you ni shite imasu.
    • "I am making an effort to exercise every day."
• Difference:
  • 〜ようになる indicates a change that has already occurred.
  • 〜ようにする emphasizes the intention or effort to change.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Below are multiple example sentences demonstrating 〜ようになる in various contexts.

Example 1: Acquiring a New Ability

• 漢字が読めるようになりました。
  • Kanji ga yomeru you ni narimashita.
  • "I've become able to read kanji."

Example 2: Developing a Habit

• 毎朝ジョギングをするようになった。
  • Maiasa jogingu o suru you ni natta.
  • "I've started jogging every morning."

Example 3: Ceasing a Habit

• テレビをあまり見ないようになりました。
  • Terebi o amari minai you ni narimashita.
  • "I have come to not watch much TV."

Example 4: Change in Preference

• 辛い食べ物が好きなようになりました。
  • Karai tabemono ga suki na you ni narimashita.
  • "I've come to like spicy food."

Example 5: Formal Context

• お客様が増えるようになりました。
  • Okyakusama ga fueru you ni narimashita.
  • "The number of customers has increased."

Example 6: Negative Form

• 彼は夜遅くまで起きていないようになった。
  • Kare wa yoru osoku made okite inai you ni natta.
  • "He doesn't stay up late at night anymore."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, discussing personal growth and changes in habits is common and reflects self-improvement, which is a valued trait. Using 〜ようになる allows speakers to express changes modestly, aligning with the cultural emphasis on humility.

Levels of Politeness

• The politeness level is adjusted by changing the form of なる:
  • Plain Form:
    • 〜ようになる
    • Casual conversation among friends.
  • Polite Form:
    • 〜ようになります
    • Used in formal situations or with people of higher status.
  • Past Polite Form:
    • 〜ようになりました
    • Discussing past changes politely.

Idiomatic Expressions

• Vる + ようになる is often used in set phrases:
  • 見えるようになる
    • "To become visible" or "to start to see"
  • 聞こえるようになる
    • "To become audible" or "to start to hear"

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

Mistake 1: Using 〜になる directly with verbs.

• Incorrect: 日本語を話すになる。
  • Nihongo o hanasu ni naru.
• Correct: 日本語を話すようになる。
  • Nihongo o hanasu you ni naru. Explanation: 〜になる is not used directly with verbs. Use 〜ようになる to connect verbs with なる.

Mistake 2: Confusing 〜ようになる with 〜ようにする.

• Incorrect Usage: Using 〜ようにする when the change has already occurred.
  • 彼は野菜を食べるようにした。
    • Kare wa yasai o taberu you ni shita.
    • "He tried to eat vegetables." (Emphasis on effort)
• Correct Usage: When the change is complete.
  • 彼は野菜を食べるようになった。
    • Kare wa yasai o taberu you ni natta.
    • "He has started eating vegetables."

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • ようになる → Think of "becoming in the way of doing" something.
• Practice Creating Sentences:
  • Write sentences about changes in your own life to internalize the grammar.
• Visualizing Timeframes:
  • Imagine a timeline to conceptualize the transition from the old state to the new state.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• 〜ようになる expresses a change or transition in ability, habit, or state.
• Attach ようになる to the dictionary form of a verb to indicate starting something.
• Attach ようになる to the ない-form of a verb to indicate stopping something.
• Distinguish between 〜ようになる (change has occurred) and 〜ようにする (making an effort to change).

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Translate: "I've become able to drive a car." Answer:
   • 車を運転できるようになりました。
     • Kuruma o unten dekiru you ni narimashita.
2. Correct the error:
   • 彼は毎日泳ぐになる。 Correction:
   • 彼は毎日泳ぐようになる。
     • Kare wa mainichi oyogu you ni naru.
3. Explain the difference:
   • 食べるようになりました vs. 食べるようにしました Answer:
   • 食べるようになりました means "I have started eating (it has become that I eat)."
   • 食べるようにしました means "I tried to eat" or "I made an effort to eat." Congratulations! You've learned how to use 〜ようになる to describe changes in abilities, habits, or states in Japanese. Keep practicing to become more comfortable with this grammar point!