なる

To Become

Level 1Sounds Like naru

The verb なる is used to express a change from one state to another. It is the intransitive counterpart to する, focusing on the result of the change rather than who caused it.

How It Works

なる is one of the most essential verbs in Japanese for describing growth, natural changes, and transitions. Because it is an intransitive verb, it describes a change that happens (often naturally or spontaneously) rather than a change someone intentionally makes.

Grammar Rules:

  • Nouns: [Noun] + に + なる
    Example: 先生（せんせい）になる (Become a teacher)
  • Na-Adjectives: [Stem] + に + なる
    Example: 静か（しずか）になる (Become quiet)
  • I-Adjectives: [Stem (drop い)] + く + なる
    Example: 寒（さむ）くなる (Become cold)
  • Verbs: [Dictionary Form] or [Negative Form] + ように + なる
    Example: 話（はな）せるようになる (Become able to speak) or 食べないようになる (Become so that one doesn't eat)

Special Case: The adjective いい (good) always changes to よくなる (become good/improve).

Note on Tense: The past tense なった (or なりました) is very common because we often describe changes that have already occurred.

Nuance: Unlike する, which implies an agent making a change, なる focuses on the process or the end result of the transformation itself.

Examples (5)

  1. 来年、二十歳になります。

    I will become 20 years old next year.

    Word by Word: Next year, twenty-years-old to become.

    Uses the [Noun] + に なる pattern to show a change in age.

  2. 最近、日が短くなりましたね。

    The days have gotten shorter lately, haven't they?

    Word by Word: Lately, sun (subject) short became, right?

    Uses the [I-Adjective] + く なる pattern (短くなる) to describe a natural change in the environment.

  3. 薬を飲んで、元気になった。

    I took medicine and got well (became healthy).

    Word by Word: Medicine having drunk, healthy became.

    Uses the [Na-Adjective] + に なる pattern (元気になった) to show a change in physical condition.

  4. 日本語が上手になりましたね。

    Your Japanese has become very good, hasn't it?

    Word by Word: Japanese (subject) skillful became, right?

    Uses the [Na-Adjective] + に なる pattern to compliment someone's progress.

  5. もっと安くなればいいのに。

    I wish it would become cheaper.

    Word by Word: More cheap if-become good although.

    Combines the [I-Adjective] + く なる pattern with the conditional ば form.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plain form of an I-adjective before なる.

    寒いになりました。
    寒くなりました。

    I-adjectives must change their ending to 〜く before they can connect to なる. You cannot use the dictionary form directly.

  • Using になる when ordering food at a restaurant.

    コーヒーになります。
    コーヒーにします。

    When you make a choice (like ordering), you should use にする (to decide on). Using になる sounds like you are literally transforming into coffee!

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

なるLevel 1To Become

Learn This First

To use 'naru' (to become), you need to understand how it interacts with different parts of speech. It requires the particle 'ni' for nouns and na-adjectives, and a specific adverbial form (-ku) for i-adjectives. Basic knowledge of how verbs function in Japanese is also essential.

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