Learning Japanese can be a rewarding and intellectually stimulating experience. One of the intriguing aspects of Japanese grammar is how adjectives can be modified to express changes in state or condition. In this article, we’ll delve into the grammatical construction of “Adjective + くなる” (kuru naru), a fundamental yet powerful tool in the Japanese language. By the end of this article, you’ll have a strong understanding of how to use this construction effectively in various contexts.
Understanding the Basics
In Japanese, adjectives are divided into two main categories: い-adjectives (i-adjectives) and な-adjectives (na-adjectives). Both types of adjectives can be used to describe nouns, but they follow different grammatical rules.
– **い-adjectives** typically end in “い” (i) when in their dictionary form. Examples include “高い” (takai, high/tall) and “寒い” (samui, cold).
– **な-adjectives** require the particle “な” (na) when used directly before a noun. Examples include “静かな” (shizukana, quiet) and “便利な” (benrina, convenient).
The construction “Adjective + くなる” is used to indicate that something becomes or changes into the state described by the adjective. This construction is primarily used with い-adjectives, although a similar structure is used for な-adjectives.
い-Adjectives + くなる
To use い-adjectives in the “Adjective + くなる” form, you need to follow a straightforward transformation:
1. Remove the final “い” (i) from the い-adjective.
2. Add “くなる” (kuru naru) to the adjective root.
Let’s look at some examples to illustrate this process:
– 高い (takai, high/tall) becomes 高くなる (takaku naru, to become higher/taller).
– 寒い (samui, cold) becomes 寒くなる (samuku naru, to become colder).
In these examples, the final “い” is removed, and “くなる” is added, resulting in the meaning “to become [adjective].”
Examples in Sentences
To better understand how this construction is used in real sentences, let’s consider some practical examples:
1. 天気が寒くなりました。 (Tenki ga samuku narimashita.)
– The weather has become colder.
2. 彼の日本語が上手くなった。 (Kare no Nihongo ga umaku natta.)
– His Japanese has become better.
3. この道は狭くなる。 (Kono michi wa semaku naru.)
– This road becomes narrower.
In these sentences, you can see how the “Adjective + くなる” construction is used to describe changes in state or condition over time.
な-Adjectives + になる
While い-adjectives use “くなる,” な-adjectives use a slightly different construction: “Adjective + になる” (ni naru). The process is just as simple:
1. Use the dictionary form of the な-adjective.
2. Add “になる” (ni naru) to the adjective.
Let’s look at some examples:
– 静かな (shizukana, quiet) becomes 静かになる (shizuka ni naru, to become quiet).
– 便利な (benrina, convenient) becomes 便利になる (benri ni naru, to become convenient).
Examples in Sentences
Here are some examples of な-adjectives in sentences using the “Adjective + になる” construction:
1. 部屋が静かになりました。 (Heya ga shizuka ni narimashita.)
– The room has become quiet.
2. このアプリはもっと便利になるでしょう。 (Kono apuri wa motto benri ni naru deshou.)
– This app will probably become more convenient.
3. 彼の態度が真面目になった。 (Kare no taido ga majime ni natta.)
– His attitude has become serious.
By observing these examples, you can see how the “Adjective + になる” construction functions similarly to “Adjective + くなる” but is specifically tailored for な-adjectives.
Comparing くなる and になる
It’s important to understand the distinctions and similarities between “くなる” and “になる.” Both constructions are used to indicate a change in state or condition, but they apply to different types of adjectives. Here are some key points to remember:
– “くなる” is used exclusively with い-adjectives.
– “になる” is used exclusively with な-adjectives.
– Both constructions convey the idea of “becoming” or “changing into” the state described by the adjective.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning to use “くなる” and “になる,” language learners often make a few common mistakes. Here are some tips to help you avoid these pitfalls:
1. **Confusing い-adjectives and な-adjectives**: Make sure you correctly identify whether an adjective is an い-adjective or a な-adjective, as this will determine which construction to use.
2. **Incorrectly forming the adjective root**: For い-adjectives, ensure you remove the final “い” before adding “くなる.” For な-adjectives, use the dictionary form before adding “になる.”
3. **Forgetting the contextual meaning**: Remember that “くなる” and “になる” indicate a change in state or condition. Ensure that the context of your sentence aligns with this meaning.
Expanding Your Vocabulary
To become more proficient in using “Adjective + くなる” and “Adjective + になる,” it’s essential to expand your vocabulary. Here are some commonly used い-adjectives and な-adjectives that you can practice with:
Common い-Adjectives
– 新しい (atarashii, new)
– 面白い (omoshiroi, interesting)
– 暑い (atsui, hot)
– 美しい (utsukushii, beautiful)
– 難しい (muzukashii, difficult)
Common な-Adjectives
– 有名な (yuumeina, famous)
– 元気な (genkina, healthy/energetic)
– 簡単な (kantanna, easy/simple)
– 幸せな (shiawasena, happy)
– 静かな (shizukana, quiet)
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of “くなる” and “になる,” let’s go through a few practice exercises. Try forming sentences using the adjectives provided.
Exercise 1: い-Adjectives
1. 高い (takai, high/tall)
– Example: 山が高くなりました。 (Yama ga takaku narimashita.)
– The mountain has become higher.
2. 美しい (utsukushii, beautiful)
– Example: 花がもっと美しくなる。 (Hana ga motto utsukushiku naru.)
– The flower will become more beautiful.
Exercise 2: な-Adjectives
1. 有名な (yuumeina, famous)
– Example: 彼は有名になるでしょう。 (Kare wa yuumei ni naru deshou.)
– He will probably become famous.
2. 元気な (genkina, healthy/energetic)
– Example: 子供たちが元気になった。 (Kodomo-tachi ga genki ni natta.)
– The children have become energetic.
Advanced Applications
Once you’re comfortable with the basic constructions, you can start exploring more advanced applications of “くなる” and “になる.” Here are a few advanced tips:
Negative Forms
To express that something “does not become” a certain state, you can use the negative forms:
– For い-adjectives: Replace “くなる” with “くならない” (ku naranai).
– For な-adjectives: Replace “になる” with “にならない” (ni naranai).
Examples:
– 天気が寒くならない。 (Tenki ga samuku naranai.)
– The weather does not become cold.
– 部屋が静かにならない。 (Heya ga shizuka ni naranai.)
– The room does not become quiet.
Past Forms
To express that something “became” a certain state in the past, you can use the past forms:
– For い-adjectives: Replace “くなる” with “くなった” (ku natta).
– For な-adjectives: Replace “になる” with “になった” (ni natta).
Examples:
– 天気が寒くなった。 (Tenki ga samuku natta.)
– The weather became cold.
– 部屋が静かになった。 (Heya ga shizuka ni natta.)
– The room became quiet.
Potential Forms
To express the potential form, indicating that something “can become” a certain state, you can use:
– For い-adjectives: Replace “くなる” with “くなれる” (ku nareru).
– For な-adjectives: Replace “になる” with “になれる” (ni nareru).
Examples:
– 天気が寒くなれる。 (Tenki ga samuku nareru.)
– The weather can become cold.
– 部屋が静かになれる。 (Heya ga shizuka ni nareru.)
– The room can become quiet.
Expressing Wishes or Desires
To express that you want something to become a certain way, you can use the “たい” (tai) form:
– For い-adjectives: Replace “くなる” with “くなりたい” (ku naritai).
– For な-adjectives: Replace “になる” with “になりたい” (ni naritai).
Examples:
– 天気が寒くなりたい。 (Tenki ga samuku naritai.)
– I want the weather to become cold.
– 部屋が静かになりたい。 (Heya ga shizuka ni naritai.)
– I want the room to become quiet.
Conclusion
Mastering the “Adjective + くなる” and “Adjective + になる” constructions is essential for expressing changes in state or condition in Japanese. By understanding the rules and practicing with various adjectives, you’ll be able to convey more nuanced and dynamic descriptions in your conversations and writing.
Remember to pay attention to the type of adjective you’re using, and practice forming sentences to reinforce your understanding. With dedication and consistent practice, you’ll find that using “くなる” and “になる” becomes second nature, allowing you to express yourself more naturally and fluently in Japanese.
Happy learning, and がんばって (ganbatte, good luck)!
