Verb ようになる (〜you ni naru)
Express a change in ability, situation or state; 'become able to', 'come to', 'begin to'.
Formation
Verb-dictionary/potential form + ようになる
Examples
日本語 が話せるようになりました。 最近、早 く寝るようになった。
Nihongo ga hanaseru you ni narimashita. Saikin, hayaku neru you ni natta.
I have become able to speak Japanese. Recently, I have come to go to bed early.
彼はピアノを弾けるようになりまし この仕事を始めてから、毎日忙しいと感
た。 じるようになりました。
Kare wa piano wo hikeru you ni narimashita. Kono shigoto o hajimete kara, mainichi isogashii to kanjiru
He has become able to play the piano. you ni narimashita.
Since I started this job, I've begun to feel busy
every day.
Long Explanation
The ようになる grammar implies a change or development involving new abilities, situations or states. It can
be translated into English as 'become able to', 'come to' or 'begin to'. This grammar is often used when talking
about a skill that has been acquired or a change in habit or situation over time.
Detailed Grammar Notes
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
Verb Form Usage
ようになる
Verb Dictionary Form + Indicates starting a new action or ability
Verb ない-form + ようになる Indicates stopping an action or habit
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."
