Transformation
こと: verb as noun
This allows to transform a verb into a noun (verb nominalizer). V+こと ⇒ 食べること. The verbs are never conjugated.
Example
音楽を聞くことが好きです。 I like to listen to music (listening to music is something I like).
~さ: adjective as noun
い-Adj い
な-Adj
+ さ
This allows to transform an adjective into a noun (adjective nominalizer). Used to talk about the degree of the adjective. Generally objective.
Example
やさしい。 Kind.
やさしさ。 Kindness.
~み: adjective as noun
い-Adj い
な-Adj
+ み
This allows to transform an adjective into a noun (adjective nominalizer). Similar to さ, but it is used in specific contexts. Rather than a degree, it talks about a quality. Generally subjective. Can be used with less adjectives than さ.
Example
甘い。 Sweet.
甘さ。 Amount of sweetness.
甘味。 Quality of sweetness.
ということ: phrase as noun
This allows to transform a phrase into a noun.
V (casual)
い-Adj
な-Adj + だ
N + だ
+ ということ
Example
毎日サッカーをするということは大変です。 It is hard to play soccer every day.
のは・のが: sentence as noun
V
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N + だ
+ のは・のが
Transforms a sentence into a noun. Also means “the reason for A is B”, “doing A is B”.
Example
勉強するのはつまらないです。 Studying is boring.
このレストランで一番人気があるのは寿司です。 The most popular dish in the restaurant is sushi.
くする: い-adjective as adverb
Replacing the い in a い-Adj by くする transforms it into an adverb. 大きい (big) ⇒ 大きくする (make big).
Example
エアコンを点けると空気が寒くなる。 When turning on the AC, the air becomes cold.
にする: な-adjective as adverb
Appending にする to a な-Adj transforms it into an adverb. 静かな (quiet) ⇒ 静かにする (make quiet).
Example
部屋をきれいにしてください。 Please clean the room (make the room cleaner).
がる・がっている: adjective as verb
See がる・がっている.
的: noun as な-Adj / Adverb
This allows to change a noun into:
- ~的 な for a な-Adj
- ~的 に for an Adverb
Example
感情。 Emotion.
感情的。 Emotional.
彼女のスピーチはとても感情的だった。 Her speech was very emotional.