N5#adjectives#grammar#change#n5

〜くなる / 〜になる (Becoming)

Learn how to describe changes in state, such as something getting warmer or becoming a doctor.

Context

Describing Change

Have you ever wanted to say that the weather is getting warmer, or that you are becoming better at Japanese? In Japanese, we use specific patterns to describe how a person, object, or situation changes over time.

When we want to express that something has reached a new state, we don't just use adjectives or nouns by themselves. We need a way to show the process of 'becoming.' This lesson introduces the grammar patterns that allow you to describe these transitions naturally.

Explanation

The Grammar of Becoming

The way you express 'becoming' depends on whether you are using an adjective or a noun.

い-adjectiveくなるな-adjective/Nounになる

For い-adjectives, remove the final 'い' and add 'くなる'. For example, 'warm' (あたたかい) becomes 'to become warm' (あたたかくなる). This pattern is used for natural changes, like the weather or your physical condition.

For な-adjectives and nouns, simply add 'になる' after the word. If it is a な-adjective, you must include 'に' before 'なる'. For example, 'quiet' (しずか) becomes 'to become quiet' (しずかになる).

Tip

Remember that 'になる' is used for nouns as well. If you want to say 'I will become a teacher,' you say '先生になります' (Sensei ni narimasu).

Examples

Examples in Action

See how these patterns work in everyday sentences.

寒く(さむく)なりました。

It has become cold.

寒くさむくcold (stem)なりましたなりましたbecame

日本語(にほんご)が上手(じょうず)になりました。

My Japanese has become good (I have improved).

日本語にほんごJapanese language上手じょうずskillfulににparticleなりましたなりましたbecame

医者(いしゃ)になります。

I will become a doctor.

医者いしゃdoctorににparticleなりますなりますwill become

夏は日が長く【なります】。

Hint: The verb for 'to become' (polite form).

In summer, the days become long.

Usage

Nuance and Usage

Understanding when to use these patterns is key to sounding natural.

くなる vs になる

〜くなる

Used for い-adjectives to show a change in quality.

忙しくなる (to become busy)

〜になる

Used for nouns and な-adjectives to show a change in state or identity.

元気になる (to become healthy)

Which sentence correctly uses the 'becoming' pattern for a な-adjective?

しずかくなる
✓ しずかになる
しずかいになる

な-adjectives require 'に' before 'なる', not 'く'.

Deep dive

Advanced Notes

A few extra details for the curious learner.

You might hear '〜くなる' used with verbs in more advanced grammar (like '〜てくる'), but for N5, stick to the adjective and noun rules. Also, note that when you change a state, the particle 'が' is often used before the adjective/noun to mark the subject that is undergoing the change.

Summary

Lesson Summary

You have learned how to express change using くなる and になる. Use くなる for い-adjectives (after dropping the い) and になる for nouns and な-adjectives. These patterns are essential for describing how the world around you shifts.

なる

なるverb

to become

寒くなる

さむくなるverb phrase

to become cold

上手になる

じょうずになるverb phrase

to become skillful

医者

いしゃnoun

doctor