N3#grammar#relative-clauses#n3#syntax

Relative Clauses Lesson 5

Mastering the use of relative clauses to describe nouns using complex verb phrases and particles in N3 Japanese.

Context

Setting the Scene

In Japanese, we often need to describe a noun by adding a whole sentence before it. You have already learned simple modifications, but in N3, we often use these clauses to explain the purpose, location, or specific circumstances of an object.

Imagine you are at a lost-and-found office. You need to describe a specific item you lost. Instead of just saying 'the umbrella,' you need to say 'the umbrella that I left on the train yesterday.' This is where relative clauses become essential for clear communication.

Explanation

The Structure of Relative Clauses

To modify a noun with a verb, simply place the verb in its plain form (dictionary or past) directly before the noun.

Clause+Noun

The entire clause acts like an adjective. If the verb is in the present tense, it describes a habitual action or future state. If it is in the past tense, it describes a completed action.

Tip

Remember: Never use the polite form (masu-form) inside a relative clause. Always use the dictionary form or the ta-form.

Examples

Examples in Context

Here are examples of how to build these phrases.

昨日(きのう)買った(かった)本(ほん)を読みました。

I read the book that I bought yesterday.

昨日きのうyesterday買ったかったbought (plain past)本ほんbook

ここで働く(はたらく)人(ひと)は親切です。

The people who work here are kind.

ここでここでhere働くはたらくwork (dictionary form)人ひとperson

あれは私が【住む】（住む）家です。

Hint: Use the dictionary form of the verb 'to live'.

That is the house I live in.

Usage

Usage and Nuance

Relative clauses are used in both formal and informal speech. They are the standard way to provide descriptive detail in Japanese.

Relative Clause vs. Simple Sentence

本を買いました。面白いです。

Two separate sentences.

買った本は面白いです。

One relative clause (The book I bought is interesting).

Which form is correct for a relative clause?

読みます本
✓ 読んだ本
読みました本

Relative clauses must use the plain form (dictionary or past) before the noun.

Deep dive

Advanced Nuances

Sometimes the subject of the relative clause is marked with 'ga' instead of 'wa'.

Why use 'ga' inside a clause?

When the subject of the relative clause is different from the subject of the main sentence, we use 'ga' to mark the subject within the clause. For example: 'This is the book [that I bought].' The 'I' is the subject of the action 'bought', so we use 'ga'.

Summary

Lesson Summary

Relative clauses allow you to condense information by turning sentences into modifiers for nouns. By using plain-form verbs before a noun, you can create complex descriptions efficiently.

昨日

きのうnoun

yesterday

働く

はたらくverb

to work

親切

しんせつna-adjective

kind

住む

すむverb

to live