Expression – How is it different from “〜できない”? The correct usage of “〜にならない”
Table of Contents
1. The correct usage of “〜にならない”
2. Nounにならない
3. The Difference Between “〜にならない” and “〜できない”
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: What is the difference between the expression “仕事にならない” and “仕事ができない”?
A: “Noun + にならない” means that a certain state or situation cannot be established or does not come to fruition. Unlike simply saying “できない,” it conveys the nuance that the situation does not meet the usual conditions, and thus it does not function or progress properly.
Nounにならない
[Meaning]
When a situation or condition is not properly established, and the action or state represented by the noun cannot be realized or does not come to fruition.
[Rule]
[N] Noun + にならない
[Commonly Used Words]
仕事(work)・会議(meetings)・話(conversation)・会話(conversation)・討論(discussions)・授業(classes) etc.
[Examples]
今日は疲れすぎて、仕事になりませんでした。
I was too tired today, so I couldn’t even function at work.
外がうるさすぎて、授業にならないよ。
It’s way too noisy outside — we can’t even have a proper class.
彼は理解力がなくて、話にならないね。
He lacks understanding, so it’s impossible to have a real conversation with him.
“〜にならない” is an expression used when an action or state does not properly come to fruition, and it is commonly used in the following three scenarios:
① Regarding study or work
It is used when learning or work cannot be established due to inability to concentrate or conditions not being properly set up.
[Examples]
だれも自分の意見を言わないので、議論になりません。
No one is sharing their opinion, so it’s not even a discussion.
今日は眠すぎて、勉強にならないです。
I’m too sleepy today — I just can’t study properly.
② Regarding situations or conditions
It is used when an explanation or conversation cannot be established due to insufficient information or missing necessary conditions.
[Examples]
証拠がないと、説明にならないよ。
He’s a good person, but he’s so serious that sometimes it’s hard to have a real conversation with him.
アイデアがなければ、話にならないです。
He has such a reserved personality that he doesn’t express his opinions, so it’s impossible to have a proper discussion.
③ Regarding human relationships or conversation
It is used when communication cannot flow smoothly due to the other person’s personality or attitude.
[Examples]
彼はいい人だけどまじめすぎて、ときどき会話にならないんです。
He’s a good person, but he’s so serious that sometimes it doesn’t even become a real conversation.
彼は控えめな性格で意見を言わないので、討論になりません。
Because he’s so reserved and doesn’t express his opinions, it doesn’t turn into a proper discussion.
In this way, “〜にならない” is a perfect expression to convey the feeling of something not coming to fruition or not progressing properly. Depending on the context, it can reflect a calm observation or contain stronger feelings of frustration or resignation.
The Difference Between “〜にならない” and “〜できない”
“〜にならない” may seem similar to “〜できない,” but they are used in different contexts and have different meanings. Understanding the difference between the two will help you express yourself more naturally in Japanese.
“〜できない”: Impossible due to ability or conditions
“〜できない” expresses something being impossible due to lack of ability or external conditions, such as the environment or rules.
[Examples]
ピアノを弾くことができません。
I can’t play the piano.
わたしはイタリア語を話すことができません。
I can’t speak Italian.
⇒ Both of these express that the action is impossible due to lack of ability.
飛行機ではたばこを吸うことができません。
You can’t smoke on airplanes.
この店ではカードで払うことができないんです。
You can’t pay by card at this store.
⇒ These examples express external conditions or rules making the action impossible.
“〜にならない”: When a state or condition cannot be established or doesn’t come to fruition
On the other hand, “〜にならない” expresses when a state or condition that should normally be in place fails to be established. It is used when something doesn’t function or cannot be maintained due to situations, emotions, or relationships with others.
[Examples]
今日は疲れすぎて、仕事になりませんでした。
I was too tired today, so I couldn’t even function at work.
⇒ This means that the level of fatigue is too high, and it was impossible to work properly.
夫とは価値観が違いすぎて、話にならないです。
My husband and I are too different in values, so it’s impossible to have a proper discussion.
⇒ This expresses that the difference in values is so large that a proper conversation cannot be had.
In this way, “〜にならない” carries the nuance that something cannot function, is not meaningful, or does not meet the usual conditions. It often conveys the speaker’s feelings of dissatisfaction, frustration, or disbelief.
Let’s Compare
In the following cases, both “〜できない” and “〜にならない” can be used, but there are subtle differences in meaning.
[Examples]
① 疲れすぎて、仕事ができません。
I’m too tired to do my work.
② 疲れすぎて、仕事になりません。
I’m too tired to do my work.
①「仕事ができない」
This expression indicates that it is physically or ability-wise impossible to do the work, representing a fact-based impossibility. It simply means that the action of doing work cannot be executed.
②「仕事にならない」
Here, the level of fatigue is too high, and the work cannot function properly or cannot be carried out effectively. The expression implies that work cannot proceed in the usual way, with no concentration or results being achieved.
Additionally, there is a difference in the strength of emotions and nuance between the two expressions. “〜にならない” often conveys negative emotions like frustration, disbelief, or resignation.
[Examples with emotional nuance]
(A boss scolding an employee)
上司：「君は理解が遅すぎて、話にならないよ！」
Boss: “You’re way too slow to understand — This is out of question!”
(A wife speaking in frustration to her husband)
妻：「ずっと黙ってるけど…何も言わないつもり？あなたとは話し合いにならないわ。」
Wife: “You’ve been silent this whole time… Are you not going to say nothing? I can’t have a real conversation with you.”
In this way, “〜できない” expresses neutral, fact-based impossibility, while “〜にならない” strongly conveys the breakdown of a situation or non-fulfillment of a state, often reflecting emotions like frustration or dissatisfaction.
Summary
- “〜にならない” is an expression that indicates when an action or state cannot be established or does not come to fruition.
- In the first part, it describes a situation or condition that greatly exceeds a certain standard. In the second part, it shows that as a result, the action or situation that should normally be in place fails to materialize.
- It is primarily used in situations involving: ① study or work ② situations or conditions ③ human relationships
- Additionally, in many cases, the speaker’s emotions, such as anger, resignation, or disbelief, are included, making it a more emotionally charged expression rather than just a neutral description of facts.
