JLPT N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜になる” and “〜となる”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜になる” and “〜となる”
2. 〜になる
3. 〜となる
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What’s the difference between “〜になる” and “〜となる”?

A: Both expressions indicate change or decision, but the appropriate choice depends on the context and tone. There are subtle differences in meaning—such as between spoken and written language, natural changes versus intentional decisions—so understanding how to use each correctly is important.

〜になる (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
This expression indicates that something changes naturally, or that a state changes as a result of a decision made by someone else.
It is used in both spoken and written language and appears frequently in everyday conversation.

[Rules]
[V] Verb dictionary form + こと + になる
[A] い adjective い + く + なる
[Na] な adjective な + に + なる
[N] Noun + に + なる

[Examples]
公園こうえんはそうじされてきれいになりました。
The park was cleaned and became beautiful.

さとうを入いれると甘あまくなります。
If you add sugar, it becomes sweet.

娘むすめは来週らいしゅう6歳さいになります。
My daughter will turn six next week.

雨あめが降ふったら、試合しあいは中止ちゅうしになるそうです。
If it rains, the game will be canceled.

“〜になる” is used to express that something has changed into a different state as a result of a natural progression.
It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese, and frequently appears in everyday conversation.

[Examples]
公園こうえんはそうじされてきれいになりました。
The park was cleaned and became beautiful.
⇒ This shows that the park changed into a clean state as a result of being cleaned.しています。

氷こおりは溶とけると水みずになります。
When ice melts, it becomes water.
⇒ This expresses a natural physical change where ice melts and turns into water.

“〜になる” is also used when something is decided by someone else, or due to an external factor.

[Examples]
雨あめが降ふったら、試合しあいは中止ちゅうしになるそうです。
If it rains, the game will be canceled.
⇒ This means that the cancellation of the game will be decided by someone (such as the event organizers).

来週らいしゅう、出張しゅっちょうすることになりました。
It has been decided that I will go on a business trip next week.
⇒ This indicates that the decision was made by the company or a supervisor.

〜となる (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
・Used to emphasize unexpected changes or results.
・Also used to formally convey intentional changes such as decisions or policies.
・Compared to “〜になる”, it is a more formal and official expression, often seen in written language, news, and announcements.

[Rules]
[V] Verb plain form + こと + となる
[N] Noun + となる

[Examples]
このままだと、危険きけんな方向ほうこうに向むかうこととなるでしょう。
If things stay like this, it will probably go in a dangerous direction.

雨あめのため、試合しあいは中止ちゅうしとなりました。
Because of the rain, the game got canceled.

来年らいねん4月がつより、新あたらしい制度せいどが始はじまることとなります。
A new system will start in April next year.

驚おどろいたことに、彼かれが次期じき社長しゃちょうとなることが決きまりました。
To my surprise, it was decided that he will be the next company president.

“〜となる” is often used not for natural changes or results, but to express unexpected developments or surprising changes.
Compared to “〜になる”, it is a more formal and official expression, and is commonly seen in written language, official documents, and news reports.

[Examples]
このままだと、危険きけんな方向ほうこうに向むかうこととなるでしょう。
If things stay like this, it will probably go in a dangerous direction.
⇒ “〜となる” is used here to emphasize an unexpected or undesirable outcome.

誰だれもがAチームの敗北はいぼくを予想よそうしていた中なか、まさかの優勝ゆうしょうとなりました。
Although everyone predicted Team A’s defeat, they unexpectedly became the champions.
⇒ “となった” highlights the surprising result of their victory.

“〜となる” is also used when formally announcing decisions or intentional changes, such as new rules or policies.
In such official contexts, it conveys a more formal tone than “〜になる”.

[Examples]
20XX年ねんより、ここでの携帯けいたい電話でんわの使用しようは禁止きんしとなりました。
Starting in 20XX, the use of mobile phones here has been prohibited.
⇒ This is a formal way of announcing a rule change.

医療いりょう制度せいどの見直みなおしが、国くにの政策せいさくとして実施じっしされることとなりました。
The revision of the medical system is set to be implemented as a national policy.
⇒ “となりました” is used here to present the result of an official decision in a formal manner.

Let’s Compare

“〜になる” and “〜となる” have similar meanings, but the appropriate choice depends on the context and formality of the situation. Let’s look at the following examples to see how they are used differently.

[Example ①]
A「子供こどもさん、おいくつですか？」
B「まだ5歳さいですけど、来月らいげつ（6歳さいになります・6歳さいとなります）。」
A: “How old is your child?”
B: “She’s still five, but next month she will turn six.”

Here, “6歳さいになります” sounds more natural.
This is a casual, everyday conversation (spoken language), so the softer and more natural-sounding “〜になります” is more appropriate.
Using “〜となります” would sound overly formal and somewhat unnatural in this context.

[Example ②] (Announcement at a sports event)
「本日ほんじつはお越こしいただきありがとうございます。雨あめが降ふった場合ばあい、試合しあいは（一時いちじ中止ちゅうしになります・一時いちじ中止ちゅうしとなります）。」
“Thank you for coming today. If it rains, the game will be temporarily suspended.”

In this case, both are grammatically correct, but “〜となります” is more suitable.
Since this is an official announcement, the more formal and refined tone of “〜となります” fits better.
While “〜になります” is still understandable, it may sound a bit too casual for such a setting.

Summary

	Usage	Meaning	Tone / Style
〜になる	Used in both spoken and written language	・Result of a natural change ・Something decided by others	Soft and natural impression
〜となる	Often used in written language, official documents, and news	・Unexpected change or result ・Intentionally made decisions or changes	Formal, serious tone with emphasis

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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