JLPT N4 Grammar – The usage of “Noun+がする”
Table of Contents
1. The usage of “Noun+がする”
2. Noun+がする
3. The Difference Between “Noun + がする” and “Noun + を感じる”
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments
Q: Why do we say “いいにおいがする”?
What is the difference from “においを感じる”?
A: “Noun + がする” is used when something you sense with your five senses (sound, smell, taste, texture, a sense of presence, etc.) or a physical or emotional state occurs naturally.
Like “〜が聞こえる” (“can be heard”) or “〜が感じられる” (“can be felt”), it carries the nuance that the sensation reaches you softly and unintentionally, without the speaker consciously trying to perceive it.
On the other hand, “においを感じる” suggests that the speaker is consciously receiving or noticing the smell, giving it a more intentional, active, and explanatory tone.
For this reason, in everyday conversation, “いいにおいがする” is much more common, because it expresses a natural sensory reaction.
Noun+がする (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Used when a sensation (sound, smell, taste, pain, a sense of presence, etc.) is naturally perceived
[Rule]
[N] Noun + がする
[Common expressions]
音がする (a sound is heard), においがする (a smell is sensed), 味がする (a taste is perceived), 痛みがする (a pain is felt), 気配がする (a sense of presence is felt)
[Examples]
台所からいいにおいがします。
The kitchen smells good.
上の階で足音がしました。
I heard footsteps upstairs.
このジュースはりんごの味がします。
This juice has an apple flavor.
誰かがいる気配がします。
I sense that someone is there.
There are several characteristics of “noun + がする”. First, it can be used widely with sensory and physical perceptions such as sound, smell, taste, pain, and a sense of presence.
This expression describes a state in which the speaker did not intentionally try to perceive something; instead, the sensation is received naturally as a phenomenon that occurs on its own.
For this reason, compared to more active expressions like “〜を感じる”, it sounds more objective and is easier to use when explaining a situation.
[Let’s look at each of the five senses]
① Smell
〜においがする: Used when describing a smell that is naturally perceived through the sense of smell.
[Examples]
バジルのさわやかなにおいがします。
There is a refreshing smell of basil.
キッチンから焦げたにおいがします。
There is a burnt smell coming from the kitchen.
② Sound
〜音がする: Indicates a sound that reaches your ears even without trying to listen for it.
[Examples]
外で雷の音がしています。
There is the sound of thunder outside.
玄関で物音がしました。
I heard a noise at the entrance.
③ Taste
〜味がする: Used to describe a taste that is naturally perceived when eating or drinking something.
[Examples]
このお茶は少し苦い味がします。
This tea has a slightly bitter taste.
ミルクの味がするケーキです。
This is a cake with a milky flavor.
④ Pain / Sensation
〜痛みがする / 〜感じがする: Used to express a physical condition or sensation in the body.
[Examples]
さっきから頭痛がします。
I’ve had a headache for a while now.
頭が重い感じがします。
I feel a heaviness in my head.
⑤ Presence / Atmosphere
〜気配がする / 〜感じがする: Used when you sense something that cannot be seen but “feels” like it is there.
[Examples]
後ろに誰かいる気配がします。
I sense that someone is behind me.
何か良くないことが起こりそうな感じがします。
I feel like something bad might happen.
The Difference Between “Noun + がする” and “Noun + を感じる”
[Basic Difference]
The following two sentences have almost the same meaning, but the nuance is different.
[Examples]
花のいいにおいがします。
花のいいにおいを感じます。
They can often be used interchangeably, but in most situations, “〜がする” is more natural because it expresses a sensation that naturally comes to you.
| Expression | Nuance | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 〜がする | Naturally perceived (passive-like) | The phenomenon |
| 〜を感じる | Consciously perceived (active) | The person |
[Common Mistakes]
Mistake① : Using a human as the subject
× 私は大きい音がしました。
→ The sound is made by an object or a phenomenon, so a person cannot be the subject.
[Correct Example]
外で大きい音がしました。
It made a loud sound outside.
Mistake② : Using it for visual perception
× 赤い色がします。
→ “〜がする” cannot be used for visual information.
[Correct Example]
赤く見えます。
It looks red.
赤いです。
It is red.
Let’s Compare
The following two sentences are both grammatically correct, but the nuance is different.
[Examples]
台所からガーリックのにおいがします。
台所からガーリックのにおいを感じます。
① においがする：The smell comes naturally. This is the most common and natural expression in everyday conversation.
② においを感じる：The speaker consciously notices the smell. It sounds slightly more literary or explanatory.
Let’s look at one more example.
[Examples]
外で誰かの声がします。
外で誰かの声を感じます。
The correct choice is ①.
Because a voice is a sound that naturally enters your ears, using “〜がする” is the natural expression.
② is grammatically possible, but it sounds too abstract and unnatural.
When the five senses—other than sight—work naturally, it is best to remember that “noun + がする” is the standard expression.
Summary
- “Noun + がする” is an expression used when a sensation from the five senses or a physical state is naturally perceived.
- It is suitable for situations where non-visual senses—such as smell, sound, taste, pain, or a sense of presence—come to you naturally.
- It cannot be used for visual perception.
- It also cannot take a human as the grammatical subject.
Similar Articles
▼ Subscribe to Our Newsletter ▼
Receive free tips for learning Japanese!
