JLPT N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜にする” and “〜になる”
Table of Contents
1. The difference between “〜にする” and “〜になる”
2. 〜にする
3. 〜になる
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments
Q: Is there a difference between “〜にする” and “〜になる”?
A: Yes, there is a clear difference.
“〜にする” is used when the speaker (the subject) chooses, decides, or changes something.
“〜になる” is used when something changes or is decided naturally as a result, without intentional action.
〜にする (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
Indicates an action in which a person (or a group / organization) chooses, decides, or intentionally changes something
[Rule]
[Na] な adjective stem + にする
[N] Noun + にする
[Examples]
わたしはコーヒーにします。
I will have coffee.
会議は午後からにしましょう。
Let’s have the meeting in the afternoon.
今日のお弁当はこれにしました。
I chose this for today’s lunch.
“〜にする” is used when the speaker chooses or decides something based on their own intention.
It has the nuance of changing or setting something by oneself.
This form can be used both when making an immediate decision in front of you and when making a long-term decision.
In any case, it always includes the subject’s own judgment or intention, which is a key feature of this expression.
[Examples]
部屋をきれいにしました。
I made the room clean.
静かにしてください。
Please be quiet.
誰でもわかるよう、簡単な説明にします。
I will make the explanation simple so anyone can understand it.
〜になる (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
Expresses a natural change, a result, or a change in situation
It shows that something becomes that state regardless of anyone’s intention
[Rule]
[Na] な adjective stem + になる
[N] Noun + になる
[Examples]
もうすぐ冬になりますね。
It will be winter soon.
会議は中止になりました。
The meeting was canceled.
彼は先生になったんですよ。
He became a teacher.
薬を飲んだら元気になりました。
I felt better after taking the medicine.
“〜になる” is an expression that shows a change of state that happens as a result, regardless of choice or intention.
It is used not only when the change occurs naturally, but also when something is decided by someone else’s judgment or by external circumstances.
For this reason, whether the subject has intention or choice is basically not important.
[Examples]
息子は今年18歳になります。
My son will be 18 this year.
日本語が上手になりましたね。
Your Japanese has become good.
このボタンを押すとONになります。
If you press this button, it will turn on.
Let’s Compare
“〜にする” and “〜になる” can both be used grammatically, but the correct choice depends on who the subject is and whether the change is the result of an intentional decision or a natural outcome.
Here, we compare example sentences to look in detail at how to choose the form that fits the context.
[Examples]
会議は午後3時からにしました。
会議は午後3時からになりました。
① means that the speaker (or the people involved) decided to have the meeting from 3 p.m.
It shows that they chose the time themselves and made an active decision such as changing or setting the meeting schedule.
② means that, due to outside circumstances or someone else’s decision, the meeting ended up being from 3 p.m.
The speaker did not choose the time; instead, a boss, organizer, or company made the decision.
It is used to describe a natural flow or a result decided by external factors.
Let’s look at another example.
[Examples]
① 部屋をきれいにしました。
② 部屋がきれいになりました。
① means that the speaker intentionally made the room clean.
The person took action—such as cleaning, tidying up, or organizing—and changed the room into a clean state based on their own intention.
② means that the room ended up becoming clean as a result.
Someone else may have cleaned it, a cleaning service might have been requested, or the room may simply have become brighter after letting fresh air in.
The change does not necessarily come from the speaker’s intention; instead, the state changed naturally or due to external factors.
The focus is not on “the room cleaning itself,” but rather on the resulting clean state.
By thinking about whose intention caused the change, you can judge which expression sounds more natural.
You may also want to read the related articles.
Summary
| Expression | Subject | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 〜にする | Human intention | To choose / to decide / to change |
| 〜になる | Situation / result | Natural change / to be decided |
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