Japanese Learning (A4 S19): Changes of a Condition/Nature that is described by Na-adjectives; [Na-adj]+ni Narimashita.

When describing a change of something, the following sentence construction is used.

1. [Subject] wa [Condition/Nature after the change] Narimashita.

And for the word to describe “condition/nature”, three groups of words are applicable; I-adjectives, Na-adjectives, and Nouns. The sentence construction 1 would be the following for each of three.

1-1. [Subject] wa [I-adj]+ku Narimashita.

1-2. [Subject] wa [Na-adj]+ni Narimashita.

1-3. [Subject] wa [Noun]+ni Narimashita.

We have already learned 1-1, which is the sentence of changes described with I-adjectives. Today, we are learning 1-2, which uses Na-adjectives.

The most confusing Na-adjective for beginners of Japanese is “Kireina”. Many learner erroneously believe “Kirei” is an I-adjective because it looks like ending with “i”. Let us look at conjugation of Na-adjectives, using “Kireina”.

<1> Concise ending; [Kirei]<da>

<2> Modifying a noun behind; [Kirei]<na> Youfuku (a beautiful cloths)

<3> Being connected to another conjugating word behind*; [Kirei]<ni> narimashita. (It’s become beautiful/clean.)

<4> To make the adjective hypothetical; [Kirei]<nara> (If it’s beautiful/clean)

(* “Kireide” is omitted in <3> for simplicity)

Now we are learning <3>. A little longer example is as below;

2. Mizu de Yoku Araimashita kara, Te ga Kirei-ni Narimashita.

(Washing well with water, (my) hands has got cleaned.)

– Misu: noun; water

– de: particle; to mark what to use for action

– Yoku: adverb; well

– Arau/Araimasu: transitive verb; wash

– kara: conjunctive particle; to make the former clause a reason/cause of the latter clause.

– Te: noun; hands

– Kireina: Na-adjective; beautiful/clean

– Naru/Narimasu: intransitive verb; become

It is so important for a Japanese learner to learn that “Kireina” is not I-adjective but Na-adjective. But those who erroneously believe “Kireina” is an I-adjective (WRONG!!) tend to overgeneralize the sentence like 2 to all the I-adjectives. Then the following errors happen quite often.

WRONG: Samui-ni Narimasu => RIGHT: Samu-ku Narimasu. (becomes cold)

WRONG: Sabishii-ni Narimasu => RIGHT: Sabishi-ku Narimasu. (becomes sad)

In order to prevent such errors, it is indispensable for learners to know there are two types of adjectives; I-adjectives and Na-adjectives, and they conjugate differently.

Again, “Kireina” is a Na-adjective. Actually, Na-adjective came from combination of a noun and the auxiliary verb “da”. “da” conjugates, so [Noun+Auxiliary verb] conjugates. Therefore, you can see many similarities between Na-adjectives and Nouns when it comes to sentence constructions.

1-2. [Subject] wa [Na-adj]+ni Narimashita. Example: Kirei-ni Narimashita.

1-3. [Subject] wa [Noun]+ni Narimashita. Example: Daigakusei ni Narimashita.

So, the similarity the above 1-2 and 1-3 is that “ni” is used in both. For today, think that “ni” for “Kirei-ni” is the changing part of conjugation of a Na-adjective. Tomorrow, “ni” for “Daigakusei ni” will be explained as a particle.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 19 of “Minna no Nihongo (2^nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”