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

At the exercise A4 on Section 19, the following three constructions are introduced;

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

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

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

All three use the intransitive verb “Naru/Narimasu” in perfect tense. Note that I-adjective and Na-adjective are words that conjugate, but Noun never conjugates. Despite of the difference about conjugation, the major difference exists between I-adjective and other two. I-adjective uses “ku”, but Na-adjective and Noun use “ni”.

Are the “ni” for Na-adjective and the “ni” for Noun the same? Of course, the character is the same “に”. But what about grammatically? Some teachers may say they are the same, but I think it’s better to think as below;

– [Stem of Na-adj]+ni Narimashita. => “ni” is changing part of Na-adjective that is conjugating words

– [Noun]+ni Narimashita. => “ni” is a particle.

The particle “ni” has many functions. 1 through 4 have already been listed at A4 S11. This time, I add the number 5.

1. Time of Action

example; Watashi wa Maiasa Roku-ji ni Okimasu. (I get up at six every morning.)

2. Place of Existence

example; Panda wa Ueno Doubutsuen ni Imasu. (A Panda is in Ueno Zoo.)

3. Place where an action is going(getting) to

example; Watashi wa Mainichi Gakkou ni Ikimasu. (I go to school every day.)

4. Object to allocate number

example; Ichinen ni San kai Kuni ni Kaerimasu. (I go to my hometown three times a year.)

5. Condition/Status after the change

example; Satou-san wa Daigakusei ni Narimashita. (Sato-san has become a university student.)

Here are some examples for the function 5 of the particle “ni”.

– Suzuki-san wa Nijuu-Ni sai ni Narimashita. (Suzuki-san has becom twenty-two years old.)

– Shingou wa Ao ni Narimasita. (Traffic light turned to be Blue) — blue means you can go

– Ashita wa Yasumi ni Narimashita. (I’ve got a day-off tomorrow.)

– Haru ni Narimashita. (Spring has come.)

Note that words with “ni” behind describe Condition/Status after the changes.

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