Japanese learning (A1 S22): Verb Clause Modifying a Noun by a Verb Clause: [Concise Ending of Verb Clause] + [Noun]

At first, let us review ways to modify a noun. Putting aside adverbs and adverbials to modify a verb, we are just focusing on modification for a noun. The basic thing is that a modifying word is placed in front of a modified word as below;

[Modifying Word] + [Modified Word]

1. I-adjective modifies a noun

– [ Stem of I-adj ] + I + [ Noun ]

example: Aoi Sora (bule sky), Sabishii Kimochi (sad feeling)

2. Na-adjective modifies a noun

– [ Stem of Na-adj ] + na + [ Noun ]

example: Kireina Hana (beautiful flower), Shizukana Toshokan (quiet library)

3. Noun modifies another Noun

– [ Noun1 ] + no + [Noun2]

example: Nihon no Kuruma (Japanese cars), Watashi no Neko (my cat)

Then, is there a way to modify a noun with a verb? It is what we are learning today.

Recently we have learned “concise endings” in the section 20. They are a kind of writing style*, because they are used for sentence endings in a writing such as newspaper, technical report, and contract document.  But the same patterns of verb predicates can also be used for a middle of a sentence, that is to be placed in front of a noun, in order to modify the noun.

The followings are examples of noun-modification with verb clause;

<1> Modified Noun is the object (-o) of a verb

– Present/future-positive:

Example: Kodomo ga Taberu Okashi (snack that kids eat)

The verb “Taberu” is in dictionary form, modifying the noun “Okashi”. “Okashi” is a noun usually being an object of the transitive verb “Taberu/Tabemasu” as “Okashi o Tabemasu”

– Present/future-negative:

Example: Kodomo ga Tabenai Okashi (snack that kids don’t eat)

– Past-positive:

Example: Kinou Tabeta Okashi (snack that I ate yesterday)

– Past-negative:

Example: Kinou Tabenakatta Okashi (snack that I didn’t eat yesterday)

<2> Modified Noun is the subject (-ga) of a verb

– Present/future-positive:

Example: Shukudai o Suru Gakusei (a student who does homework)

The verb “Suru” is in dictionary form, modifying the noun “Gakusei”. “Gakusei” is a noun usually being a subject of the verb “Suru/Shimasu” as “Gakusei ga Shukudai o Shimasu.”

– Present/future-negative:

Example: Shukudai o Shinai Gakusei (a student who doesn’t do homework)

– Past-positive:

Example: Shukudai o Shita Gakusei (a student who did homework)

– Past-negative:

Example: Shukudai o Shinakatta Gakusei (a student who didn’t do homework)

<3> Application of “V-te Iru” to Modification of a Noun

– Present-positive:

Example: Ima Aruite iru Michi (a path that I am walking on now)

“Atuite” is the Te-form of “Aruku/Arukimasu”.

– Present-negative:

Example: Dare mo Aruite inai Michi (a path that no one is walking on.)

– Past-positive:

Example: Tomodachi ga Aruite ita Michi (a path that my friend was walking on.)

– Past-negative:

Example: Dare mo Aruite inakatta Michi (a path that no one was walking on.)

*: Concise ending can also be speech style by putting ending particle like “-yo.”, “-ne”, and “-yone.” I omit mentioning this just for sake of simplicity.

This post was written with reference to the exercise A1 on Section22 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”