ことConverting a verb into a noun

In a very similar way to のは, こと is used in Japanese for nominalization (creating a noun-like phrase). However, unlike のは, which is a combination of two particles, こと is a noun. To use こと, just add it to the end of a verb in its dictionary form.

こと (or 事(こと) in its kanji form) is a noun that is often translated as 'thing', and in this way, literally means 'the thing that is (A)' when used for nominalization.

As we can see from these examples, ない can also be used between the verb and こと, to form a 'not' statement. There are other auxiliary verbs that may be used with こと in this way, but ない is the most common.

Although this lesson discusses こと pairing with the dictionary form of verbs, it can actually pair with any standard verb form. Standard form just means anything that does not finish with the polite ます.

Fun Fact

Unlike もの (another noun used to describe 'things'), こと is a noun that is frequently used to describe things that are 'intrinsic'. This basically means things that are describable, but not necessarily always observable (feelings, conditions, events, etc.).

Caution

When a sentence (usually short) finishes with こと, it quite often has the nuance of being a rule, or command. This こと is not actually a noun, but a sentence ending particle.

こと as a particle will almost never be written in the kanji form. However, it does originate from the same word.