Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 17/18

がするTo give off, Smell, Sound, Taste, Sensation

Structure

Noun + が + する

Details

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About がする

In Japanese, describing things that can be experienced with the senses (excluding visual), is a little bit different to the way that we would convey it in English. Traditionally, we would use unique verbs for each of these situations, such as 'smells like (A)', 'tastes like (A)', 'feels like (A)', etc. While this is still possible in Japanese, it is not the most common way.

がする is a grammar construction that focuses on the source of the smell, sound, taste, or feeling, and makes the sensory experience itself the subject of the sentence. To use がする, simply attach it to the end of any phrase that expresses which type of 'sense' is being created/given off by the subject.

Fun Fact

Japanese often uses 気(き) 'energy', 'spirit', as something that can be perceived with the senses. Due to this, there are many phrases which use ～気(き)がする in the same way as this grammar point.

Antonyms

Examples

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    車(くるま)の音(おと)がする。

    A car is making a sound.

    この部屋(へや)はコーヒーの匂(にお)いがします。

    This room is giving off a coffee smell.

    この料理(りょうり)は塩(しお)の味(あじ)がします。

    This food gives off a salty taste.

    変(へん)な味(あじ)がするのでこれを捨(す)てます。

    This gives off an odd flavor, so I will throw it away.

    お砂糖(さとう)を入(い)れ過(す)ぎたから、甘(あま)い味(あじ)がする。

    I put too much sugar in, so it gives off a sweet taste.

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