Structure
Verb［る］ + こと + だ
Verb［ない］ + こと + だ
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Standard
使用域
一般
About ことだ
As a sentence ending particle, こと has two primary functions. These are as follows:
願望や軽い命令を表す - Highlighting a desire or weak command.
感嘆や疑問を表す - Highlighting astonishment or doubt.
We will focus on the first meaning in this grammar point, as the 'astonishment' nuance is not as commonly used in modern Japanese, and is primarily used only by women.
At the end of a sentence, こと will be paired with the dictionary (or ない) form of a verb, to highlight a particular action that either should, or should not occur. It is usually grouped with the auxiliary verb だ, although this is not always the case. This construction is most often translated as 'should/should not (A)', or 'ought to/not (A)'.
願望や軽い命令を表す - Highlighting a desire or weak command.
感嘆や疑問を表す - Highlighting astonishment or doubt.
We will focus on the first meaning in this grammar point, as the 'astonishment' nuance is not as commonly used in modern Japanese, and is primarily used only by women.
At the end of a sentence, こと will be paired with the dictionary (or ない) form of a verb, to highlight a particular action that either should, or should not occur. It is usually grouped with the auxiliary verb だ, although this is not always the case. This construction is most often translated as 'should/should not (A)', or 'ought to/not (A)'.
- 面倒くさくても朝ご飯を食べることだ。Even though it might be a pain, you should eat breakfast.
- 明日の朝8時から試験が始まる。何があっても、時間通りに来ることだ。みんな、分かったか。The exams will begin tomorrow at 8 am. No matter what happens, you should come on time. Understood?
- どんなに疲れていても諦めないことだ。You should not give up, no matter how tired you are.
- 怪我をしたら、我慢をしないことだ。すぐ責任者に報告するように。If you get hurt, you shouldn't just suffer in silence. Immediately call your supervisor.
Caution
This use of こと implies a certain level of 'authority', and is therefore regularly used in relation to set rules and expectations (can very frequently be seen on signs in shops/parks, etc). Due to this, it should not be used when giving 'general' advice, especially to people of higher status.- 先輩、後輩はもっと大切にすることだ。Senpai you should treat your kouhai with great care.
Synonyms
たほうがいい
It'd be better to, Should do
Not studied yet
なければならない
Must do, Have to do
Not studied yet
べき
Must, Should , Ought to
Not studied yet
ものだ
Supposed to, Should, That's the way it is
Not studied yet
ばいい
Can, Should, It'd be good if
Not studied yet
わけだ
For that reason, No wonder, As you'd expect, Naturally, Thus, This is why
Not studied yet
Antonyms
Examples
明日は大切な試合があるから、練習をすることだ。
Because there is an important game tomorrow, you should practice.
生徒は、先生に従うことだ。
Students should obey their teachers.
大事なのは医者からもらった薬を飲むことだ。
What is important, is that you should take the medicine the doctor gave you.
まずはやってみることだ。改善点が見えてくるから。
You ought to try it first because you'll find out what needs to be improved.
覚えたらすぐにしゃべってみることだ。上達するから。
As soon as you memorize something, you ought to say it out loud. If you do that, you will get better.
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「こと」
Nihongoの森
Should: ほうがいい、べき、ことだ
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Study Notes and Breakdown
JLPT 先生
ことだ vs. ものだ
毎日のんびり日本語教師
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ことだ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
CursedKitsune
Why is the copula required in this lesson? Why isn’t just すること taught/accepted as an answer/bounced back?
domi650
Hey, I just had this grammar point and when reviewing it “ことです” has been marked as wrong. This is weird because it is displayed as the polite equivalent to ことだ, there should at least be a warning that the casual version is wanted in that specific sentence.
mekomori
no i like agree with this so much because the amount of times i am ONE hiragana character off and it marks me wrong, like damn, im so sorry i missed the な or よ particle
like damn, i understand particles are important but god, at least I remembered the kanji
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