Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 4: 3/13

な-Adjective + (Noun)
Describing a noun

Structure
[な]Adjective + + Noun

Examples:
静か + + 夜
元気 + + 子供
Details
Part of Speech Expression
Word Type Noun
Register Standard
品詞 表現
単語の種類 名詞
使用域 一般
Information
In Japanese, almost any type of word can be attached to the beginning of a noun to modify the meaning, or describe the qualities of that noun. However, depending on the type of word used, conjugation rules will differ slightly.
For な-Adjectives, they will always need to be followed by , when used before a noun. This means that adjective (A) is describing qualities/features of noun (B).
  • カーテンオタク:これ綺麗(きれい)カーテンです
    A curtain enthusiast : This is a pretty curtain.
  • 元気(げんき)赤(あか)ちゃん。
    A healthy baby. (‘Energetic’ or ‘spirited’ would also be accurate translations)
Caution
Many words can take either or when describing a noun. The difference in meaning is usually clear. Let’s take a look at both nuances.
(A) (B) means that - (A) is a quality/feature of (B)
(A) (B) means that - (A) is the type/purpose of (B)
  • 有名(ゆうめい)人(ひと)。
    A famous person. (A ‘quality’ of this person is that they have ‘fame’)
  • 有名(ゆうめい)力(ちから)。
    The power of fame. (The ‘type’ of power is that of ‘fame’)
To avoid making this mistake when using な-Adjectives to describe a noun, it can be helpful to think about whether you are describing a ‘quality’, or the ‘purpose’ of something.
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ひま一日(いちにち)。
A free day
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あさひがおか静(しず)か街(まち)です
Asahigaoka is a quiet town.
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たなかさん親切(しんせつ)人(ひと)
Tanaka-san is a kind person.
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