～にする・～くする (JLPT N4)

About ～にする・～くする

When combined with a な-Adjective, にする (or くする in the case of い-Adjectives) carries the meaning of 'to make more (A)'.

Just like the にする grammar point that is used for highlighting decisions, this にする construction implies that the speaker has a high level of control over the action.

Basically, this changes the adjective into an adverb, and then uses する to show that the adjective itself is the thing that is being done.

Fun Fact

にする is one of four regularly repeating grammar patterns in Japanese that highlight the level of control that the speaker has over the action/result of an action. From highest to lowest level of control, these are as follows:

にする - High level of control, the speaker/subject can perform this action themselves.

になる - High level of control, the speaker/subject can perform this action themselves, but there is no external target.

とする - Medium level of control, the speaker/subject can perform this action, but some outside factors may need to be considered (difficulty, other people, time, etc.).

となる - Low level of control, the speaker/subject has almost no control over these actions, and something that came about purely due to external factors is being discussed.

Examples

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頑張(がんば)って部品(ぶひん)を小(ちい)さくしてください。

Please try your best to make the parts smaller.

布団(ふとん)を新(あたら)しくしたから気持(きも)ちいい。

I got a new futon, so it is comfortable. (Literally - I did it new)

歯医者(はいしゃ)さんで歯(は)を白(しろ)くしてもらった。

I had the dentist make my teeth whiter. (Literally - Do white)

お花見(はなみ)には温(あたた)かくして行(い)った方(ほう)がいい。

You should make yourself warm when going to a flower-viewing party. (Literally - Do warm)

この部屋(へや)を大(おお)きくしたいです。

I want to make this room bigger. (Literally - Do big)

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- Adjectives + なる/する
  Maggie Sensei
- Expressing Change
  Wasabi

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- Genki II 2nd Edition
  Page 216
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～にする・～くする – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

Superpnut
Oh thank you very much!
I just couldn’t find a good explanation online, or an explanation at all and I just couldn’t figure out the pattern. Still wish they added an explanation to that on the grammar point though. Or make a different point for して if they aren’t going to explain that half of it.
Thanks!
SebastianLassen
IcyIceBear
Yeah you’re def right

Might have better luck in the feedback and bug report thread to be seen