Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 4: 6/18

にする・くする

Adjective + する, To make something/someone (more)

Structure

[な]Adjective + + する
[い]Adjective[く]+ する

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

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.
  • この建物(たてもの)もっと丈夫(じょうぶ)にする方法(ほうほう)があります
    Is there any way to make this building more durable?
  • (きたな)部屋(へや)綺麗(きれい)にする大変(たいへん)
    It is difficult to make a dirty room clean.
  • 風呂(ふろ)(あつ)くするいい
    I'm going to make the bath hot. Is that okay?
  • このコーヒー(あま)くするために砂糖(さとう)ください。
    Please give me sugar to make this coffee more sweet.
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

  • 頑張(がんば)って部品(ぶひん)(ちい)くしてください

    Please try your best to make the parts smaller.

  • 布団(ふとん)(あたら)くしたから気持(きも)

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

  • 歯医者(はいしゃ)さん()(しろ)くしてもらった

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

  • 花見(はなみ)(あたた)くして()った(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)(おお)くしたいです

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

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~にする・~くする – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

  • Superpnut

    Superpnut

    About 1 year ago

    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

    SebastianLassen

    About 6 months ago

  • IcyIceBear

    IcyIceBear

    About 6 months ago

    Yeah you’re def right

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

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