Structure Legend
Structure
Noun + に + する
Details
Part of Speech
Expression
Word Type
Verb
Register
Standard
品詞
表現
単語の種類
動詞
使用域
一般
About にする
にする is a structure that combines the に particle (a location/target), with the verb する. It means to 'make/decide' something in a certain way. The nuance with にする is that the speaker has direct control over the outcome. This is where the strong feeling of 'choice' comes from. The noun that comes before にする is the thing that is being decided.
Sometimes the particle と is used instead of に. Although this has the same meaning, it changes the nuance slightly. When と is used, it takes away the feeling of being a direct decision. とする tends to be used in more formal situations, but this is only because と is less 'definite', so results in the phrase sounding less pushy.
に - I'll buy a burger. (A burger is the direct target of 'buy')
と - I'll go with a burger. (You aren't 'going' anywhere, it just sounds softer)
This grammar point may be used for more abstract nouns, and does not specifically need to be 'items'.
- 俺はビールにする。I'm going to decide on this beer.
Sometimes the particle と is used instead of に. Although this has the same meaning, it changes the nuance slightly. When と is used, it takes away the feeling of being a direct decision. とする tends to be used in more formal situations, but this is only because と is less 'definite', so results in the phrase sounding less pushy.
- 今日はここまでとする。Today, I will decide to make this the end. (Why don't we call it a day, if that's ok)
- 今日はここまでにする。Today, I will decide to end it here. (I'm going to call it a day)
に - I'll buy a burger. (A burger is the direct target of 'buy')
と - I'll go with a burger. (You aren't 'going' anywhere, it just sounds softer)
This grammar point may be used for more abstract nouns, and does not specifically need to be 'items'.
- ハイキングへ行くの日曜日にする?Is Sunday ok for hiking? (Literally, 'as for heading hiking, will you make it Sunday?')
Synonyms
Examples
何にする?
What will you decide on?
今日の晩ごはんは何にする?
What have you decided on for today's dinner?
このかばんにします。
To decide on this bag.
明日の朝ごはんは魚にします。
To decide on fish for breakfast tomorrow.
このレストランにします。
To decide on this restaurant.
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みんなの日本語 II
Page 120 [CH 44]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 310
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 129
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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にする – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (12 in total)
Ambo100
About 2 years ago
DBJG has a useful distinction on the difference between にする and に決める which might be worth mentioning.
image706×153 16.5 KBmielke
About 1 year ago
hello @Jake!
I got a review on this together with “shall” (ましょうか), but this item comes after にする, so I was a bit lost on that.
is this an error? shouldn’t this only show up after I review ましょうか?thanks!
mrnoone
About 1 year ago
Hey @mielke
We will likely replace the sentence, by the way, if you tap on the ましょうか it will show the definitionCheers!
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