Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 4: 3/13

な-Adjective + (Noun)Describing a noun

Structure

［な］Adjective + な + Noun

Examples:
静(しず)か + な + 夜(よる)
元気(げんき) + な + 子供(こども)

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Word Type

    Noun

  • Register

    Standard

About な-Adjective + Noun

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 な, when used before a noun. This means that adjective (A) is describing qualities/features of noun (B).

Caution

Many words can take either な or の when describing a noun. The difference in meaning is usually clear. Let's take a look at both nuances.

(A) な (B) means that - (A) is a quality/feature of (B)

(A) の (B) means that - (A) is the type/purpose of (B)

  • 幸(しあわ)せな日(ひ)。
    A happy day. (A 'quality' of this day is that it is 'happy')
  • 幸(しあわ)せの匂(にお)い。
    The smell of happiness. (The 'type' of smell is that of 'happiness')

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.

Examples

--:--

    暇(ひま)な一日(いちにち)。

    A free day

    旭(あさひ)が丘(おか)は静(しず)かな街(まち)です。

    Asahigaoka is a quiet town.

    たなかさんは親切(しんせつ)な人(ひと)だ。

    Tanaka-san is a kind person.

    これは便利(べんり)なツールです。

    This is a convenient tool.

    綺麗(きれい)なタオルはトイレにある。

    There are clean towels in the bathroom.

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