come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Intermediate

15-20 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses gradual change or development of a new ability/situation.

[Verb dictionary form] + ようになる / [Verb ない form] + ようになる

日本語が話せるようになりました。

Nihongo ga hanaseru you ni narimashita.

I became able to speak Japanese.

タバコを吸わないようになりました。

Tabako wo suwanai you ni narimashita.

I came to not smoke anymore.

Shows gradual change, not sudden change.

～ようにする

make an effort to ~, try to ~, make sure to ~

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようにする

make an effort to ~, try to ~, make sure to ~

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 10

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