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How to Use 〜ようにする | My Language Classes
〜ようにする: A Comprehensive Guide to Expressing Habits and Efforts in Japanese
In Japanese, the phrase 〜ようにする is a versatile and essential grammar point that expresses the idea of “making an effort to do something” or “trying to ensure that something happens.” It is often used to describe habits, goals, or actions that someone consciously works toward. Whether you’re talking about personal habits, health routines, or even ensuring certain outcomes, 〜ようにする is a powerful tool to convey intention and effort.
For example:
- 毎日運動するようにしています。
Mainichi undou suru you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to exercise every day.
This blog will guide you through the formation, usage, and nuances of 〜ようにする, along with plenty of examples to help you master this grammar point.
Formation of 〜ようにする
The structure of 〜ようにする depends on the type of word it follows: verbs, nouns, or adjectives. Let’s break it down:
1. With Verbs
- Verb (dictionary form) + ようにする
Used to express making an effort to do something.
Example:
勉強するようにする
Benkyou suru you ni suru.
To make an effort to study. - Verb (negative form) + ようにする
Used to express making an effort to avoid doing something.
Example:
遅れないようにする
Okurenai you ni suru.
To make sure not to be late.
2. With Nouns
- Noun + の + ようにする
Used to express making an effort to achieve a state or condition.
Example:
静かのようにする
Shizuka no you ni suru.
To make an effort to be quiet.
3. With Adjectives
- い-Adjective + ようにする
Example:
早いようにする
Hayai you ni suru.
To make an effort to be fast. - な-Adjective + な + ようにする
Example:
元気なようにする
Genki na you ni suru.
To make an effort to be healthy.
Usage of 〜ようにする
The 〜ようにする form is used in various situations to express intention, effort, or habit. Here are some common scenarios:
- Expressing Habits or Routines
Example:
毎日野菜を食べるようにしています。
Mainichi yasai wo taberu you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to eat vegetables every day. - Setting Goals or Intentions
Example:
来年までに日本語が上手になるようにします。
Rainen made ni nihongo ga jouzu ni naru you ni shimasu.
I will make an effort to improve my Japanese by next year. - Avoiding Negative Outcomes
Example:
風邪を引かないようにします。
Kaze wo hikanai you ni shimasu.
I will make sure not to catch a cold. - Ensuring a Desired State
Example:
部屋をきれいなようにします。
Heya wo kirei na you ni shimasu.
I will make sure the room stays clean.
List of Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives with 〜ようにする
Here’s a table with examples of verbs, nouns, and adjectives used with 〜ようにする:
Type Word 〜ようにする Form Example Sentence Romaji English Meaning Verb 勉強する 勉強するようにする 毎日勉強するようにしています。 Mainichi benkyou suru you ni shite imasu. I make an effort to study every day. Verb 寝る 寝るようにする 早く寝るようにしています。 Hayaku neru you ni shite imasu. I make an effort to sleep early. Verb (Neg.) 忘れない 忘れないようにする 大切なことを忘れないようにします。 Taisetsu na koto wo wasurenai you ni shimasu. I will make sure not to forget important things. Noun 静か 静かのようにする 図書館では静かのようにします。 Toshokan dewa shizuka no you ni shimasu. I will make sure to be quiet in the library. Noun 健康 健康のようにする 健康のように気をつけます。 Kenkou no you ni ki wo tsukemasu. I will make an effort to stay healthy. い-Adjective 早い 早いようにする 早いように走ります。 Hayai you ni hashirimasu. I will make an effort to run fast. い-Adjective 安い 安いようにする 安いように買い物します。 Yasui you ni kaimono shimasu. I will make an effort to shop cheaply. な-Adjective 元気 元気なようにする 毎日元気なようにしています。 Mainichi genki na you ni shite imasu. I make an effort to stay healthy every day. な-Adjective きれい きれいなようにする 部屋をきれいなようにします。 Heya wo kirei na you ni shimasu. I will make sure the room stays clean.
More Example Sentences
Here are 10 more examples to help you understand the usage of 〜ようにする:
- 毎日水を2リットル飲むようにしています。
Mainichi mizu wo ni rittoru nomu you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to drink 2 liters of water every day. - 夜遅くまで起きないようにします。
Yoru osoku made okinai you ni shimasu.
I will make sure not to stay up late at night. - 毎週末に家族と話すようにしています。
Maishuumatsu ni kazoku to hanasu you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to talk with my family every weekend. - ストレスを感じないようにします。
Sutoresu wo kanjinai you ni shimasu.
I will make sure not to feel stressed. - 毎日新しい単語を覚えるようにしています。
Mainichi atarashii tango wo oboeru you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to memorize a new word every day. - 仕事中は集中するようにします。
Shigoto-chuu wa shuuchuu suru you ni shimasu.
I will make sure to focus during work. - 甘いものを食べすぎないようにします。
Amai mono wo tabesuginai you ni shimasu.
I will make sure not to eat too many sweets. - 毎朝早く起きるようにしています。
Maiasa hayaku okiru you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to wake up early every morning. - 日本語で日記を書くようにしています。
Nihongo de nikki wo kaku you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to write my diary in Japanese. - 週に3回ジムに行くようにしています。
Shuu ni san kai jimu ni iku you ni shite imasu.
I make an effort to go to the gym three times a week.
Things to Keep in Mind
- 〜ようにする vs. 〜ようになる
While 〜ようにする expresses effort or intention, 〜ようになる describes a natural change or result.
Example:
日本語が話せるようになりました。
Nihongo ga hanaseru you ni narimashita.
I have become able to speak Japanese. - Politeness Levels
Use 〜ようにしています for present habits and 〜ようにします for future intentions. Adjust the politeness level based on the context. - Negative Form
When using the negative form, ensure the verb is in its negative form (e.g., 食べない, 行かない). - Context Matters
The meaning of 〜ようにする can vary slightly depending on the context. Pay attention to the overall sentence to understand the nuance.
Fill in the Blanks
- 毎日野菜を（食べる）ようにしています。
- 風邪を（引かない）ようにします。
- 部屋を（きれい）なようにします。
- 毎朝（早い）ように起きます。
- 日本語を（勉強する）ようにしています。
- ストレスを（感じない）ようにします。
- 毎日（水）を飲むようにしています。
- 夜遅くまで（起きない）ようにします。
- 仕事中は（集中する）ようにします。
- 甘いものを（食べすぎない）ようにします。
Answers:
- 食べる
- 引かない
- きれい
- 早い
- 勉強する
- 感じない
- 水
- 起きない
- 集中する
- 食べすぎない
Conclusion
Mastering 〜ようにする is a key step in expressing habits, intentions, and efforts in Japanese. Whether you’re talking about daily routines, personal goals, or avoiding negative outcomes, this grammar point is incredibly useful. By understanding its formation, usage, and nuances, you can confidently incorporate it into your conversations and writing. Keep practicing with the examples and exercises provided, and soon, using 〜ようにする will become second nature. Happy learning!
Let me know if you need further clarification or additional examples! 😊
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- 毎日運動するようにしています。
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How to Use 〜てあげる | My Language Classes
〜てあげる: To Give (an Action) in Japanese
When learning Japanese, you will often encounter the phrase 〜てあげる (te ageru), which means “to give (an action).” This phrase is used when the speaker or someone performs a beneficial action for another person. The nuance of 〜てあげる is that the action is done out of kindness or generosity.
How to Use 〜てあげる
The structure is simple:
[Person] は [Recipient] に [Action in 〜て-form] + あげる
Example:
- わたしは ともだち に 本を 貸してあげました。
(Watashi wa tomodachi ni hon o kashite agemashita.)
→ I lent a book to my friend (as a favor).
Different Forms of 〜てあげる
The verb あげる can be conjugated into different forms to match the politeness level:
Form Usage 〜てあげる Casual/plain form 〜てあげます Polite form 〜てあげて Te-form for requests 〜てあげない Negative form (not doing the action) 〜てあげなかった Past negative form Situations Where 〜てあげる Is Used
1. Doing Something Nice for Someone Else
- わたしは ちょうとせんせい に にもつを 持ってあげました。
(Watashi wa chouto sensei ni nimotsu o motte agemashita.)
→ I carried the teacher’s luggage for them.
2. Helping Someone
- おとうさんは ぼくに 自転車の修理を してあげた。
(Otousan wa boku ni jitensha no shuuri o shite ageta.)
→ Dad fixed my bicycle for me.
3. Giving Advice or Instruction
- わたしは ともだち に 日本語 を 教えてあげる。
(Watashi wa tomodachi ni nihongo o oshiete ageru.)
→ I will teach my friend Japanese.
4. Buying Something for Someone
- おかあさんは いもうと に 花を 買ってあげました。
(Okaasan wa imouto ni hana o katte agemashita.)
→ Mom bought flowers for my little sister.
5. Making a Favorable Gesture
- 私は 友達 に コーヒーを 作ってあげました。
(Watashi wa tomodachi ni koohii o tsukutte agemashita.)
→ I made coffee for my friend.
6. Expressing Kindness in a Relationship
- けんたろうは かのじょに マッサージを かいてあげた。
(Kentaro wa kanojo ni massaaji o kaite ageta.)
→ Kentaro gave his girlfriend a massage.
7. Helping Children or Animals
- おねえさんは 犬 に 食べ物 を あげてあげた。
(Oneesan wa inu ni tabemono o agete ageta.)
→ The older sister gave food to the dog.
Things to Remember About 〜てあげる
- Used when the action is beneficial: You should only use 〜てあげる when the action is helpful or kind.
- Do not use for superiors: Avoid using 〜てあげる when speaking about actions for a superior (e.g., boss, teacher) as it may sound rude. Instead, use 〜てさしあげる.
- Casual tone: This phrase is often used in informal or everyday conversations rather than in formal writing.
Summary Table: When to Use 〜てあげる
Situation Example Helping a friend はさみを 買ってあげた。 (Bought scissors for them.) Teaching someone えいご を 教えてあげる。 (Teach English to them.) Doing a favor 部屋を 掃除してあげる。 (Clean the room for them.) Helping animals 犬 に 飯 を あげてあげる。 (Give food to a dog.) By mastering 〜てあげる, you can express kindness and generosity in Japanese naturally! Practice using it in real conversations to make your speech sound more fluent and native-like.
Do you have any questions about 〜てあげる? Let me know in the comments!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- わたしは ともだち に 本を 貸してあげました。
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Understanding 〜みたい in Japanese | My Language Classes
Expressing Resemblance and Conjecture in Japanese:〜みたい
When learning Japanese, understanding the nuanced use of grammatical structures can significantly improve your fluency. One such structure is 〜みたい. This versatile expression is commonly used in both casual and formal conversations to convey resemblance or conjecture. Let’s delve into the various ways 〜みたい is used and provide examples to solidify your understanding.
What is 〜みたい?
〜みたい is a colloquial expression that can be roughly translated as “like,” “seems like,” or “looks like.” It functions similarly to the formal grammatical structures 〜ようだ and 〜そうだ, but it is often used in casual speech.
Usage of 〜みたい
1. To Express Resemblance or Similarity
When you want to say something is similar to or resembles something else, you use 〜みたい after a noun.
- Structure:
Noun + みたい - Examples:
- 子供みたいに遊んでいる。
(Playing like a child.) - 雲が綿菓子みたいだ。
(The clouds look like cotton candy.)
- 子供みたいに遊んでいる。
2. To Indicate Conjecture Based on Observation
When you infer or guess something based on what you see, hear, or feel, 〜みたい can be used.
- Structure:
Verb (plain form) + みたい
Noun + みたい
Adjective (plain form) + みたい - Examples:
- 雨が降ったみたいだ。
(It seems like it rained.) - 彼は疲れているみたい。
(He seems tired.) - このケーキ、美味しいみたいだね。
(This cake seems delicious.)
- 雨が降ったみたいだ。
3. To Describe Hypothetical Situations or Figurative Comparisons
You can use 〜みたい to express something as if it were true, even though it isn’t.
- Structure:
Verb (plain form) + みたい
Noun + みたい - Examples:
- 夢みたいな話だ。
(It’s like a dream.) - あの二人は本当の兄弟みたいだ。
(Those two are like real brothers.)
- 夢みたいな話だ。
4. To Indicate Behavior or Action Similarity
You can describe someone acting like something or someone else using 〜みたい.
- Structure:
Verb (plain form) + みたい
Noun + みたい - Examples:
- 彼は猫みたいに静かに歩く。
(He walks quietly like a cat.) - 泣いているみたいに見える。
(It looks like they’re crying.)
- 彼は猫みたいに静かに歩く。
5. To Express Uncertainty or Doubt
When you are unsure about a situation, you can use 〜みたい to express your uncertainty.
- Structure:
Verb (plain form) + みたい
Noun + みたい - Examples:
- あの店、閉まっているみたいだ。
(It looks like that shop is closed.) - 試験は簡単みたいだけど、本当はどうかな？
(The test seems easy, but I wonder if it really is?)
- あの店、閉まっているみたいだ。
List of Situations Where 〜みたい is Used
- Comparing one object/person to another.
- Example: 彼女はお姫様みたいだ。 (She looks like a princess.)
- Guessing or making conjectures based on evidence.
- Example: 外は寒いみたいだ。 (It seems cold outside.)
- Making figurative or hypothetical comparisons.
- Example: 今日は地獄みたいに暑い。 (Today is as hot as hell.)
- Describing someone’s behavior or appearance.
- Example: 彼は大人みたいに振る舞う。 (He behaves like an adult.)
- Expressing uncertainty or hesitation.
- Example: あの人は誰か知っているみたいだけど、自信はない。 (It seems like they know that person, but I’m not sure.)
Key Points to Remember
- Casual Nature: 〜みたい is commonly used in informal settings. For more formal contexts, consider using 〜ようだ.
- Interchangeability: In some cases, 〜みたい, 〜ようだ, and 〜そうだ can be used interchangeably, but the nuance may differ slightly.
- Flexibility: It can follow nouns, verbs, and adjectives, making it highly versatile.
Practice Exercises
Try constructing sentences using 〜みたい for the following scenarios:
- Describe a situation where something resembles something else.
- Make a conjecture about something you just observed.
- Create a figurative comparison about an extreme weather condition.
By mastering 〜みたい, you’ll enhance your ability to express nuanced thoughts and interpretations in Japanese. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature in your conversations!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- Structure:
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How to Say “Already” & “Not Yet” in Japanese もう and まだ | My Language Classes
Expressing “Already” and “Not Yet” in Japanese
When learning Japanese, one of the first challenges is understanding how to express “already” and “not yet.” In English, these concepts are simple, but in Japanese, we rely on two essential words: もう (mou) and まだ (mada). By the end of this post, you’ll master how to use these two expressions correctly and naturally.
1. Understanding もう (“Already”)
The word もう translates to “already” in English and is used to indicate that an action has already been completed or a state has been reached.
Examples of もう in Sentences
- もう食べました。
Mou tabemashita.
“I already ate.” - もう終わりましたか？
Mou owarimashita ka?
“Have you already finished?” - 彼はもう来ました。
Kare wa mou kimashita.
“He has already come.”
Key Point for もう:
- Use it with the past tense of a verb to show completion.
- It often expresses a sense of surprise or confirmation.
2. Understanding まだ (“Not Yet”)
On the other hand, まだ means “not yet” and expresses an action or state that has not happened or is still ongoing.
Examples of まだ in Sentences
- まだ食べていません。
Mada tabete imasen.
“I haven’t eaten yet.” - まだ終わっていない。
Mada owatte inai.
“It’s not finished yet.” - 彼はまだ来ていません。
Kare wa mada kite imasen.
“He hasn’t come yet.”
Key Point for まだ:
- Use it with the negative form of a verb.
- It implies that something is expected to happen or still in progress.
3. Using もう and まだ Together
To create a clear contrast, you can use もう and まだ in conversations:
- もう食べましたか？
Mou tabemashita ka?
“Have you already eaten?”- Answer (Yes): もう食べました。(Mou tabemashita.) – “I already ate.”
- Answer (No): まだ食べていません。(Mada tabete imasen.) – “I haven’t eaten yet.”
This contrast helps clarify whether something has already occurred or is still pending.
4. Common Expressions Using もう and まだ
Here are a few handy expressions that use these words:
- もういいです。 (Mou ii desu.) – “It’s okay now.” / “I’m done.”
- まだまだです。 (Mada mada desu.) – “I still have a long way to go.” (Often used humbly about one’s skills or progress.)
5. Summary: Quick Reference Table
Word Meaning Usage Example もう Already Past/Complete Actions もう行きました。 (Mou ikimashita.) – “I already went.” まだ Not Yet/Still Negative or Ongoing まだ行っていません。 (Mada itte imasen.) – “I haven’t gone yet.”
6. Practice Time!
Try filling in the blanks with もう or まだ:
- ( )宿題を終えましたか？ (… shukudai o oemashita ka?)
“Have you finished your homework already?” - いいえ、( )終わっていません。
“No, I haven’t finished yet.”
Answers:
- もう
- まだ
By practicing もう and まだ, you’ll gain confidence in expressing whether something has “already” happened or “not yet.” Keep listening to native speakers and trying these phrases in daily conversation—まだまだ there’s plenty to learn, but you’re already doing great!
What do you think about these tips? Let me know if you もう understand or if you’re まだ unsure—leave a comment below! 😊
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- もう食べました。