In Japanese, you can describe nouns not only with adjectives, but also with actions just like saying “the book I read” or “the person who helped me.” This is done using relative clauses. In Japanese, the structure is simpler than in English.
Verb + Noun
The thing that is doing the thing...
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
Use the short form of a verb directly before a noun to describe it. This forms a relative clause, similar to “the book I read” in English. The clause can include subjects and particles. Even in polite sentences, the modifying verb stays in short form.
Usage Pattern
[Short-form verb] + noun
Example 1
あれはさっき見た車なんじゃない？
あれ は さっき みた くるま なん じゃ ない？
Are wa sakki mita kuruma nan janai?
Isn’t that the car we saw earlier?
Example 2
今日は先生が昨日教えてくれたレストランに行ってみる。
きょう は せんせい が きのう おしえて くれた れすとらん に いって みる。
Kyō wa sensei ga kinō oshiete kureta resutoran ni itte miru.
Today I’ll try the restaurant my teacher told me about yesterday.
Example 3
木曜日に読んだ本は怖かったです。
もくようび に よんだ ほん は こわかった です。
Mokuyōbi ni yonda hon wa kowakatta desu.
The book I read on Thursday was scary.
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