How to Turn Verbs into Nouns in Japanese with こと

In English, saying “Learning is important” turns an action into a noun. In Japanese, the word こと plays a similar role. It’s a powerful tool for expressing habits, rules, experiences, and general ideas.

こと

Turning Verbs into Nouns

Usage Pattern

[Verb (Short Form)]+ こと

Details

JLPT Level: N4

How to Use It

Use こと when you’re referring to actions in an abstract, general, or factual way. It’s commonly used when describing hobbies, giving advice, sharing rules, or explaining something as a fact.

It’s also used when the nominalized verb appears before
です, or in set expressions like ~ことが好きです (I like doing ~).

Want A Deeper Explanation?

Sign up for Kotoba Kards and get more in depth explanations about grammar points as well as frequent review questions to help you retain what you are learning.

Example 1

日本語を勉強することは楽しいです。

にほんご を べんきょう する こと は たのしい です。

Nihongo o benkyō suru koto no wa tanoshii desu.

Studying Japanese is fun.

Example 2

ピアノをひくことが好きです。

ぴあの を ひく こと が すき です。

Piano o hiku koto ga suki desu.

I like playing the piano.

Example 3

朝ごはんを食べることは大切です。

あさごはん を たべる こと は たいせつ です。

Asagohan o taberu koto wa taisetsu desu.

Eating breakfast is important.

Scroll to Top