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
JLPT Level: N4
Understanding it once is only the first step
With spaced review, personalized example sentences, and targeted grammar questions, Kotoba Kards helps you actually remember grammar and use it with confidence
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 ~).
Usage Pattern
[Verb (Short Form)]+ こと
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.
Want to actually remember this?
Practice it with spaced repetition and example sentences built from words you already know.