B1 Sentence Structure 4 min read 中等

Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns with koto and no

Add koto or no after a dictionary-form verb to treat an entire action as a single noun.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {こと|こと} or {の|の} after a verb to turn it into a noun so you can describe or act upon it.

  • Use {こと|こと} for abstract concepts or general facts: {泳ぐこと|およぐこと}は楽しい (Swimming is fun).
  • Use {の|の} for sensory experiences or immediate actions: {泳ぐの|およぐの}が見える (I can see you swimming).
  • Always attach {こと|こと} or {の|の} to the dictionary form of the verb.
Verb (Dictionary Form) + {こと|こと}/{の|の} = Noun

Overview

Ever felt stuck trying to say you love playing video games? In English, we just add -ing to a verb. In Japanese, verbs can't just act like nouns on their own.
You need a special tool called a nominalizer. Think of koto and no as little hooks. They catch a verb and turn it into a noun.
This lets you use verbs as subjects or objects. It opens up a whole new world of expression. You can talk about hobbies, skills, and feelings.
Let's master this magic trick together.

How This Grammar Works

Japanese sentences often end with a verb. But sometimes, you want to put a verb in the middle. You might want to say Seeing is believing. In Japanese, you take the dictionary form of a verb.
Then, you simply attach koto or no. This creates a noun phrase. Suddenly, your action verb acts like a thing.
It’s like putting a suit on a verb. Now it’s ready for a formal noun party. Both words mostly do the same job.
However, they have small, important personality differences. We will look at those tiny details soon.

Formation Pattern

1
Turning a verb into a noun is actually very simple. Follow these steps to get it right every time:
2
Take your verb in the plain (dictionary) form.
3
Do not use the polite -masu form here.
4
Add koto or no immediately after the verb.
5
Treat the whole phrase as a single noun.
6
Examples:
7
taberu (to eat) + no = taberu no (eating)
8
oyogu (to swim) + koto = oyogu koto (swimming)
9
miru (to see) + no = miru no (seeing)

When To Use It

You use these when a sentence needs a noun. This happens with words like suki (like) or jouzu (skillful). If you like pizza, you say piza ga suki. If you like eating pizza, you need a nominalizer. Use taberu no ga suki.
Real-world scenario: You are at a job interview. They ask about your skills. You say nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu (I can speak Japanese).
Another scenario: You are ordering food. You want to say
Taking out is okay.
You say mochikaeru no wa daijoubu desu.
Use koto for:
  • Formal situations.
  • Abstract ideas or facts.
  • Describing your hobby before desu.
Use no for:
  • Concrete, physical actions.
  • Things happening right in front of you.
  • Sentences about seeing, hearing, or waiting.

When Not To Use It

Don't use these with plain nouns. If you already have a noun, you're set. You don't say ringo no ga suki. Just say ringo ga suki.
Also, avoid mixing them up in set phrases. For example, koto ga dekiru (can do) always uses koto. You can't swap it for no. It's like a grammar traffic light. Green means go, but red means stop and think.
Another big one: don't use nominalizers with adjectives. Adjectives have their own ways to become nouns. Keep your verbs and adjectives in separate lanes.

Common Mistakes

Many people use the polite -masu form by mistake. They say tabemasu no. This sounds very clunky and weird to natives. Always stick to the dictionary form.
Another mistake is using koto for sensory actions. If you see someone running, use no. Saying hashiru koto o mita sounds like you saw the *concept* of running. That’s a bit too philosophical for a morning jog!
Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes in casual speech. But for your exams and work, precision is key. Think of it like a puzzle piece. If it doesn't click, try the other one.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

You might know mono. While koto is an abstract thing, mono is a physical object. taberu mono is

a thing to eat
(like a snack). taberu koto is the act of eating.

There is also tame ni. This means in order to. It looks similar because it uses the dictionary form. But tame ni explains a purpose. Nominalizers just change the word's category. Don't let the similar shapes fool you. They are different tools in your belt.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use koto and no interchangeably?

Often yes, but no is more casual and sensory.

Q

Which one do I use for hobbies?

Usually koto when ending with desu. My hobby is utau koto (singing).

Q

Is it okay to use these in texts?

Absolutely! They are essential for natural-sounding Japanese.

Q

How do I remember the sensory rule?

Just remember:

Eyes and ears prefer no.
It’s a short, easy rhyme.

Nominalization Formation

Verb Type Dictionary Form Nominalized (Koto) Nominalized (No)
Ru-Verb
{食べる|たべる}
{食べること|たべること}
{食べるの|たべるの}
U-Verb
{書く|かく}
{書くこと|かくこと}
{書くの|かくの}
Irregular
{する|する}
{すること|すること}
{するの|するの}
Negative
{行かない|いかない}
{行かないこと|いかないこと}
{行かないの|いかないの}
Past
{食べた|たべた}
{食べたこと|たべたこと}
{食べたの|たべたの}
Potential
{読める|よめる}
{読めること|よめること}
{読めるの|よめるの}

Meanings

Nominalization allows you to turn a verb phrase into a noun phrase, enabling it to function as a subject, object, or topic.

1

Abstract Nominalization

Turning an action into a concept or fact.

“{趣味|しゅみ}は{料理すること|りょうりすること}です。”

“{彼|かれ}が{来ること|くること}を{知|し}っています。”

2

Sensory/Immediate Nominalization

Turning an action into a concrete event happening right now.

“{子供|こども}が{走|はし}るのを見ました。”

“{歌|うた}うのが{好|す}きです。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns with koto and no
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb(dict) + {こと|こと}
{泳ぐこと|およぐこと}は{健康|けんこう}にいい
Negative
Verb(neg) + {こと|こと}
{行かないこと|いかないこと}を{決|き}めた
Sensory
Verb(dict) + {の|の}
{歌|うた}うのが{聞|き}こえる
Preference
Verb(dict) + {の|の} + {好|す}き
{料理|りょうり}するのが{好|す}き
Past
Verb(past) + {こと|こと}
{会|あ}ったことを{覚|おぼ}えている
Question
Verb(dict) + {の|の}?
{行|い}くの？

正式程度

正式
{料理|りょうり}をすることが{好|す}きです。

{料理|りょうり}をすることが{好|す}きです。 (Casual conversation)

中性
{料理|りょうり}するのが{好|す}きです。

{料理|りょうり}するのが{好|す}きです。 (Casual conversation)

非正式
{料理|りょうり}するの{好|す}き。

{料理|りょうり}するの{好|す}き。 (Casual conversation)

俚语
{料理|りょうり}するの{好|す}き！

{料理|りょうり}するの{好|す}き！ (Casual conversation)

Nominalization Map

Verb

Add Koto

  • Abstract Concepts
  • Facts General truths

Add No

  • Sensory See/Hear
  • Personal Preferences
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按水平分级的例句

1

{テニス|てにす}をするのが{好|す}きです。

I like playing tennis.

2

{日本語|にほんご}を{話|はな}すことは{難|むずか}しいです。

Speaking Japanese is difficult.

1

{彼|かれ}が{走|はし}るのを見ました。

I saw him running.

2

{明日|あした}{学校|がっこう}に{行|い}くことを{忘|わす}れないで。

Don't forget to go to school tomorrow.

1

{歌|うた}うのが{聞|き}こえます。

I can hear someone singing.

2

{趣味|しゅみ}は{本|ほん}を{読|よ}むことです。

My hobby is reading books.

1

{彼|かれ}が{嘘|うそ}をついたのを知っています。

I know that he lied.

2

{会議|かいぎ}に{出席|しゅっせき}することは{義務|ぎむ}です。

Attending the meeting is mandatory.

1

{彼|かれ}の{話|はなし}すのを聞いて、{驚|おどろ}きました。

I was surprised to hear him speak.

2

{計画|けいかく}を{変更|へんこう}することに{同意|どうい}しました。

I agreed to change the plan.

1

{雨|あめ}が{降|ふ}るのが{感|かん}じられます。

I can feel the rain falling.

2

{事実|じじつ}を{認|みと}めることは{重要|じゅうよう}です。

Acknowledging the facts is important.

容易混淆

Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns with koto and no 对比 {こと|こと} vs {の|の}

Both turn verbs into nouns, but they have different scopes.

常见错误

✗

{食べます|たべます}こと

✓

{食べること|たべること}

Do not use masu-form.
✗

{泳ぐ|およぐ}ことを見ました

✓

{泳ぐの|およぐの}を見ました

Use {の|の} for sensory verbs.
✗

{行く|いく}のを知っています

✓

{行くこと|いくこと}を知っています

Use {こと|こと} for facts/knowledge.
✗

...

✓

...

...

句型

___のが{好|す}きです。

___ことは{大切|たいせつ}です。

___のを見ました。

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

{旅行|りょこう}するの{好|す}き！

Job Interview common

{チーム|ちーむ}で{働|はたら}くことは{得意|とくい}です。

Texting constant

{明日|あした}{会|あ}うの{忘|わす}れないでね。

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💡

The 'Fact' Rule

If you are talking about a general truth, always reach for {こと|こと}.
⚠️

Sensory Trap

Never use {こと|こと} with verbs like 'see' or 'hear'. Use {の|の}!
🎯

Preference Shortcut

When talking about what you like or dislike, {の|の} is your best friend.

Smart Tips

Always use {の|の} with {好|す}き.

{読書|どくしょ}することが{好|す}きです。 → {読書|どくしょ}するのが{好|す}きです。

Use {こと|こと} to sound objective.

{早起|はやお}きするのは{健康|けんこう}にいいです。 → {早起|はやお}きすることは{健康|けんこう}にいいです。

Use {の|の} for 'I see/hear'.

{彼|かれ}が{歌|うた}うことを{聞|き}きました。 → {彼|かれ}が{歌|うた}うのを聞きました。

发音

koto (low-high-low)

Pitch Accent

The nominalizers {こと|こと} and {の|の} usually follow the pitch of the preceding verb.

Question

{行|い}くの？↑

Rising intonation indicates a question.

记住它

记忆技巧

Koto is a 'Concept' (starts with C/K), No is for 'Notice' (sensory).

视觉联想

Imagine a giant 'Koto' harp representing an abstract idea, and a 'No' sign blocking your view, forcing you to 'notice' the action.

Rhyme

For facts use Koto, for senses use No, that's how the Japanese sentences go.

Story

Ken loves reading. He says 'Reading (yomu) is fun' using {こと|こと} because it's a general fact. But when he sees his cat running, he says 'I see the cat running' using {の|の} because it's a sensory event.

Word Web

{こと|こと}{の|の}{好|す}き{見|み}る{聞|き}く{知|し}る

挑战

Write 3 sentences about your day: one using {こと|こと} for a fact, one using {の|の} for a preference, and one using {の|の} for something you saw.

文化笔记

In formal business settings, {こと|こと} is preferred to sound objective and professional.

Kansai speakers often use {の|の} more frequently in casual speech.

Both {こと|こと} and {の|の} have ancient roots as nouns that evolved into grammatical particles.

对话开场白

“

{趣味|しゅみ}は何ですか？

“

最近、何か{見|み}ましたか？

“

{日本語|にほんご}を{勉強|べんきょう}するのはどうですか？

日记主题

Write about your favorite hobby.
Describe something you saw today.
Discuss a fact about your country.

常见错误

Incorrect

正确

Incorrect

正确

Incorrect

正确

Incorrect

正确

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct nominalizer.

{テニス|てにす}をする___が{好|す}きです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
{の|の} is used with preferences.
Choose the correct sentence. 多项选择

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Sensory verbs require {の|の}.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Standard subject-predicate order.
Translate to Japanese. 翻译

I know that he is coming.

Answer starts with: b...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Knowledge of a fact uses {こと|こと}.

Score: /4

练习题

4 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct nominalizer.

{テニス|てにす}をする___が{好|す}きです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
{の|の} is used with preferences.
Choose the correct sentence. 多项选择

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Sensory verbs require {の|の}.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

は / {大切|たいせつ} / {勉強|べんきょう}する / こと / です

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Standard subject-predicate order.
Translate to Japanese. 翻译

I know that he is coming.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Knowledge of a fact uses {こと|こと}.

Score: /4

常见问题 (6)

In some cases, yes, but they change the nuance. {こと|こと} is more formal/abstract, {の|の} is more personal/immediate.

Nominalizers attach to the dictionary form because the dictionary form acts as the base for noun modification.

Mostly, but also for personal preferences like 'I like doing X'.

You will likely be understood, but you might sound slightly unnatural or overly formal/informal.

Yes, {もの|もの} is used for physical objects or emotional emphasis.

Try describing your daily routine using {こと|こと} and your hobbies using {の|の}.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

El + infinitivo

Japanese uses particles after the verb, while Spanish uses an article before.

French moderate

Le fait de

French is more wordy compared to the concise Japanese particle.

German moderate

Das + Infinitiv

German uses orthography, Japanese uses particles.

Japanese N/A

N/A

N/A

Arabic partial

Masdar

Arabic changes the word form, Japanese adds a particle.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Te-form Conjunctions: Connecting Clauses Sequentially
Next
Expressing Hearsay with ~sou da (I heard that...)

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