# にする: make something become > Learn how to use にする, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning make something become, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-ni-suru/ **にする** means **make something become**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express the idea of “to make something into; make it” in natural Japanese. This grammar point appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express the idea of “to make something into; make it” in natural Japanese, **にする** is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics. ## What does にする mean? Use **にする** when you want to express the idea of “to make something into; make it” in natural Japanese. Natural translations include: - to make something - to make something into; make it The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural. ## How to form にする

Noun / na-adjective + にする

Examples of the pattern: - きれいにする - 明日にする - カレーにする Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form. ## When is にする used? Use **にする** in situations like: - making a decision about what something will become - specifying a condition, time, or state - understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading Tone and register: - neutral; common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions - works in polite, casual, and formal contexts depending on the verb ending ## にする example sentences

部屋へやをきれいにしました。

I made the room clean.

polite

音おとを静しずかにしてください。

Please make the sound quiet.

request

晩ばんご飯はんはカレーにします。

I will make dinner curry.

decision

会議かいぎを明日あしたにしました。

We moved the meeting to tomorrow.

time

この箱はこを空からにしてください。

Please make this box empty.

request

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: decision, condition, time, or change. ## Nuance of にする The key nuance is **to make something into; make it in a sentence-specific context**. This matters because **にする** may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, or a change of state. For example: - In context, **にする** helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation. - Compared with **くする**, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences. ## にする vs くする Both **にする** and **くする** can appear in related sentences, but they are different.

にする

Noun / na-adjective + にする

部屋へやをきれいにしました。

I made the room clean.

くする

i-adjective + くする

Compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, contrast, or politeness.

If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English. ## Common mistakes with にする

❌

Attaching にする to an i-adjective or verb.

✅

Attach にする only to nouns and na-adjectives. Use くする for i-adjectives.

❌

Confusing にする with くする because the English translation looks similar.

✅

Check the word before the pattern: if it is a noun or na-adjective, use にする.

❌

Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context.

✅

Read the full sentence to identify whether the meaning is decision, condition, time, or change.

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel. ## Is にする on the JLPT?

Yes. にする is commonly taught as JLPT N4 grammar.

Recognize it in reading
Understand its nuance in context
Use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together. ## Practice questions for にする

Write one sentence using the basic pattern.

formation

Change the sentence into polite or casual style.

Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section.

contrast

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic. ## Learning path for にする

First, make one short sentence with にする without looking at the pattern chart.

Next, compare it with ことになる. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.

Finally, add くする or ようと思う and check whether replacing にする with one of these changes the meaning.

For practice, write one sentence that uses にする in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below. ## Related grammar to review next - [ことになる](/blog/n4-koto-ni-naru/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time. - [くする](/blog/n4-ku-suru/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time. - [ようと思う](/blog/n4-you-to-omou/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time. - [意向形](/blog/n4-ikou-kei/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time. ## Learn にする with Hane If you want to review **にする** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)