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
How to form にする
Examples of the pattern:
- きれいにする
- 明日にする
- カレーにする
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
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
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.
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
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
Practice questions for にする
Learning path for にする
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 — it has been decided that.
- くする — make something become.
- ようと思う — be thinking of doing.
- 意向形 — the volitional form; let’s do.
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:
FAQ about にする
What does にする (ni suru) mean in Japanese?
にする (ni suru) means “make something become”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. Use にする when you want to express the idea of “to make something into; make it” in natural Japanese.
How do you form にする (ni suru)?
Noun / na-adjective + にする
What is the difference between にする and くする?
にする: Noun / na-adjective + にする. くする: i-adjective + くする.
What is an example sentence with にする (ni suru)?
部屋をきれいにしました。 — I made the room clean.