# ようにする: make sure to; try to

> Learn how to use ようにする, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning make sure to; try to, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-you-ni-suru/

**ようにする** means **make sure to; try to**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express a conscious effort or resolution to do something in natural Japanese.

This grammar point is essential for talking about habits, self-improvement, and requests in everyday conversation. If you want to say you are trying to build a new habit or avoid a mistake, **ようにする** is the pattern you need.

## What does ようにする mean?

Use **ようにする** when you want to express **make sure to; try to** in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:

- make sure to
- try to

## How to form ようにする

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (dictionary form)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">ようにする</span>
</div>
<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (negative form)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">ようにする</span>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:

- <ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>くようにする
- <ruby>忘<rt>わす</rt></ruby>れないようにする
- <ruby>食<rt>た</rt></ruby>べすぎないようにする

Related form: ようになる

## When is ようにする used?

Use **ようにする** in situations like:

- making a resolution or building a habit
- asking someone to pay attention to a detail
- describing ongoing efforts to change behavior

Tone and register:

- neutral; common in both spoken and written Japanese
- frequently appears in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday conversation

## ようにする example sentences

<div class="examples">
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>毎日<rt>まいにち</rt></ruby><ruby>日本語<rt>にほんご</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>くようにしています。</div>
<div class="example-en">I make sure to listen to Japanese every day.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">habit</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>忘<rt>わす</rt></ruby>れないようにしてください。</div>
<div class="example-en">Please make sure you do not forget.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">request</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>早<rt>はや</rt></ruby>く<ruby>寝<rt>ね</rt></ruby>るようにします。</div>
<div class="example-en">I will try to go to bed early.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">intention</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>漢字<rt>かんじ</rt></ruby>を<ruby>毎日<rt>まいにち</rt></ruby><ruby>復習<rt>ふくしゅう</rt></ruby>するようにしています。</div>
<div class="example-en">I make sure to review kanji every day.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">effort</span></div>
</div>
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>甘<rt>あま</rt></ruby>い<ruby>物<rt>もの</rt></ruby>を<ruby>食<rt>た</rt></ruby>べすぎないようにしています。</div>
<div class="example-en">I try not to eat too many sweets.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">self-control</span></div>
</div>
</div>

## Nuance of ようにする

The key nuance is **make sure to; try to in context**, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because **ようにする** can express ability, comparison, intention, appearance, effort, or difficulty depending on the surrounding sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

## ようにする vs ようになる

Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

<div class="compare">
<div class="cmp">
<div class="cmp-head a">ようにする</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">make sure to; try to</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Focuses on personal effort and a conscious decision to act.</div>
</div>
<div class="vs">vs</div>
<div class="cmp">
<div class="cmp-head b">ようになる</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">to reach a point where; come to</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Describes natural change or a shift in ability over time, often outside the speaker's direct control.</div>
</div>
</div>

Quick contrast examples:

- Target pattern: <ruby>毎日<rt>まいにち</rt></ruby><ruby>日本語<rt>にほんご</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>くようにしています。 — I make sure to listen to Japanese every day.
- Related pattern with **ようになる**: compare what changes in difficulty, comparison, intention, appearance, or certainty.

## Common mistakes with ようにする

<div class="mistakes">
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>毎日<rt>まいにち</rt></ruby><ruby>日本語<rt>にほんご</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>きますようにする。</span></div>
<div class="mline"><span class="mark good">✅</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>毎日<rt>まいにち</rt></ruby><ruby>日本語<rt>にほんご</rt></ruby>を<ruby>聞<rt>き</rt></ruby>くようにする。</span></div>
<div class="note">Using the wrong verb form before ようにする. Attach the plain dictionary form, not the polite ます form.</div>
</div>
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>早<rt>はや</rt></ruby>く<ruby>寝<rt>ね</rt></ruby>るようになる。</span></div>
<div class="mline"><span class="mark good">✅</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>早<rt>はや</rt></ruby>く<ruby>寝<rt>ね</rt></ruby>るようにする。</span></div>
<div class="note">Confusing ようにする with ようになる. Use ようにする when you are making a personal effort.</div>
</div>
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body">Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context.</span></div>
<div class="mline"><span class="mark good">✅</span> <span class="mline-body">Read the full sentence to confirm whether the meaning is effort, comparison, or ability.</span></div>
<div class="note">Context matters. よう connects to several grammar patterns, so the surrounding sentence determines the correct reading.</div>
</div>
</div>

## Is ようにする on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
<div class="jlpt-shield">N4</div>
<div class="jlpt-info">
<p>Yes. <strong>ようにする</strong> is commonly taught as <strong>JLPT N4</strong> grammar.</p>
<div class="jlpt-checks">
<ul>
<li>Recognize it in reading and listening.</li>
<li>Understand its nuance in context.</li>
<li>Use it in simple original sentences.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>

## Practice questions for ようにする

<div class="prompts">
<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">1</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Write one short sentence using the basic structure.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">production</span>
</div>
<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">2</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">variation</span>
</div>
<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">3</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Compare your sentence with the related pattern ようになる.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
</div>
</div>

## Learning path for ようにする

To learn <strong>ようにする</strong> efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

<div class="path">
<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">1</span>
<span class="step-body">Make one short sentence with <strong>ようにする</strong> without looking at the pattern chart.</span>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">2</span>
<span class="step-body">Compare it with <a href="/blog/n4-you-ni-naru/">ようになる</a>. Choosing between them will help you understand the nuance.</span>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">3</span>
<span class="step-body">Add <a href="/blog/n4-koto-ni-suru/">ことにする</a> or <a href="/blog/n4-te-oku/">ておく</a> to see how the nuance changes.</span>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">4</span>
<span class="step-body">Write one sentence that uses <strong>ようにする</strong> in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with a related pattern.</span>
</div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [ようになる](/blog/n4-you-ni-naru/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- [ことにする](/blog/n4-koto-ni-suru/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- [ておく](/blog/n4-te-oku/) — contrasts with this pattern from the て-form action-flow and auxiliary verb grammar group.
- [ようと思う](/blog/n4-you-to-omou/) — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.

## Learn ようにする with Hane

If you want to review **ようにする** 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/)