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
Examples of the pattern:
- 聞くようにする
- 忘れないようにする
- 食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
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.
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 毎日日本語を聞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
Is ようにする on the JLPT?
Yes. ようにする is commonly taught as JLPT N4 grammar.
- Recognize it in reading and listening.
- Understand its nuance in context.
- Use it in simple original sentences.
Practice questions for ようにする
Learning path for ようにする
To learn ようにする efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
Related grammar to review next
- ようになる — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- ことにする — connects to change, decision, planning, or effort over time.
- ておく — contrasts with this pattern from the て-form action-flow and auxiliary verb grammar group.
- ようと思う — 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:
FAQ about ようにする
What does ようにする mean in Japanese?
ようにする means “make sure to; try to” in Japanese. It is an N4 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is ようにする on the JLPT?
ようにする is taught as N4 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N4 patterns.
How should I practice ようにする?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after ようにする, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.