Change in state: How to Use 〜ようになる (Youni Naru)

〜ようになる (Youni Naru) 

Do you remember the very first day you started studying Japanese? You probably looked at a page of Hiragana and felt like you were looking at a secret code that you’d never be able to crack. You might have struggled just to say “Konnichiwa” without feeling a bit awkward. But look at you now. You’re reading articles about intermediate grammar, preparing for the JLPT, and navigating the complexities of a language that once felt impossible.

Before diving into the grammar detail, here is the JLPT N4 complete guide: 
The Ultimate JLPT N4 Complete Guide: Your Gateway to Working and Living in Japan

That transition—that shift from “I can’t do it” to “I can do it”—is exactly what we are going to talk about today. In Japanese, we have a specific way to describe this evolution: 〜ようになる (youni naru).

Whether you are aiming for the N4 or N3 level of the JLPT, this grammar point is absolutely essential. It’s the grammar of progress, the grammar of habit-forming, and the grammar of seeing the world change around you. If you’ve ever wanted to say “I finally started understanding what my Japanese coworkers are saying” or “I’ve started drinking black coffee lately,” this is the tool you need in your linguistic toolbox.

The Core Concept of Youni Naru

At its heart, 〜ようになる expresses a change in state or ability over time. It describes a transition from State A to State B. Usually, this means going from “not being able to do something” to “being able to do it,” or from “not having a habit” to “having a habit.”

Think of it as a bridge. On one side of the bridge, you didn’t do something. You walk across the bridge (which represents time, practice, or a change in circumstances), and on the other side, you now do that thing. It’s a gradual shift rather than a sudden, one-off action.

The English translation usually falls into categories like:

• “To reach the point where…”
• “To become able to…”
• “To start doing (as a habit)…”
• “It has come to be that…”

The beauty of this expression is that it captures the process. It implies that there was a time before when the situation was different. It’s a very dynamic way of speaking that makes your Japanese sound much more natural and nuanced than just using a simple verb.

Understanding the Basic Grammar Rules

One of the reasons students love (and sometimes struggle with) 〜ようになる is its flexibility. It primarily connects with verbs. Here is the simple breakdown of how to form it.

Using the Potential Form (Ability)

This is the most common use for JLPT learners. When you want to say you’ve “become able to” do something that was previously difficult or impossible, you use the Potential Form of the verb.

Verb (Potential Form) + ようになる

Example: 話せる (can speak) → 話せるようになる (become able to speak)

Using the Dictionary Form (Habit)

If you want to say that you’ve started doing something regularly, or that a new custom or situation has started, you use the Dictionary Form.

Verb (Dictionary Form) + ようになる

Example: 泳ぐ (swim) → 泳ぐようになる (to start swimming regularly)

Using the Negative Form (Loss of Habit or Ability)

While less common than the positive version, you can also use the negative 〜なくなる (nai-form minus ‘i’ + kunaru) to show that you’ve stopped being able to do something or stopped a habit. However, for 〜ようになる specifically, we usually focus on the positive change or the “new” state.

Daily Life Examples and Deep Dives

To really get a feel for how this works, let’s look at three common scenarios you’ll likely encounter while living in Japan or talking to Japanese friends. Pay attention to the subtle nuance in each one.

Example 1: Describing Improved Language Skills

Imagine you’ve been studying hard for six months. Suddenly, you realize you don’t need subtitles as much when watching anime.

日本語のニュースがだいたい理解できるようになりました。
(Nihongo no nyuusu ga daitai rikai dekiru you ni narimashita.)
Translation: I’ve become able to mostly understand the Japanese news.

In this sentence, we use できる (can do/potential). It implies that in the past, the news was just a wall of noise. But through study and time, you reached a point where comprehension is possible. Notice we use 〜なりました (past tense) because the change has already occurred. This is a classic “Ability Change” example.

Example 2: A Change in Daily Habits

Maybe you moved to Japan and started walking everywhere. Now, you find yourself going for a jog every morning.

健康のために、毎日走るようになりました。
(Kenkou no tame ni, mainichi hashiru you ni narimashita.)
Translation: I’ve started running every day for my health.

Here, we use the Dictionary Form (走る). This isn’t about ability (you could always run), it’s about a habitual change. It suggests that you didn’t use to run every day, but something changed in your lifestyle, and now it’s a regular part of your routine. If you just said “毎日走ります,” it sounds like a simple fact. Adding “〜ようになりました” gives the listener context that this is a new development in your life.

Example 3: Changes in Technology or Society

This grammar isn’t just for talking about yourself; it’s great for describing how the world is changing.

最近、スマホでどこでも映画が見られるようになりました。
(Saikin, sumaho de dokodemo eiga ga mirareru you ni narimashita.)
Translation: Lately, it’s become possible to watch movies anywhere on a smartphone.

This uses the Potential Form (見られる). It describes a change in the environment or technology. It tells us that this wasn’t possible before, but thanks to advancements, we are now in a state where “watching movies anywhere” is the norm. It’s a very useful way to talk about social trends.

Common Mistakes and Nuances to Watch Out For

Even though the rule seems simple, there are a few traps that JLPT students often fall into. Let’s clear those up so you can use this grammar with total confidence.

Youni Naru vs. Koto ni Naru

This is probably the biggest headache for N3 students. Both involve naru (to become), but they mean very different things.

• 〜ようになる (Youni Naru): Focuses on a gradual change in state, ability, or habit. It’s often something that happens naturally or through effort.
• 〜ことになる (Koto ni Naru): Focuses on a decision or an outcome that has been decided by external factors or “the way things turned out.” It often feels like “it has been decided that…”

Example:
Japan ni iku youni naru = I reached the point where I go to Japan (maybe I travel there often now).
Japan ni iku koto ni naru = It has been decided that I am going to Japan (perhaps for a business trip assigned by my boss).

Don’t Use it for Instant Changes

Remember, youni naru implies a transition. You shouldn’t use it for something that happens in a split second. For example, you wouldn’t say “I became able to turn on the light” using youni naru unless it was a very strange situation where you previously couldn’t reach the switch and finally grew tall enough. For simple, immediate actions, just use the verb itself.

The “Potential” Rule of Thumb

If you are talking about a skill you’ve acquired (like speaking Japanese, swimming, or cooking), you almost always want to use the Potential form before youni naru. If you use the dictionary form for a skill, it might sound like you always could do it, but you just recently decided to start doing it as a habit. To emphasize that you learned the skill, stick with the potential form.

Confusion with “Youni Suru”

Keep in mind the difference between naru (to become) and suru (to do).

• 〜ようになる: The change happens (sometimes naturally).
• 〜ようにする: You make an effort to ensure the change happens.

Example: Mainichi yasai o taberu youni narimashita (I’ve ended up eating vegetables every day). vs. Mainichi yasai o taberu youni shite imasu (I am making an effort to eat vegetables every day).

How to Practice Using This Today

The best way to get this grammar into your long-term memory is to apply it to your own life. Think about how you have changed since you started your Japanese journey.

Try completing these sentences for yourself:

1. 1年前はできなかったけど、今は（Verb Potential）ようになる。
   (One year ago I couldn’t do it, but now I’ve become able to…)
2. 日本に来てから、（Verb Dictionary）ようになる。
   (Since coming to Japan, I’ve started…)

Maybe you’ve become able to read 500 Kanji. Maybe you’ve started liking Natto (a huge milestone!). Whatever it is, using 〜ようになる makes your progress visible. It’s a grammar point that celebrates growth.

Summary

The 〜ようになる structure is one of the most rewarding grammar points to master because it allows you to express your personal growth and the evolving world around you. To recap:

• Use Potential Verb + ようになる for changes in ability.
• Use Dictionary Verb + ようになる for changes in habits or external situations.
• It represents a process or transition from one state to another.
• Be careful not to confuse it with 〜ことになる (decisions) or 〜ようにする (conscious effort).

Learning Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days when you feel like you aren’t moving forward, but then you’ll suddenly realize you can understand a conversation you couldn’t understand a month ago. In that moment, you’ll think, “Ah, わかるようになった!” (I’ve become able to understand!).

Keep practicing, keep noticing the changes in your own skills, and soon, using this grammar will become second nature to you. Happy studying, and good luck with your JLPT preparation!

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