Mastering the Making an Effort: A Guide to ~Youni Suru

〜ようにする (~youni suru)

If you’ve been studying Japanese for a while, you know that the language is incredibly nuanced. Sometimes, it’s not just about what you do, but the intent and the effort behind it. One of the most common hurdles for JLPT N4 and N3 learners is expressing the idea of “making an effort to do something” or “trying to form a habit.”

Think about your own life for a second. Have you ever told yourself, “I’m going to try to wake up earlier,” or “I’ll make sure to study Kanji every night”? In English, we use words like “try” or “make sure.” In Japanese, the most natural way to express this is through the grammar point 〜ようにする (~youni suru).

In this guide, we’re going to break down exactly how to use this expression, why it’s different from other “try” expressions, and how you can use it to sound more natural in your daily life and ace your JLPT exam.

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

The Core Concept and Basic Rules

At its heart, 〜ようにする is used when you are making a conscious effort to do something (or not do something). It implies that you are aiming for a certain result, often by forming a habit or being mindful of your actions.

The grammar structure is actually quite simple. You take the Dictionary Form or the Nai-form of a verb and add ようにする.

The Positive Form (Making an effort to do something)

Verb (Dictionary Form) + ようにする

Example: 毎日、日本語を話すようにしています。
(Mainichi, Nihongo o hanasu youni shite imasu.)
I make an effort to speak Japanese every day.

The Negative Form (Making an effort NOT to do something)

Verb (Nai-form) + ようにする

Example: 寝る前に、スマホを見ないようにします。
(Neru mae ni, sumaho o minai youni shimasu.)
I will make sure not to look at my smartphone before going to bed.

One quick tip for your JLPT prep: pay attention to whether the sentence uses します (shimasu) or しています (shite imasu). While shimasu indicates a decision or a one-time effort for the future, shite imasu emphasizes an ongoing habit or a continuous effort. In daily conversation, you’ll hear shite imasu much more frequently because most of our efforts are habitual.

Real-Life Examples for Daily Conversations

To really master this, you need to see it in context. Let’s look at three common scenarios where 〜ようにする is the star of the show.

Scenario 1: Health and Lifestyle Goals

Imagine you’ve just had a health checkup, and you decide you need to be more active. You aren’t promising a miracle, but you are promising an effort.

「健康のために、毎日野菜を食べるようにしています。」
(Kenkou no tame ni, mainichi yasai o taberu youni shite imasu.)
Translation: For the sake of my health, I make it a point to eat vegetables every day.

Here, using youni shite imasu shows that this isn’t just a one-time thing you did yesterday; it’s a lifestyle choice you are actively maintaining.

Scenario 2: Workplace Responsibility

In a Japanese work environment, being on time (or early) is crucial. If you were late once and want to reassure your boss that it won’t happen again, you wouldn’t just say “I won’t be late.” You would show your intention to try harder.

「明日は会議に遅れないようにします。」
(Ashita wa kaigi ni okurenai youni shimasu.)
Translation: I will make sure not to be late for the meeting tomorrow.

By using the negative form (okurenai), you are expressing a strong intention to avoid a specific negative outcome.

Scenario 3: Language Learning Habits

We’ve all been there—trying to find time for Kanji. Instead of saying “I study Kanji” (which sounds like a simple fact), use youni suru to show the dedication behind it.

「JLPTに合格するために、毎日新しい単語を５つ覚えるようにしています。」
(JLPT ni goukaku suru tame ni, mainichi atarashii tango o itsutsu oboeru youni shite imasu.)
Translation: In order to pass the JLPT, I’m making an effort to memorize five new words every day.

Common Pitfalls and Nuances

One of the biggest struggles for learners is knowing when to use 〜ようにする versus other similar-sounding grammar points. Let’s clear up the confusion so you don’t lose points on your exam!

~Youni Suru vs. ~Koto ni Suru

This is a classic JLPT trap. 〜ことにする (~koto ni suru) means “I have decided to do X.” It’s about the decision itself. On the other hand, 〜ようにする is about the effort and the process.

If you say “Mainichi hashiru koto ni shimashita,” you are saying “I decided to run every day.” The focus is on the choice you made. If you say “Mainichi hashiru youni shite imasu,” you are saying “I am trying my best to run every day.” The latter sounds more humble and realistic, as it acknowledges that it takes effort to keep it up.

Don’t Use It for Instant Actions

You shouldn’t use 〜ようにする for things that happen instantly or things that don’t require an ongoing effort of will. For example, if someone asks you to open the door, you wouldn’t say “Door o akeru youni shimasu” (I will make an effort to open the door). That sounds like the door is incredibly heavy or you’re contemplating the philosophy of opening doors! Just say “Akemasu” (I’ll open it).

The “Polite Command” Variation

You might see 〜ようにしてください (~youni shite kudasai) in signs or hear it from teachers. This is a polite way to give an instruction or a reminder. It’s softer than “V-te kudasai.”

Example: 「忘れないようにしてください。」 (Wasurenai youni shite kudasai.)
It means “Please make sure not to forget,” rather than a blunt “Don’t forget.” It’s very useful in professional settings.

How to Practice and Internalize This Grammar

Reading about grammar is one thing, but using it is how you actually learn. To get 〜ようにする stuck in your brain, I recommend a few simple exercises:

1. The “New Year’s Resolution” List: Write down three things you are trying to do this year using ~youni shite imasu. Maybe it’s about drinking more water, sleeping earlier, or practicing listening.
2. The “Office/School Reminder”: Think of three rules in your office or school. Rephrase them as ~youni shite kudasai. This helps you understand the polite command side of the grammar.
3. Observe Natives: If you watch Japanese dramas or YouTube vlogs, listen for when they talk about their routines. You’ll be surprised how often youni shite imasu pops up when they talk about skincare, hobbies, or work habits.

Remember, Japanese people value the concept of 頑張る (ganbaru)—doing one’s best. 〜ようにする is the grammatical embodiment of that spirit. It shows that you are working toward a goal, and that intentionality is highly respected in Japanese culture.

Wrapping Up

Mastering 〜ようにする is a huge step toward sounding more natural and nuanced in Japanese. It moves you away from simple “A does B” sentences and allows you to express your goals, your habits, and your sincere intentions.

To summarize:

• Use Dictionary Form + ようにする for positive efforts.
• Use Nai-form + ようにする for things you are trying to avoid.
• Use 〜ようにしている to talk about your current habits.
• Distinguish it from 〜ことにする (decision) by focusing on the effort rather than the choice.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Even if you mix it up occasionally, the fact that you are trying to use more complex grammar shows your progress. Keep practicing, keep making that effort (ようにしてください!), and you’ll see your Japanese skills soar just in time for the JLPT.

Do you have a habit you’re currently working on? Try writing it in the comments using 〜ようにしています. I’d love to see your practice!

Good luck with your studies, and see you in the next lesson!

IPPO, JLPT training platform is always here to help you to pass the JLPT!!