Conquering the Senses 〜がする(Ga Suru): A Comprehensive Guide to the Japanese Grammar Point

You might already know that the verb する (suru) generally means “to do,” but in this construction, it transforms completely, taking on a role related to sensing or perceiving. If you find yourself struggling to differentiate between 聞く (kiku – to listen intentionally) and 聞こえる (kikoeru – to be audible), or if you are unsure how to describe a strange smell without directly saying “it smells,” then this guide is for you. We will break down 〜がする, ensuring you master this essential structure not just for the JLPT, but for fluency in everyday Japanese.

Stop worrying about mistranslating your sensory experiences! Let’s dive deep into how you can use 〜がする to naturally express the sounds, smells, and feelings that spontaneously enter your consciousness.

The Essence of 〜がする: Perception Without Intention

At its core, the grammar structure [Noun related to Sensation] + が + する is used to describe an involuntary perception—something that registers in your senses without you actively trying to make it happen. Think of it as saying, “A sensation is happening,” or “A perception is being registered.”

The Crucial Role of Suru (する)

When you first learn Japanese, する (suru) is one of the very first verbs you encounter, meaning “to do” (e.g., 勉強をします – benkyō o shimasu – I study). However, when paired with a sensory noun and the particle が (ga), its meaning pivots dramatically. Here, する means “to be perceived,” “to register,” or “to emanate.”

This construction is fundamentally intransitive (自動詞 – jidoushi). This means the sensation itself is the subject (marked by が), and the action is simply the occurrence of that sensation. You are not the agent performing the action; you are the passive receiver of the input.

The Basic Formula:

[Sensory Noun] + が + する

This construction is primarily used with the senses of smell, sound, and taste, and occasionally with generalized feelings or bodily sensations.

A Deep Dive into the Senses Where Ga Suru Thrives

Understanding which nouns pair naturally with 〜がする is key. It’s predominantly used for phenomena that are fleeting or that simply appear in your environment:

1. 聴覚 (Chōkaku: Hearing) – Sounds and Voices

When you hear something unexpected or when you can identify the source of the sound, this is the perfect time to use がする. The most common noun used here is 音 (oto – sound).

• 物音がする (monooto ga suru): A sound (of something) is heard.
• 話し声がする (hanashigoe ga suru): Talking voices are heard.
• 変な音がする (hen na oto ga suru): A strange noise is registering.

Why not just use 聞こえる (kikoeru)? While 聞こえる is the natural potential form meaning “to be audible,” 音がする specifically highlights the existence or emanation of that sound. Both are intransitive, but 音がする often carries a slightly more immediate sense of detection.

2. 嗅覚 (Kyūkaku: Smell) – Scents and Odors

This is arguably the most frequent and indispensable application of 〜がする. Japanese has specific nouns for different types of smells:

• 匂い (nioi – general smell, often neutral or bad)
• 香り (kaori – aroma, fragrance, usually good)

You cannot use the verb 匂う (niou) in the sense of ‘smell is perceived’ as smoothly as you can use 匂いがする. When you walk into a room and spontaneously register a scent, 匂いがする is the go-to phrase.

3. 味覚 (Mikaku: Taste) – Flavors

While less common than sound or smell, がする is used to describe the overall taste or flavor that is perceived when eating or drinking.

• 味がする (aji ga suru): There is a taste (flavor).
• 変な味がする (hen na aji ga suru): A strange taste is registering.

4. 触覚/体感 (Shokkaku/Taikan: Touch/Sensation) – Feelings and Impressions

〜がする can also extend beyond the classic three senses to express abstract or internal sensations, especially those related to bodily condition or intuition.

• 感じがする (kanji ga suru): A feeling/sense is registered.
• 寒気がする (samuke ga suru): I feel a chill (goosebumps/pre-fever chill).

Crucial Exclusion: 視覚 (Shikaku: Sight). You almost never use 光がする (hikari ga suru) or 色がする (iro ga suru). For sight, the spontaneous perception verb is 見える (mieru – to be visible). If you want to describe light, you would say 光が見える (hikari ga mieru) or simply 光っている (hikatte iru – it is shining).

Real-Life Application: Mastering Ga Suru in Daily Conversations

Let’s put the theory into practice with examples that are highly likely to appear on the JLPT listening section or be useful in your daily interactions in Japan.

Example 1: The Unexpected Aroma (The Power of 嗅覚)

Imagine you are walking down a street or entering a café. Your senses are immediately struck by a pleasant scent.

日本語: 隣のパン屋さんから、とても甘い香りがしますね。パンを焼いているのかな？

Romaji: Tonari no panyasan kara, totemo amai kaori ga shimasu ne. Pan o yaite iru no kana?

English Translation: I can perceive a very sweet aroma coming from the bakery next door, can’t I? Are they baking bread, I wonder?

Analysis: Notice that the speaker is not intentionally sniffing the air (that would be 匂いを嗅ぐ – nioi o kagu). The sweet smell spontaneously entered their consciousness. By using 甘い香りがする, the speaker is expressing an objective fact about the environment—the sweet aroma is present and registering.

JLPT Tip: When describing a bad smell, you might use 変な匂いがする (hen na nioi ga suru) or 焦げた匂いがする (kogeta nioi ga suru – a burnt smell is perceived). This is a common phrase to identify a potential problem, like a fire or spoiled food.

Example 2: The Mysterious Sound (The Intrusion of 聴覚)

You are studying quietly in your apartment, and suddenly you hear a faint, strange sound coming from the ceiling or the hallway.

日本語: 今、上の階から、ドンドンという大きな音がしたよ。何があったんだろう？

Romaji: Ima, ue no kai kara, don-don to iu ookina oto ga shita yo. Nani ga atta n darou?

English Translation: A loud banging sound was registered just now, coming from the floor above. I wonder what happened?

Analysis: The use of 音がした (past tense) highlights that the sound was a sudden event—it happened and was immediately perceived. The speaker was not listening for it; it simply occurred. The use of the onomatopoeia ドンドン (don-don – banging sound) followed by という is a very natural and advanced way to specify the nature of the perceived sound, making this sentence highly useful for N2 preparation.

Grammar Detail: When describing specific types of sounds, you often use the structure [Onomatopoeia] + と + いう + 音 + が + する. This structure means, “A sound that is like [Onomatopoeia] is perceived.”

Example 3: Sensing an Intuitive Feeling (Abstract Sensation)

You meet someone new, or you are in an unfamiliar situation, and you get an immediate, non-physical sense about it.

日本語: この場所に来たのは初めてだけど、なぜか懐かしい感じがします。

Romaji: Kono basho ni kita no wa hajimete dakedo, naze ka natsukashii kanji ga shimasu.

English Translation: It’s my first time coming to this place, but for some reason, I feel a sense of nostalgia (A nostalgic feeling is registered).

Analysis: Here, 感じ (kanji – feeling/sense) is the sensory noun. The feeling of nostalgia is not something the speaker intentionally created; it’s an impression that spontaneously arose upon arriving at the location. This demonstrates how 〜がする can be used for abstract, internal perceptions as well as concrete external ones.

Advanced Usage: This usage is very close to expressing intuition or a hunch. For example, 何か問題が起こりそうな気がする (nanika mondai ga okorisou na ki ga suru) means, “I have a feeling that some kind of problem is about to happen.” While 気 (ki) is used here, the core structure expressing the involuntary sense remains intact.

Common Pitfalls and Essential Distinctions to Avoid JLPT Errors

Because する has so many meanings, learners often misuse 〜がする by confusing it with intentional verbs or by applying it too broadly. Mastering these distinctions is vital for the JLPT.

Pitfall 1: Confusing Intransitive Perception with Transitive Action

Remember that 〜がする is about something happening to you (or near you), not something you are doing. The biggest mistake is using it when an intentional action verb is required.

Situation	Incorrect (Intention implied)	Correct (Intention)	Correct (Involuntary Perception)
Listening to music	❌ 音楽の音がします。	✅ 音楽を聞きます (kikimasu).	✅ どこからか音楽の音がする。
Tasting wine	❌ ワインの味がします。	✅ ワインを味わいます (ajiwaimasu).	✅ このワインは変な味がする。

Key Takeaway: If you are the active agent focusing on the input, use the transitive verb (e.g., 聞く, 嗅ぐ, 味わう). If the input arrives without your focused effort, use the intransitive form (e.g., 聞こえる, 匂いがする, 味がする).

Pitfall 2: Misusing the Subject Particle (Focus on the Sensation)

In English, we say “I smell something strange.” Because the subject is “I,” learners sometimes try to make “I” the subject of the Japanese sentence, which often leads to awkward or incorrect constructions.

Incorrect: 私は変な匂いがします。 (Watashi wa hen na nioi ga shimasu.)

Correct: 変な匂いがします。 (Hen na nioi ga shimasu.)

Better (Focusing on location): この部屋は変な匂いがします。 (Kono heya wa hen na nioi ga shimasu.)

When using 〜がする, the primary subject is the sensory noun (匂い, 音, etc.), marked by が. The observer (you) is usually omitted or marked by the topic particle は (wa) if you need to establish who is perceiving it (e.g., 私には変な匂いがする – Watashi ni wa hen na nioi ga suru – To me, a strange smell registers). However, in most natural Japanese conversations, simply stating the phenomenon (匂いがする) is sufficient, as the context makes the observer clear.

Pitfall 3: Overextending to Visual Perception

As noted earlier, resist the urge to use 〜がする for visual input.

Incorrect: 遠くから光がします。 (Tooku kara hikari ga shimasu.)

Correct: 遠くから光が見えます。 (Tooku kara hikari ga miemasu. – Light is visible from afar.)

Also Correct: 遠くで光が光っています。 (Tooku de hikari ga hikatte imasu. – Light is shining afar.)

Japanese maintains a strict division: sight and audibility use dedicated potential/intransitive verbs (見える/聞こえる), while smell, taste, and generalized sensation rely heavily on 〜がする.

Advanced Nuances: Distinguishing Ga Suru from Other Sensory Verbs

To truly master 〜がする for the higher JLPT levels (N2), you need to be able to compare it accurately with similar expressions.

Ga Suru vs. 〜と感じる (To Kan Jiru)

Both express perception, but their focus is different:

〜がする: Focuses on the objective occurrence or existence of the sensation itself. It is a direct, immediate registration of sensory data (smell, sound).

〜と感じる: Focuses on the subject’s subjective interpretation or feeling based on that sensory data. It often involves more complex emotional or intellectual interpretation.

Expression	Meaning
焦げた匂いがする。	A burnt smell is perceived. (Objective fact of the smell)
危険だと感じた。	I felt it was dangerous. (Subjective judgment/intuition)
彼は私を避けているように感じる。	I feel like he is avoiding me. (Subjective impression)

While you can say 懐かしい感じがする (natsukashii kanji ga suru), which registers the feeling, if you were to express a deeper emotional reaction, you might shift to 感じる.

Ga Suru and Idiomatic Expressions

The flexibility of 〜がする allows it to combine with various nouns to create powerful, idiomatic expressions often tested on the JLPT:

• 気がする (Ki ga suru): This is an extremely common phrase meaning “to have a hunch,” “to feel like,” or “to suspect.” It expresses a strong, subconscious feeling or prediction.例: 雨が降る気がする。 (Ame ga furu ki ga suru. – I have a feeling it’s going to rain.)
• 寒気がする (Samuke ga suru): Literally, “cold air is registered.” Used to express feeling chills, often a sign of illness.
• 吐き気がする (Hakike ga suru): “Nausea is registered.” Used to express feeling sick or wanting to vomit.

These idioms demonstrate that the “sensation” conveyed by 〜がする can be entirely internal and physical, not just environmental.

Bringing It All Together: Your JLPT Strategy

Mastering 〜がする is more than just memorizing a structure; it’s about shifting your mindset to think like a Japanese speaker, distinguishing between intentional action and involuntary perception.

Here are your key strategies for the JLPT:

1. Identify the Subject: In a sentence using 〜がする, the subject is always the sensation itself (匂い, 音, etc.), not the person.
2. Check the Sense: If the question involves sound (音) or smell (匂い), or a physical ailment (寒気, 吐き気), 〜がする is highly likely to be the correct answer, assuming the perception is spontaneous.
3. Eliminate Intentional Verbs: If the speaker is actively trying to listen or taste, eliminate 〜がする and look for transitive verbs (e.g., 嗅ぐ, 聞く).

By treating the verb する in this context as “to register” or “to be perceived,” you will unlock a fundamental aspect of Japanese sensory expression.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Nuance

The journey toward fluency is paved with nuanced grammatical differences like the one between action and perception. The grammar point 〜がする may seem minor at first glance, but it is deeply woven into the fabric of daily Japanese conversation.

When you hear a strange sound in the distance, or you catch a whiff of delicious food, practice saying the phrase out loud: 「いい匂いがする！」 or 「変な音がした！」 The more you internalize that these sensations simply happen to you, the more naturally you will be able to apply 〜がする.

Keep up the hard work in your JLPT preparation. You’ve successfully demystified this crucial sensory expression, and you are now one step closer to communicating your world fully and accurately in Japanese. Good luck!

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