Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Why nominalization matters
Japanese often turns a whole clause into something that acts like a noun. This allows writers to treat actions, ideas, and facts as topics, subjects, or objects. At N3, this appears frequently in explanations and opinions.
Target signal
日本語を続けることが大切だ。
Continuing Japanese is important.
こと turns the whole action into a noun-like subject.
Vocabulary notes
- 続ける
- to continue doing
- 日本語
- Japanese language
- 続ける
- to continue; to keep doing
Compare in context
彼が来ないのは珍しい。
It is unusual that he is not coming.
の packages the whole clause as the topic being judged.
Vocabulary notes
- 珍しい
- rare; unusual
- ない
- not; there is not
- が
- subject marker
Section 2 of 3
の, こと, and ということ
の often sounds more immediate or concrete, especially in conversation. こと often sounds more general or abstract. ということ can package a fact, conclusion, or reported content into one unit.
Target signal
音楽を聞くのが好きだ。
I like listening to music.
の is common with likes, dislikes, and direct experience.
Vocabulary notes
- 好き
- liked; favorite
- 聞く
- to hear; to listen; to ask
- 音楽
- music
Preview
早寝早起きは健康にいいことだ。
Going to bed early and getting up early is good for your health.
こと makes the statement sound more general or abstract.
Vocabulary notes
- いい
- good; nice; okay
- こと
- thing; matter; fact
- 健康
- health; healthy condition
Preview
彼が辞めるということは、本当ですか。
Is it true that he is quitting?
ということ packages a whole proposition as information.
Vocabulary notes
- という
- called; that is to say; named
- という
- called; that ...; saying that ...
- 辞める
- to quit; to resign
Section 3 of 3
Reading focus
When a sentence feels abstract, look for the chunk ending in の, こと, or ということ and treat it as one block. Then ask what the rest of the sentence says about that block: is it important, surprising, possible, or true?
Target signal
日本で働くことには、言葉以外の難しさもある。
Working in Japan has difficulties besides language.
Nominalization lets the writer discuss the activity itself as a topic.
Vocabulary notes
- ことに
- into the situation that; in the arrangement that
- ある
- there is not; do not have
- ある
- to exist; to have
Preview
この数字が増えているということは、利用者が増えたということだ。
The fact that this number is increasing means that the number of users has increased.
The second ということ explains what the first fact implies.
Vocabulary notes
- ということだ
- I hear that; it means that
- ている
- to be doing; to be in a resulting state
- という
- called; that is to say; named