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N4

Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと

About 9 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core idea

の and こと can turn an action or event into a noun-like unit. This lets a whole clause act as the subject, object, or topic of a sentence.

  1. Target signal

    音楽を聞くのが好きです。

    I like listening to music.

    の works naturally with likes and direct experience.

    Vocabulary notes
    です
    to be (polite); is; am; are
    好きすき
    liked; favorite
    聞くきく
    to hear; to listen; to ask

  2. Compare in context

    外国で働くことは大変です。

    Working abroad is difficult.

    こと often sounds more abstract or general.

    Vocabulary notes
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    です
    to be (polite); is; am; are
    働くはたらく
    to work

Section 2 of 3

Common patterns

Some patterns strongly prefer one form. 〜のが好き, 〜のが見える, and 〜のを手伝う are common with の. 〜ことがある, 〜ことにする, and general statements often use こと.

  1. Target signal

    毎日運動することが大切です。

    Exercising every day is important.

    General truths and fixed patterns often prefer こと.

    Vocabulary notes
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    する
    to do
    です
    to be (polite); is; am; are

  2. Preview

    子どもが遊んでいるのが見えます。

    I can see the children playing.

    Perception often takes の.

    Vocabulary notes
    子どもこども
    child; children
    いる
    to exist; to be
    ます
    polite verb ending

Section 3 of 3

Nuance and reading

Very roughly, の often feels more concrete or directly experienced, while こと often feels more abstract or general. However, many expressions are fixed, so natural usage matters most.

  1. Target signal

    日本へ行くことを決めました。

    I decided to go to Japan.

    Decision patterns commonly take こと.

    Vocabulary notes
    こと
    thing; matter; fact
    した
    did
    日本にほん
    Japan

  2. Preview

    ピアノを弾くのは楽しいです。

    Playing the piano is fun.

    Concrete activities often feel natural with の.

    Vocabulary notes
    ピアノ
    piano
    楽しいたのしい
    fun; enjoyable
    です
    to be (polite); is; am; are

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと changes the meaning before you check the translation.

音楽を聞くのが好きです。 外国で働くことは大変です。 毎日運動することが大切です。 子どもが遊んでいるのが見えます。 日本へ行くことを決めました。 ピアノを弾くのは楽しいです。

Show English translation

I like listening to music. Working abroad is difficult. Exercising every day is important. I can see the children playing. I decided to go to Japan. Playing the piano is fun.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

What is the main role of の / こと in this lesson?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと).

音楽を聞くのが好き＿＿＿。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1外国で働くことは大変です。
  2. 2毎日運動することが大切です。
  3. 3音楽を聞くのが好きです。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Turning Verbs into Nouns with の / こと in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/3

What is the main role of の / こと in this lesson?