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
What na-Adjectives Do
Na-adjectives act like descriptive words, but they need な when they come before a noun. At the end of a sentence, they behave like noun-style predicates with です.
Target signal
この まちは しずかです。
This town is quiet.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- しずか
- quiet
- この
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
きれいな へやです。
It is a clean room.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- きれいな
- clean; pretty (before a noun)
- きれい
- pretty; neat
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
ゆうめいな レストランです。
It is a famous restaurant.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ゆうめいな
- famous (before a noun)
- レストラン
- restaurant
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 2 of 3
Using な Correctly
Before a noun, add な. At the end of a sentence, do not add な. This contrast is one of the most important early differences between i-adjectives and na-adjectives.
Target signal
べんりな アプリです。
It is a convenient app.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- べんりな
- convenient (before a noun)
- アプリ
- app; application
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
この こうえんは にぎやかです。
This park is lively.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- こうえん
- park
- にぎやか
- lively; bustling
- こう
- like this; this way
Preview
あの 人は しんせつです。
That person is kind.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- しんせつ
- kind; helpful
- あの
- that; that over there
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 3 of 3
Reading in Context
Many high-frequency descriptive words are na-adjectives. In simple reading passages, they often describe towns, people, classrooms, shops, and schedules.
Target signal
わたしの クラスは にぎやかで、先生は しんせつです。
My class is lively, and the teacher is kind.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- しんせつ
- kind; helpful
- にぎやか
- lively; bustling
- クラス
- class
Preview
駅の 近くに べんりな スーパーが あります。
There is a convenient supermarket near the station.
Notice how na-Adjectives shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- あります
- there is; there are
- スーパー
- supermarket
- べんりな
- convenient (before a noun)