Meaning
Turns an action or situation into a noun phrase within a sentence.
Formation
- Plain form + こと: 本を読むこと
- This builds 〜ことです, 〜ことができる, 〜ことがある
When to use it
- Core use
- An action turned into a noun
Examples
20 sentences-
私の趣味は本を読むことです
My hobby is reading books.
-
毎日歩くことは体にいいです
Walking every day is good for your health.
-
海で泳ぐことは楽しいです
Swimming in the sea is fun.
-
毎日料理を作ることは大変です
Cooking every day is hard.
-
早く寝ることが大切です
Going to bed early is important.
-
ここで写真を撮ることは禁止されています
Taking pictures here is prohibited.
-
旅行中に知らない人と話すことが好きです
I like talking with new people while traveling.
-
漢字を覚えることは少しずつ楽しくなりました
Learning kanji has gradually become enjoyable.
12 more examples
-
私の夢は世界中を旅行することです
My dream is to travel around the world.
-
朝一番に窓を開けることが習慣です
Opening the window first thing in the morning is my habit.
-
重い荷物を一人で運ぶことは危険です
Carrying heavy luggage alone is dangerous.
-
自分に合う仕事を選ぶことは大切です
Choosing a job that suits you is important.
-
約束の時間に遅れないことが大切です
It is important not to be late for an appointment.
-
宿題を忘れたことを先生に話しました
I told my teacher that I had forgotten my homework.
-
毎日ニュースを見ることは大切です
Watching the news every day is important.
-
山田さんが来月結婚することを知っていますか
Do you know that Mr. Yamada is getting married next month?
-
一人で外国に住むことは大変でした
Living abroad alone was hard.
-
彼が昨日うそをついたことは、みんな知っています
Everyone knows that he lied yesterday.
-
新しい言葉を辞書で調べることは大切です
Looking up new words in a dictionary is important.
-
財布をなくしたことに気がつきませんでした
I didn't notice that I had lost my wallet.
Important notes
- こと turns an action or proposition into a noun-like phrase.
Common mistakes
- The preceding clause uses a plain form: 毎日歩くこと, not 歩きますこと in the basic construction.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
The trainer requires a free account. Examples and practice questions on this page are available without signing up.