Meaning
Shows a change in ability, habit, or condition. It is often translated as 'come to be able to' or 'come to do'.
Formation
- Potential or dictionary form + ようになる: 読めるようになりました
- The negative is usually なくなる: 読まなくなりました
When to use it
- Core use
- Come to be able to do
Examples
20 sentences-
ひらがなが読めるようになりました
I became able to read hiragana.
-
毎朝早く起きるようになりました
I started getting up early every morning.
-
日本語で少し話せるようになりました
I became able to speak a little Japanese.
-
野菜を食べるようになりました
I started eating vegetables.
-
一人で買い物できるようになりました
I became able to shop by myself.
-
最近テレビを見ないようになりました
Recently I have stopped watching TV.
-
毎日このアプリで漢字を練習するようになりました
I started practicing kanji with this app every day.
-
子どもが自分で服を着るようになりました
The child became able to dress by himself.
12 more examples
-
前より速く走れるようになりました
I became able to run faster than before.
-
電車の中で本を読むようになりました
I started reading books on the train.
-
日本語の新聞が読めるようになりました
I have become able to read Japanese newspapers.
-
一人で病院へ行けるようになりました
I have become able to go to the hospital on my own.
-
遠くの字が見えるようになりました
I have become able to see distant letters.
-
みんなに声が聞こえるようになりました
I have become able to be heard by everyone.
-
駅の名前が言えるようになりました
I have become able to say the station name.
-
速く泳げるようになりました
I have become able to swim fast.
-
日本語で注文できるようになりました
I have become able to order in Japanese.
-
朝早く起きられるようになりました
I have become able to get up early.
-
自分で服が作れるようになりました
I have become able to make my own clothes.
-
電車で学校に通えるようになりました
I have become able to commute to school by train.
Important notes
- ようになる describes acquiring an ability or a change in habitual behavior.
Common mistakes
- Use a potential verb for a change in ability: 読めるようになった, not 読むようになった if ability is intended.
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.