An adjective is a word like “blue” or “sleepy” that is generally used to describe or modify a noun. Sometimes, though, it’s possible to use a word that usually has some other function to modify a noun as well. For example, the English word “dinner” is a noun, but you can sometimes use it sort of like an adjective, in expressions like “dinner bell” or “dinner table.”
In this post, we’ll introduce you to some ways that you can use nouns, verbs, adverbs, and other kinds of words to modify nouns in Japanese. In particular, we’ll address how to use the ta-form of verbs and how to combine words with the particle の transcribed no.
How to use the ta-form of verbs like adjectives?
You can use the ta-form of some verbs for changes of state to describe a noun that has undergone that change-of-state. Here are some examples:
| Verb (dictionary form) | ta-form + noun |
|---|---|
やせる Transcription: yaseru Translation: to lose weight | やせた犬 Transcription: yaseta inu Translation: skinny dog |
太る Transcription: futoru Translation: to gain weight | 太った熊 Transcription: futotta kuma Translation: fat bear |
とがる Transcription: togaru Translation: to become sharp | とがった鉛筆 Transcription: togatta enpitsu Translation: sharpened pencil |
壊れる Transcription: kowareru Translation: to break; fall apart | 壊れたおもちゃ Transcription: kowareta omocha Translation: broken toy |
Here are some examples of how this looks in a sentence.
How to use the particle の [no] to describe Japanese nouns?
In Japanese, the particle の transcribed no can sometimes follow a word that is not an adjective to create a phrase that does describe a noun. Let’s have a look at when to use の transcribed no after nouns, adverbs, and even some na-adjectives!
Noun + の [no]
You can use a noun + の transcribed no to modify another noun. Just put the noun + の directly before the noun you’re describing. Let’s look at some examples!
| describing noun + の + noun | |
|---|---|
金の指輪 Transcription: kin no yubiwa | gold ring |
カラーの写真 Transcription: karā no shashin | color photo |
病気の人 Transcription: byōki no hito | sick person |
緑の丘 Transcription: midori no oka | green hill |
Here are some examples of what these look like in sentences:
Adverb + の [no]
You can also use an adverb + の transcribed no to create a phrase that acts like an adjective. Here are some examples:
| adverb | adverb + の + noun |
|---|---|
少し Transcription: sukoshi Translation: a little | 少しのパン Transcription: sukoshi no pan Translation: a small amount of bread |
もっぱら Transcription: moppara Translation: mostly | もっぱらのうわさ Transcription: moppara no uwasa Translation: widely-supported rumor |
ふわふわ Transcription: fuwafuwa Translation: fluffily | ふわふわの枕 Transcription: fuwafuwa no makura Translation: fluffy pillow |
くねくね Transcription: kunekune Translation: windingly | くねくねの道 Transcription: kunekune no michi Translation: winding road |
Here are some examples in sentences:
Na-adjectives + の [no]
Some na-adjectives can be combined with の transcribed no before a noun instead of な transcribed na. Though combining them with な transcribed na is still allowed, with these adjectives, you have a choice: な transcribed na or の transcribed no.
| na-adjective + な | na-adjective + の |
|---|---|
✅ 彼は懸命な努力を続けた。 Transcription: Kare wa kenmeina doryoku o tsuzuketa. Translation: He continued his earnest efforts. | ✅ 彼は懸命の努力を続けた。 Transcription: Kare wa kenmei no doryoku o tsuzuketa. Translation: He continued his earnest efforts. |
✅ パーティーに一番上等な服を着て行った。 Transcription: Pātii ni wa ichiban jōtōna fuku o kite itta. Translation: I wore my best clothes to the party. | ✅ パーティーに一番上等の服を着て行った。 Transcription: Pātii ni wa ichiban jōtō no fuku o kite itta. Translation: I wore my best clothes to the party. |
However, not all na-adjectives should be used with の transcribed no. Some are used pretty exclusively with な transcribed na. For example:
| Used with either な or の | |
|---|---|
懸命 transcribed kenmei | earnest, all-out |
緊急 transcribed kinkyū | urgent |
上等 transcribed jōtō | fine, superior |
当然 transcribed tōzen | natural, understandable |
高度 transcribed kōdo | advanced |
無口 transcribed mukuchi | reticent, tight-lipped |
底抜け transcribed sokonuke | bottomless, total |
| Only used with な | |
|---|---|
静か transcribed shizuka | quiet |
好き transcribed suki | to like, favorite |
すてき transcribed suteki | lovely, nice |
嫌 transcribed iya | unpleasant |
有名 transcribed yūmei | famous |
便利 transcribed benri | convenient |
ユニーク transcribed yuniiku | unusual |
Which na-adjectives can take の [no]?
There are, unfortunately, no clear-cut rules to determine which na-adjectives can be used with の transcribed no instead of な transcribed na. Very broadly, you can follow this generalization:
Kango (Chinese-origin) stems can be used with の transcribed no or な transcribed na.
Wago (Japanese-origin) and gairaigo (foreign-origin) stems are generally used with な transcribed na.
However there are many exceptions to this trend. For example:
The kango-based words 有名 transcribed yūmeimeaning famous and 便利 transcribed benrimeaning convenient generally take な.
The wago-based word 底抜け transcribed sokonukemeaning bottomless; total can take either の or な.
Ultimately, whether or not a na-adjective can be used with の transcribed no is just something you’ll have to remember, and even when both are used, one might sound more natural than another to native speakers.
To sum up
In this article, we have explored various types of expressions that modify nouns, like adjectives. Here’s what you should remember:
The ta-form of a change-of-state verb can describe a noun that undergoes that change of state.
A noun + の or adverb + の can describe a noun.
When they come before a noun, some na-adjectives can optionally be followed by の instead of な.
Ready to practice? Check out our Japanese noun-modifier activities to test your skills! Happy learning!
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