こと
Converting a verb into a noun
Structure
Explanation
Much like のは, the word こと is used in Japanese to nominalize a verb, which means to turn it into a noun-like phrase. However, のは is a combination of particles, whereas こと is a noun itself. To nominalize with こと, simply attach it to the plain form of a verb.
こと, written in kanji as 事, is a noun that often translates to 'thing' or 'matter'. In the context of nominalization, it can be literally understood as 'the act of (A)' or 'the matter of (A)'.
- 他の人の悪口を言うことはよくないですよ。It is not good to speak ill of other people. (The act of 'saying bad things about others')
- 一人で映画を見ることが好きです。I like watching movies by myself. (The act of 'watching movies alone')
- 約束を忘れないことが大切です。It is important not to forget promises. (The act of 'not forgetting promises')
As shown in the examples above, こと can follow the negative form of a verb by using ない. This nominalizes a negative action. While other auxiliary verbs can appear before こと, ない is the one you will see most often.
Although this lesson primarily shows こと being used with the dictionary form of a verb, it is compatible with all plain verb forms. The plain form includes any conjugation that does not end with the polite ます suffix.
Fun Fact
In contrast to もの (another noun for 'thing'), こと is typically used for intangible or abstract things. This includes concepts that can be described but not physically seen, such as experiences, ideas, facts, or events.
Caution
When こと appears at the very end of a short sentence, it often functions as a sentence ending particle that indicates a rule or a command. In this usage, こと is no longer functioning as a noun.
- 1．廊下を走らないこと。1. Do not run in the hallway.
When used as a particle, こと will almost always be written in hiragana, even though it shares its origin with the noun.
Examples
早く起きることは気持ちいい。
Waking up early feels good.
絵を描くことが好き。
I like drawing pictures.
一人で旅行することは面白い。
Traveling alone is interesting.
ここでタバコを吸わないこと。
No smoking here.
エレベーターじゃなくて、階段を使うこと。
Not using the elevator, using the stairs.
一番好きなのは音楽を聴くことです。
My favorite thing is listening to music.
夜中にラーメンを食べることはある？
Do you ever eat ramen in the middle of the night?
みんなの前で歌うことは恥ずかしいです。
Singing in front of everyone is embarrassing.
毎日続けることは簡単なことではありません。
Continuing every day is not an easy thing to do.
約束を破ることは良くないよ。
Breaking a promise isn't good, you know.
図書館で大声で話すことはしないでください。
Please do not speak loudly in the library.
試験に落ちるから、授業をサボらないことが重要です。
Not skipping class is crucial because you will fail the exam (if you do).