ようになるCome to be able to; reach a new state
ようになる says that a change or process has produced a new situation: an action becomes possible, a verbal state begins to hold, or a previous state ceases.
Focus on the resulting change
The construction presents the new state reached after some process. It does not by itself say that the person deliberately worked toward that result. Words meaning “before,” “after,” or “since,” and clauses describing training, recovery, or changed circumstances often make the contrast especially clear.
Ability, circumstances, and cessation
Notice that each sentence gives a clear earlier condition and a different condition now.
前はできなかったが、練習して日本語を速く入力できるようになりました。
I could not do it before, but after practicing, I became able to type Japanese quickly.
AnalyzeThe potential verb shows an acquired ability.
工事中は使えなかったが、今は反対側の出口も使えるようになった。
It was unavailable during construction, but now the exit on the other side can be used too.
AnalyzeNo skill was acquired here; changed circumstances created a new possibility.
治療前は歩くと膝が痛んだが、今は長く歩いても痛まないようになった。
Before treatment, my knee hurt when I walked, but now it no longer hurts even after a long walk.
AnalyzeThe negative verb marks a state that has ceased.
A new state without deliberate action
壁を低くしたので、部屋から山が見えるようになった。
Because the wall was lowered, the mountains became visible from the room.
AnalyzeThe changed surroundings, not anyone's newly acquired skill, produced the new state.
Result versus deliberate effort
ようになる reports the change that has occurred. By contrast, ようにする makes deliberate effort or a personal policy the main point. Effort may lead to a result, but the two forms describe different parts of that process.
半年練習して、字幕なしでも映画の内容が分かるようになりました。
After practicing for six months, I became able to understand movies even without subtitles.
AnalyzeThis reports the ability that was eventually acquired.
字幕なしで映画を見るようにしています。
I make a point of watching movies without subtitles.
AnalyzeThis neighboring form describes deliberate effort, not an achieved result.
More examples
子どものころは泳げなかったが、今は五百メートル泳げるようになった。
I could not swim as a child, but now I can swim five hundred meters.
Analyze新しい橋が開通して、島まで車で行けるようになりました。
The new bridge opened, making it possible to drive to the island.
Analyze枝を切ったら、窓から夕日が見えるようになった。
After the branches were cut, the sunset became visible from the window.
Analyze説明を聞いて、やっとこの数字の意味が分かるようになった。
After hearing the explanation, I finally came to understand what this number means.
Analyze薬を変えてから、食事のあとも胃が痛まないようになりました。
Since changing medication, my stomach no longer hurts after meals.
Analyze経験を積んで、大勢の前でも緊張しないようになった。
With experience, I reached the point where I no longer get nervous even in front of a large audience.
Analyze