Translation guide
The English verb 'become' describes a change of state or condition. Japanese expresses this concept through several different verbs and constructions depending on the type of change, whether it is intentional or natural, and the grammatical role of the subject.
Expressing that something or someone becomes a certain state or condition, often without direct volition.
The most common and versatile verb for 'become'. Used with nouns (に), adjectives (く for i-adjectives, に for na-adjectives), and verbs (ようになる). Indicates a natural or resulting change.
寒くなった。
It became cold.
彼は医者になった。
He became a doctor.
日本語が話せるようになった。
I became able to speak Japanese.
Pattern with noun + に + なる. Used for becoming a specific role, state, or thing.
大人になった。
I became an adult.
Pattern with i-adjective stem + くなる. Used for becoming a certain quality.
部屋が明るくなった。
The room became bright.
Pattern with na-adjective stem + になる. Used for becoming a certain state.
町が静かになった。
The town became quiet.
Expressing that someone makes something become a certain state through effort or action.
Used with nouns (に) or adjectives (く for i-adjectives, に for na-adjectives) to mean 'make something become'. The transitive counterpart of なる.
部屋をきれいにした。
I made the room clean. (I cleaned the room.)
彼をリーダーにした。
I made him the leader.
Pattern with noun + にする. Used for choosing or deciding on something, or making something into a certain state.
コーヒーにします。
I'll have coffee. (lit. I'll make it coffee.)
Expressing reaching a specific age.
Standard expression for turning a certain age.
来月で20歳になります。
I will become 20 years old next month.
Expressing the arrival of a time or season.
Expressing that a total or quantity reaches a certain figure.
Used with numbers to indicate a resulting total.
全部で1000円になります。
That will be 1000 yen in total.
Expressing acquisition of an ability.
Attached to the dictionary form of a verb to indicate becoming able to do that action.
泳げるようになった。
I became able to swim.
Expressing that something has become a regular practice.
Also used with verbs to indicate that a certain action has come to be done habitually.
毎朝ジョギングするようになった。
I've become to jog every morning. (I've taken up jogging every morning.)
Expressing a physical or metaphorical transformation.
Means 'to change' or 'to be transformed'. Often used when the change is more drastic or involves a different form.
蛙が王子に変わった。
The frog turned into a prince.
Means 'to transform' or 'to disguise oneself as', often used for supernatural transformations or disguises.
なる is intransitive (something becomes), while する is transitive (someone makes something become). Use なる for natural changes and する for intentional changes.
ドアが開いた。（自然に）
The door opened (by itself).
ドアを開けた。（誰かが）
Someone opened the door.
Do not always translate 'become' directly. In many cases, Japanese uses a different verb or structure. For example, 'become sick' is 病気になる, but 'become happy' is 嬉しくなる, not 嬉しいになる.
彼女は先生になった。
She became a teacher.
暗くなってきた。
It's becoming dark.
日本語が上手になりたい。
I want to become fluent in Japanese.
The fox transformed into a woman.