Translation guide
A nominalizing suffix turns a verb, adjective, or clause into a noun phrase so it can be used as a subject, object, or topic in Japanese. The most common and versatile nominalizer is の, followed by こと for abstract or general concepts. Choosing between them depends on the main verb, level of formality, and whether the meaning is concrete/experiential or abstract/general.
The learner wants to use a verb or adjective as a noun phrase, e.g., 'I like reading', 'It is difficult to understand', 'I forgot to call'.
Attach の to the plain form of a verb or adjective to create a noun phrase. Used widely in casual and spoken Japanese. Often preferred for concrete, personal, or sensory experiences, and with verbs like 見る, 聞く, 待つ, 手伝う, 止める, etc.
映画を見るのが好きです。
I like watching movies.
彼が来るのを待っています。
I'm waiting for him to come.
料理をするのは楽しい。
Cooking is fun.
Attach こと to the plain form to create a noun phrase. Often used for abstract, general, or conceptual matters, and in fixed expressions like ことができる (can do), ことがある (have done), ことにする (decide to), ことになる (it is decided that). More common in formal/written contexts.
日本語を話すことができます。
I can speak Japanese.
In casual speech, の often contracts to ん, especially in explanatory or question patterns (〜んです, 〜んだ). This is a natural spoken form.
何をしているんですか。
What are you doing?
行くんだ。
I'm going (explanatory).
The learner needs to express ability, experience, decision, or obligation using set patterns.
Standard pattern for 'can do'. Verb plain form + ことができる. More formal than potential form verbs.
漢字を読むことができます。
I can read kanji.
Pattern for 'have done (before)' or 'there are times when'. Verb plain past + ことがある for experience; plain non-past + ことがある for occasional occurrence.
富士山に登ったことがあります。
I have climbed Mt. Fuji.
時々、朝ごはんを食べないことがある。
Sometimes I skip breakfast.
Pattern for 'decide to do'. Verb plain form + ことにする. Indicates a personal decision.
Pattern for 'it is decided/arranged that'. Verb plain form + ことになる. Implies the decision was made by others or circumstances.
来月、大阪に転勤することになりました。
It has been decided that I will transfer to Osaka next month.
The learner wants to know when to use の vs. こと, especially when both seem possible.
When the main verb involves direct perception (見る, 聞く, 感じる), waiting (待つ), helping (手伝う), stopping (止める), or is a concrete action, の is strongly preferred. こと would sound unnatural or overly formal.
鳥が鳴いているのが聞こえる。
I can hear birds singing.
彼が走っているのを見た。
I saw him running.
When the statement is about a general truth, a concept, or involves verbs like 考える (think), 信じる (believe), 理解する (understand), こと is more natural. の can be used but may sound more personal or colloquial.
人間は死ぬことを知っている。
Humans know that they will die.
彼が無実だと信じている。
I believe that he is innocent. (こと can be omitted after と)
With adjectives like 好き, 嫌い, 上手, 下手, both の and こと can be used. の is more common in casual speech; こと is slightly more formal/written.
歌うのが好きです。 / 歌うことが好きです。
I like singing.
The learner wants to turn an adjective into a noun, e.g., 'the beauty', 'being kind'.
Attach の to the plain form of an い-adjective, or なの to a な-adjective, to create a noun phrase meaning 'the ~ one' or 'being ~'. Often used to refer to a specific instance or thing.
大きいのが欲しい。
I want the big one.
静かなのが好きです。
I like quiet ones / quiet places.
Use こと to nominalize an adjective when referring to the abstract quality or state. For な-adjectives, であること is more formal; なこと is also used in casual speech.
健康であることが一番です。
Being healthy is the most important thing.
正直なことが大切だ。
Being honest is important.
の tends to be used for concrete, immediate, or personal experiences, while こと is used for abstract, general, or conceptual matters. With perception verbs (見る, 聞く, 感じる) and verbs like 待つ, 手伝う, 止める, only の is natural. In fixed grammar patterns (ことができる, ことがある, ことにする, ことになる), only こと is used. In many other cases, both are possible with a slight difference in formality or nuance.
彼が来るのを待っている。 (natural)
I'm waiting for him to come.
彼が来ることを待っている。 (unnatural)
I'm waiting for him to come. (incorrect usage)
In informal conversation, overusing こと can sound stiff or bookish. When in doubt, の is safer for everyday spoken Japanese, except in fixed patterns that require こと.
I have lived abroad.
毎日運動することは大切です。
Exercising every day is important.
毎日ジョギングをすることにしました。
I decided to jog every day.