Japatan
Formation
- V可能形 + ようになる
- V辞書形 + ようになる
Explanation
This shows a change from before. (1) Ability: with the potential form, something you could not do before, you can do now (oyogeru you ni natta). (2) Habit: with the dictionary form, something you did not do before, you now do (yoku taberu you ni natta). Both suggest a gradual change over time.
Examples
毎日 練習して、百メートル 泳げるように なりました。
After practicing every day, I became able to swim 100 meters.
日本に 住んでから、魚を よく 食べるように なりました。
Since I started living in Japan, I've come to eat fish a lot.
最近、息子は 自分で 部屋を 片付けるように なりました。
Recently my son has started tidying his room by himself.
駅の 近くに スーパーが できて、夜も 買い物が できるように なりました。
A supermarket opened near the station, so now we can shop at night too.
Notes
For a negative change, usually use -naku naru (tabenaku natta) rather than you ni naru. For adjectives and nouns, use -ku naru or ni naru (N5).
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1日本語で 電話が（ ）ように なりました。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 かけられる
'I became able to make phone calls in Japanese.' A new ability is expressed with the potential form kakerareru. Denwa ga kakeru is wrong, and the ta-form and te-form do not go before you ni.
2最近、父は 毎朝 散歩（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 するように なりました
'Recently my father has started taking a walk every morning.' A new habit is dictionary form + you ni narimashita. The other three are incorrect forms.
3前は 辛い 料理が 食べられませんでしたが、今は（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 食べられるように なりました
'Before, I couldn't eat spicy food, but now I've become able to eat it.' Taberareru you ni narimashita shows that change. 1 has the opposite meaning, 2 is not a correct form, and 4 talks about past experience, which does not fit ima wa.
