Learning how to express the concept of “become” in Japanese is fundamental for any student of the language. Whether you aim to communicate informally or formally, this guide will explore various ways to convey this idea, providing you with numerous tips, examples, and even regional variations if necessary.
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Formal Ways to Say “Become”
If you want to express the notion of “become” in a formal or polite manner, the most common verb you can employ is:
1. なります (Narimasu)
The verb “なります” is the polite form of the verb “なる” (naru), which translates to “to become” in English. It is important to note that “なります” is used when referring to yourself or someone in a respectful way. Let’s look at some examples:
- 私は医者になります。(Watashi wa isha ni narimasu.) – I will become a doctor.
- 祖父は来年で７０歳になります。(Sofu wa rainen de nanajussai ni narimasu.) – My grandfather will turn 70 next year.
2. 成ります (Narimasu)
If you are expressing a more formal or written style, the verb “なります” can also be written in Kanji as “成ります” without altering its meaning. The examples provided for “なります” can also be used with “成ります”.
Informal Ways to Say “Become”
When it comes to informal situations, the Japanese language offers a variety of expressions to convey the concept of “become”. Here are a few commonly used options:
1. なる (Naru)
“なる” is the plain form of “なります” and is used in casual and ordinary conversations. Here are some examples:
- 魚がおいしいと思ったら、料理人になりたいと思いました。(Sakana ga oishii to omottara, ryōrinin ni naritai to omoimashita.) – When I thought fish was delicious, I wanted to become a chef.
- 彼は将来有名な作家になるでしょう。(Kare wa shourai yuumei na sakka ni narudeshou.) – He will probably become a famous writer in the future.
2. なっちゃう (Nacchau)
“なっちゃう” is an informal and colloquial contraction of “なってしまう” (natte shimau), which refers to something becoming unexpectedly or involuntarily. Examples of its usage can be found below:
- お腹が空いたから、つい食べてしまって、太っちゃった。(Onaka ga suita kara, tsui tabete shimatte, futocchatta.) – Because I was hungry, I unintentionally ate too much and gained weight.
- 傘を忘れてしまったから、雨が降ってきちゃった。(Kasa o wasurete shimatta kara, ame ga futte kichatta.) – Because I forgot my umbrella, it started raining.
Regional Variations
While the above expressions are widely used across Japan, it’s worth noting that there may be some regional variations in the way people say “become”. Here are a couple of examples:
Tohoku Dialect:
にゃっぺる (Nyapperu) – This expression is commonly used in the Tohoku region to mean “become”.
Kansai Dialect:
なりゃす (Naryasu) – The people in the Kansai region, including Osaka and Kyoto, sometimes use this variation to mean “become”.
Conclusion
Learning how to express “become” in Japanese is a crucial step in your language journey. Whether you need to convey this concept formally or informally, you now have a solid understanding of the various expressions you can use. Remember to practice using these phrases in different contexts and pay attention to regional variations if you come across them. Keep up the great work and have fun exploring the Japanese language!
