Learn Japanese grammar: ことになる (koto ni naru). Meaning: It has been decided that..; it turns out that..
ことになる (koto ni naru) is used used to express something that has been decided or determined by factors outside of one’s own resolve. Though sometimes it can be an indirect way to say something that may indeed be one’s own resolve..
If you want to express something that has been determined by one’s own resolve, you can use the similar grammar point ことにする (koto ni suru) instead.
NOTE, this grammar point often uses the past version of なる (naru) to express that something has already been decided:
- ことになった (koto ni natta)
- ことになりました (koto ni narimashita)

Click the image to download the flashcard.
Download all N4 grammar flashcards.

Download our complete
JLPT N4 Grammar Master E-book.
Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.
ことになる - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
Example #1
入学式は4月1日に行うことになりました。
Example #2
私の母が入院することになった。
Example #3
大阪に転勤することになりました。
Example #4
どうしてそれを学ぶことになったの?
Example #5
両親は離婚ということになった。
Example #6
明日新しい企画についての会議が行われることになっている。
Example #7
日本では車は道路の左側を運転することになっています。
Example #8
A会社では新入社員は朝、掃除することになっている。
Vocabulary List 語彙
Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
---|---|---|
大阪 | おおさか | Osaka |
転勤 | てんきん | work transfer |
入学式 | にゅうがくしき | school entrance ceremony |
行う | おこなう | to hold |
両親 | りょうしん | parents |
離婚 | りこん | divorce |
View all JLPT N4 Vocabulary Lessons

View all JLPT N4 Grammar Lessons

Recommended JLPT N4 Books
Nihongo So-matome: JLPT N4 Grammar
This book covers all of the JLPT N4 Grammar in 6 weeks! (It also includes reading and listening practice)
See price on Amazon
GENKI II: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
This is the best all around book for beginners learning Japanese in English. I used this in my first year studying Japanese. I found it to be far better and easier to use than the many other books I was using. This is the second book in the series and should cover most of what you need to pass JLPT N4.
See price on Amazon
Kanzen Master Jlpt Grammar N4
This book covers all of the grammar that you need to know to pass the JLPT N4, and includes great practice excercises. One down side though, is it's mostly in Japanese, but that will help you in the long run.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N4 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test
This is the official practice test of the JLPT N4. I highly recommend doing at least 1 practice test before taking the real test.
See price on Amazon