Episode 69 - How to make "Verb into Noun phrases" (Dictionary form + koto)

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koto can be used as a nominalizer. When “koto” is placed after a verb or a verb phrase, “koto” can turn that verb/verb phrase into what is essentially a long, multi-word noun.

For example:

本を読みます hon o yomimasu means “[someone] reads/will read books.” But,

本を読む事 hon o yomu koto means “the idea/act of [someone] reading books.”

ことKoto quite simply adds “ING” to the end of a verb.

To Eat becomes Eating

たべます tabemasu

たべること taberukoto

To Walk becomes Walking

あるきます arukimasu

あるくこと arukukoto

To Drink becomes Drinking

のみます nomimasu

のむこと nomukoto

こと（KOTO）turns a verb into a noun.

It is an extremely useful thing to use when describing what actions you like or dislike doing.

うどんをたべることがすきです

UDON WO TABERU KOTO GA SUKI DESU

I like “eating” udon

かれはこうえんをあるくことがすきです

KARE WA KOUEN WO ARUKU KOTO GA SUKI DESU.

He likes “walking” in the Park

わたしのしゅみはりょうりをつくることです。

watashi no shumi wa ryouri o tsukuru koto desu.

My hobby is cooking.

When used to nominalize the preceding clause, the nominalized phrase expresses a fact which is already accomplished or which the speaker supposes will be accomplished. koto tends to be taken as an object by verbs of mental activity such as knowing, recognizing, understanding, hoping, learning, etc.

田中さんがヨーロッパに行ったことを知っていますか？

Tanaka-san san ga youroppa ni itta koto o shitte imasu ka.

Do you know that Mr. Tanaka has gone to Europe?

ラオさんが国にかえったことをしっていますか？

Rao san ga kuni ni kaetta koto o shitteimasu ka?

Do you know that Mr. Rao went back to his country?

あしたテストがあることをききましたか？

ashita tesuto ga aru koto o kikimashita ka?

Did you hear that there is a test tomorrow?

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