ようになる | Grammar

Structure

[verb (dictionary form)] + ようになる [verb (potential)] + ようになる

Description

ようになる says a change has come about: you can now do something you couldn't, or you now do something you didn't. It follows the dictionary form, and with a potential verb it means "become able to".

。

I became able to speak Japanese.

。

I learned to ride a bicycle.

。

I've started jogging every morning.

The change is to a state that carries on – a new ability or a new habit – rather than the moment something starts.

Verbs only

ようになる turns a verb into a change. An adjective or a noun changes with なる on its own, and so does a verb that already means a change.

。

My Japanese got better.

。

I've come to like nature.

× 上手ようになった → 上手になった
× 好きになるようになった → 好きになった

ようになる or ようにする

ようになる is a change that happened, whether through effort or not. ようにする is the effort itself: making a point of doing something.

。

I've started eating vegetables.

。

I make a point of eating vegetables.

No longer: なくなる

For something you no longer do or can no longer do, the ない-form changes to なくなる. ないようになる also exists, but sounds stiff.

。

I don't watch much TV these days.

、。

As I got older, I could no longer eat spicy food.

Examples

。

I became able to read kanji.

。

The child became able to change clothes by themselves.

、。

After coming to Japan, I started eating natto.

、。

As I grew up, I came to understand my parents' feelings.

、。

After practicing, I became able to play the piano.

、。

Recently, I've started waking up early in the morning.

、。

After taking the medicine, I became able to sleep well.

、。

Once I started wearing glasses, I could see the writing on the board.

。

The baby has become able to walk.

、。

Recently I've started talking with him a lot.

、。

Since moving to this town, I've started going for walks a lot.

。

I want to become able to sing this song someday.

References

～ようになる～ようにするimabi.org
ようになるBunpro