Modifying Nouns with Verbs
In Japanese, you can use verbs and sentences to describe nouns, similar to "the book I bought" or "the person who came". The modifying clause comes before the noun and uses plain form.
Pattern
[Plain form verb/clause] + Noun
The [noun] that [verb/clause]
Simple Verb Modification
Examples
これは私が買った本です。
Kore wa watashi ga katta hon desu.
This is the book (that) I bought.
昨日来た人は田中さんです。
Kinou kita hito wa Tanaka-san desu.
The person who came yesterday is Tanaka.
日本で撮った写真を見せてください。
Nihon de totta shashin o misete kudasai.
Please show me the photos (that) you took in Japan.
Note
Unlike English, Japanese doesn't need relative pronouns like "who", "that", or "which". The modifying clause simply comes before the noun.
Longer Modifying Clauses
Examples
昨日駅で会った友達は大学生です。
Kinou eki de atta tomodachi wa daigakusei desu.
The friend (that) I met at the station yesterday is a university student.
母が作った料理はとてもおいしいです。
Haha ga tsukutta ryouri wa totemo oishii desu.
The food (that) my mother made is very delicious.
私が住んでいる町は静かです。
Watashi ga sundeiru machi wa shizuka desu.
The town (where) I live is quiet.
Present vs Past in Modifiers
| Type | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 日本語を勉強している人 | A person who is studying Japanese |
| Past | 日本語を勉強した人 | A person who studied Japanese |
| Negative | 日本語を勉強しない人 | A person who doesn't study Japanese |
Common Patterns
Describing Objects
窓から見える山は富士山です。
Mado kara mieru yama wa Fuji-san desu.
The mountain visible from the window is Mt. Fuji.
Describing People
眼鏡をかけている人が先生です。
Megane o kaketeiru hito ga sensei desu.
The person wearing glasses is the teacher.