JLPT Guide / N4 Grammar

JLPT N4 Grammar Examples: 〜てみる, 〜ようにする, and 〜ようになる

At the JLPT N4 level, grammar patterns help you talk about actions, habits, and changes in everyday Japanese. In this guide, you will learn how to use 〜てみる, 〜ようにする, and 〜ようになる to talk about trying something, making an effort, and becoming able to do something.

Written by Chiho Kamioka
Updated: 2026-06-21
JLPT N4 grammar examples with te miru you ni suru and you ni naru

How to Choose the Right JLPT N4 Grammar Pattern

As you continue studying JLPT N4 grammar, you will start to see patterns that look or feel similar. You may wonder how one pattern is different from another, or how to choose the right expression for the right situation.

In this guide, we will look at three useful N4 grammar patterns for talking about change and progress: 〜てみる, 〜ようにする, and 〜ようになる. We will use travel situations to see how each pattern is used naturally.

〜てみる Meaning and Examples

〜てみる (te miru) is a useful JLPT N4 grammar pattern. It means “try doing something” or “do something to see what it is like.” For example, you can use it when you try a local food, visit a new place, or use something new.

Form: Verb て-form + みる
Example: 食べる → 食べてみる / 歩く → 歩いてみる 

Basic Sentence

沖縄おきなわそばを食たべます。

I eat Okinawa soba.

Natural N4 Sentence

沖縄おきなわそばを食たべてみます。

I will try Okinawa soba.

Notice: The basic sentence simply says what you do. With 〜てみる, you show that you are trying something to see what it is like.

Conversation Example 1

A: 今日きょうのお昼ひるは何なにを食たべますか。

B: 沖縄おきなわそばを食たべてみます。

A: いいですね。駅えきの近ちかくにおいしい店みせがありますよ。

A: What will you eat for lunch today?
B: I will try Okinawa soba.
A: That sounds good. There is a good restaurant near the station.

Conversation Example 2

A: 午後ごごはどこへ行いきますか。

B: 時間じかんがあるので、古ふるい町まちを歩あるいてみます。

A: いいですね。小ちいさいお店みせもたくさんありますよ。

A: Where will you go in the afternoon?
B: I have time, so I will try walking around the old town.
A: That sounds nice. There are many small shops, too.

〜ようにする Meaning and Examples

〜ようにする (yō ni suru / you ni suru) is a JLPT N4 grammar pattern used when you try to do something regularly or make an effort to do something. You can use it when you talk about habits or things you try to be careful about.

Form: Verb dictionary form + ようにする
Example: 行く → 行くようにする  / 話す → 話すようにする

Basic Sentence

空港くうこうへ早はやく行いきます。

I go to the airport early.

Natural N4 Sentence

空港くうこうへ早はやく行いくようにしています。

I try to go to the airport early.

Notice: The basic sentence only says what you do. With 〜ようにする, you show that you make an effort to do it or try to keep it as a habit.

Conversation Example 1

A: 旅行りょこうをする時とき、何なにに気きをつけていますか。

B: 空港くうこうへ早はやく行いくようにしています。

A: それはいいですね。

A: What are you careful about when you travel?
B: I try to go to the airport early.
A: That is good.

Conversation Example 2

A: Bさんは、日本語にほんごが上手じょうずですね。

B: ありがとうございます。日本にほんに行いく時ときは、日本語にほんごをたくさん話はなすようにしています。

A: そうなんですね。すごいですね。

A: Your Japanese is good.
B: Thank you. When I go to Japan, I try to speak a lot of Japanese.
A: I see. That is great.

〜ようになる Meaning and Examples

〜ようになる (yō ni naru / you ni naru) is a JLPT N4 grammar pattern used when something changes and becomes possible. It is useful when you talk about something you can do now that you could not do before.

Form: Verb potential form + ようになる
Example: 読める → 読めるようになる / 歩ける → 歩けるようになる

Basic Sentence

日本語にほんごでメニューが読よめます。

I can read the menu in Japanese.

Natural N4 Sentence

日本語にほんごでメニューが少すこし読よめるようになりました。

I have become able to read a little of the menu in Japanese.

Notice: The basic sentence describes ability. With 〜ようになる, you show a change in ability over time.

Conversation Example 1

A: 日本語にほんごでメニューは読よめますか。

B: はい。日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしているので、今いまは少すこし読よめるようになりました。

A: すごいですね。

A: Can you read the menu in Japanese?
B: Yes. Because I am studying Japanese, I have become able to read a little of the menu in Japanese.
A: That is great.

Conversation Example 2

A: 今日きょうはたくさん歩あるきましたね。

B: はい。前まえはあまり歩あるけませんでしたが、今いまは長ながい時間じかん歩あるけるようになりました。

A: いいですね。

A: You walked a lot today.
B: Yes. I could not walk very much before, but now I have become able to walk for a long time.
A: That is good.

Quick Summary: 〜てみる, 〜ようにする, and 〜ようになる

Here is a quick review of the three N4 grammar patterns introduced in this guide.

〜てみる is used when you try something to see what it is like.

〜ようにする is used when you make an effort to do something.

〜ようになる is used when something changes and becomes possible.

Simple idea: Use 〜てみる when you try something, 〜ようにする when you make an effort, and 〜ようになる when you talk about progress or change.

Practice N4 Grammar with Japonin Teachers

At Japonin, students study 127 JLPT N4 grammar patterns step by step. Many N4 patterns help learners talk about everyday actions, plans, habits, experiences, and changes in ability.

This guide helps you understand the meaning of each grammar pattern. In live lessons, you can go one step further and practice using these patterns in your own sentences and conversations with teacher feedback.

If you would like to study N4 grammar in a structured way, Japonin’s JLPT N4 online Japanese lessons can help you review important N4 patterns and practice using them in real situations.

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JLPT N4 Grammar FAQ

What does 〜てみる (te miru) mean in Japanese?

〜てみる means “try doing something” or “do something to see what it is like.” It is useful when you try a local food, visit a new place, or use something new.

Is 〜てみる JLPT N4 grammar?

Yes. 〜てみる is commonly studied as a JLPT N4 grammar pattern. It uses the verb て-form plus みる.

What does 〜ようにする (you ni suru) mean?

〜ようにする means that you try to do something or make an effort to do it. For example, 空港へ早く行くようにしています means “I try to go to the airport early.”

What does 〜ようになる (you ni naru) mean?

〜ようになる means that something changes and becomes possible. For example, メニューが少し読めるようになりました means “I have become able to read the menu a little.”

What is the difference between 〜ようにする and 〜ようになる?

〜ようにする shows effort or a habit, such as trying to go to the airport early. 〜ようになる shows a change, such as becoming able to read a menu in Japanese or walk for a long time.

How can I practice JLPT N4 grammar in conversation?

It is helpful to practice N4 grammar in short conversations about everyday situations, travel, habits, and what you can do now. In Japonin lessons, teachers can help you make your own sentences and use N4 grammar more naturally.

Since 2006, Japonin has helped over 6,000 learners worldwide study Japanese online with support from our experienced Japanese language teachers.

Chiho Kamioka, Founder of Japonin

Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder of Japonin JLPT Guide Editor

This guide is for learners who want to understand how similar JLPT N4 grammar patterns are used in different situations. Through natural examples and short travel conversations, it helps learners see when to use 〜てみる, 〜ようにする, and 〜ようになる.

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