Japanese Nouns + する: Can You Add する to Any Noun?
Japanese Nouns + する:
Can You Use する with Any Noun?
「名詞＋する」は便利！
でも、どんな名詞にも使えるの？
Why can some Japanese nouns combine with する, while others cannot?
名詞 + する: A Handy Japanese Pattern!
One useful feature of Japanese is that many nouns can combine with する to form verbs.
For example, once you learn 勉強 (study), you can use 勉強する (to study).
But can you add する to any noun?
Not quite!
Can Every Noun Combine with する?
No! Ordinary nouns naming places or physical objects generally cannot combine directly with する.
Even a noun related to an action doesn’t always work. For example, 走り refers to running, but we normally say 走る, not 走りする.
Actions & Activities
動作・活動を表す言葉
Start here if you’re a beginner!
Many nouns describing actions or activities can combine with する. Think of nouns that have an action inside them.
This is a useful first rule, although it doesn’t work for every noun.
But Wait… する Verbs Aren’t Just About Actions!
If you’re preparing for JLPT N2 or N1, there’s something else worth knowing.
Not all する verbs describe actions. They can also express thinking, changes, states, and relationships.
Let’s explore three more groups!
Thinking, Feelings & Mental Processes
思考・心理活動を表す言葉
These verbs describe thinking, understanding, worrying, or searching for ideas.
Changes & Processes
変化・過程を表す言葉
Some する verbs describe changes over time. Others describe encouraging or causing change.
States & Relationships
状態・関係を表す言葉
These する verbs describe existence, belonging, comparison, or relationships between things.
Quick Quiz: Choose the Right する Verb!
Choose the most natural expression to complete each sentence.
毎朝、学校へ行く前に部屋を（ ）。
I clean my room every morning before going to school.
「部屋を掃除する」is the natural expression for cleaning a room.
来週のイベントについて、先生に（ ）。
I’ll consult my teacher about next week’s event.
「先生に相談する」means to consult a teacher or ask for advice. Notice the particle に.
新しいサービスを始める前に、費用やリスクを十分に（ ）必要があります。
Before launching a new service, we need to carefully consider the costs and risks.
「費用やリスクを検討する」means to examine costs and risks carefully before making a decision.
長時間の労働が続き、社員の疲労が少しずつ（ ）。
As long working hours continued, employee fatigue gradually accumulated.
「疲労が蓄積する」means that fatigue builds up gradually over time.
この新型コンピューターの処理能力は、従来の大型システムに（ ）。
The processing power of this new computer is comparable to that of a conventional large-scale system.
「AはBに匹敵する」means A is comparable to B in ability, quality, or value. Notice the particle に.
Final Thoughts
When you first learn Japanese, action nouns + する is a helpful starting point.
But as your Japanese improves, you’ll discover that する verbs can express much more than actions.
The key is not to add する to every noun. Instead, learn which combinations are natural and how they work in context.
Preparing for JLPT N2 or N1?
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What’s the difference between similar expressions? Which particle should you use? Does your sentence sound natural to a Japanese speaker?
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We’ll focus on the vocabulary, grammar, and subtle differences in meaning that you find difficult—so you can move beyond simply knowing Japanese and start using it with confidence.
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JLPT N2・N1の「わからない」を、一緒に整理していきましょう。
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