ようにする means make sure to; try to. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is chosen independently from the source-list gloss so it stays natural, concise, and useful for learners searching for ようにする.
What does ようにする mean?
Use ようにする when you want to express make sure to; try to in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- make sure to; try to
- make sure to
- try to
How to form ようにする
Verb dictionary/negative form + ようにする
Examples of the pattern:
- Verb dictionary/negative form + ようにする
- ようにする
- related form: ようになる
When is ようにする used?
Use ようにする in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation, signs, or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, formal, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday Japanese
ようにする example sentences
- 毎日日本語を聞くようにしています。 — I make sure to listen to Japanese every day.
- 忘れないようにしてください。 — Please make sure you do not forget.
- 早く寝るようにします。 — I will try to go to bed early.
- 漢字を毎日復習するようにしています。 — I make sure to review kanji every day.
- 甘い物を食べすぎないようにしています。 — I try not to eat too many sweets.
Nuance of ようにする
The key nuance is make sure to; try to in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because ようにする can express ability, comparison, intention, appearance, effort, or difficulty depending on the surrounding sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
ようにする vs ようになる
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
ようにする:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on make sure to; try to
ようになる:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, direction, evidence, or sentence focus
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 毎日日本語を聞くようにしています。 — I make sure to listen to Japanese every day.
- Related pattern with ようになる: compare what changes in difficulty, comparison, intention, appearance, or certainty.
Common mistakes with ようにする
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing ようにする with ようになる because the English can sound similar
Is ようにする on the JLPT?
Yes. ようにする is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for ようにする
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn ようにする with Kanjiru
If you want to review ようにする together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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