If you have ever set a New Year’s resolution, tried to build a healthy routine, or promised yourself that you would study Japanese for 30 minutes every single day, you already understand the core concept behind ～ようにする (you ni suru).
In Japanese grammar, learning how to express intention is straightforward. You probably already know the volitional form (e.g., 勉強しよう – Let’s study / I will study). However, real life isn’t just about raw intention—it’s about setting a deliberate goal, modifying behavior, and making a continuous effort to bring about a specific outcome
That is precisely where ～ようにする (you ni suru) comes in. Translated roughly as “to try to,” “to make an effort to,” or “to make sure to,” this Japanese grammar point is essential for intermediate learners aiming to pass the JLPT N4 and speak natural, polite Japanese.
In this deep-dive guide, we will break down everything you need to know about ～ようにする: its formation, key nuances, daily life applications, JLPT test traps, and how it differs from similar structures like ～ことにする (koto ni suru).
What Does ～ようにする Mean?
At its core, ～ようにする (you ni suru) combines two distinct components:
- ～ように (you ni): “So that,” “in such a way that,” or “in order to.”
- する (suru): The verb “to do.”
When put together, you are literally saying: “I do [an action] in such a way that [target state] happens.”
In natural English, we render this as:
- “I make it a point to…”
- “I try to…”
- “I make sure to…”
- “I endeavor to…”
Unlike simply using a verb in its future form, using ～ようにする highlights your personal agency and conscious effort. It tells the listener that you are actively managing your behavior to reach a desired state or maintain a habit.
How to Conjugate and Form ～ようにする
Forming ～ようにする is simple because it attaches directly to the dictionary form (plain present affirmative) or the ない-form (plain negative) of verbs.
Grammar Pattern:
Verb (Dictionary Form) + ようにする
(To make an effort to DO something)
Verb (ない-Form) + ようにする
(To make an effort NOT to do something)
Let’s look at a few base examples to see how this works in practice:
| English Base Meaning | Plain Verb Form | Conjugated with ようにする | English Meaning with ようにする |
| To eat vegetables | 野菜を食べる (yasai o taberu) | 野菜を食べるようにする | I will try to eat vegetables. |
| Not to stay up late | 夜更かししない (yofukashi shinai) | 夜更かししないようにする | I will make sure not to stay up late. |
| To drink water | 水を飲む (mizu o nomu) | 水を飲むようにする | I will make an effort to drink water. |
| Not to forget keys | 鍵を忘れない (kagi o wasurenai) | 鍵を忘れないようにする | I will be careful not to forget my keys. |
Key Nuances & Tense Variations
To speak like a native speaker, you need to understand how subtle shifts in tense and phrasing change the meaning of this structure.
1. ～ようにする (Future Commitment / One-time Resolution)
When used in the plain or polite present form (ようにする / ようにします), it represents a decision or commitment to start making an effort from now on.
- 毎日、７時に起きるようにします。Mainichi, shichiji ni okiru you ni shimasu.“I will try to wake up at 7:00 every day from now on.”
2. ～ようにしている (Ongoing Habit / Active Routine)
When changed to the ～ている continuous form (ようにしている / ようにしています), the meaning shifts from a future goal to an established, ongoing routine or daily rule you impose on yourself.
- 寝る前にスマホを見ないようにしています。Neru mae ni sumaho o minai you ni shite imasu.“I make it a point not to look at my smartphone before going to sleep.”
This form is extremely common when discussing healthy lifestyle habits, work ethics, or daily discipline during job interviews or casual conversations.
3. ～ようにしてください (Polite Request / Soft Instruction)
When combined with ～てください, it forms a polite directive or request. It sounds softer and more considerate than a direct command because it asks the other person to “make an effort” rather than directly ordering them.
- 静かにするようにしてください。Shizuka ni suru you ni shite kudasai.“Please try to stay quiet.” (Softer than 静かにしてください)
- 次回は遅刻しないようにしてください。Jikai wa chikoku shinai you ni shite kudasai.“Please make sure not to be late next time.”
～ようにする vs. Similar Japanese Grammar Points
Japanese grammar has several expressions that sound similar to Western learners. Mastering the differences between them is what separates beginners from fluent speakers.
1. ～ようにする vs. ～ことにする
Both structures can translate roughly to decisions or intentions, but their underlying focus is entirely different:
- ～ことにする (koto ni suru): Focuses on a decision or concrete choice made by the speaker.
- ～ようにする (you ni suru): Focuses on the effort, process, or habit-building to achieve a state.
Example Comparison:
- 来月からジムに行くことにした。Raigetsu kara jimu ni iku koto ni shita.“I decided to go to the gym starting next month.” (Decision made).
- 来月からジムに行くようにする。Raigetsu kara jimu ni iku you ni suru.“I will make an effort to go to the gym starting next month.” (Focus on trying/effort).
2. ～ようにする vs. ～ように努力する
While 努力する (doryoku suru) explicitly means “to make a great effort” or “to strive,” it can sound overly formal, heavy, or dramatic in casual conversation. ～ようにする is much more natural for everyday resolutions like drinking more water, sleeping early, or saving money.
3. ～ようにする vs. ～ようとする
This is a classic trap on the JLPT exam!
- Volitional + とする (e.g., 食べようとする): Means “to be about to do something” or “to attempt something at that immediate moment” (often failing or being interrupted).
- お風呂に入ろうとした時、電話が鳴った。 (Just as I was about to enter the bath, the phone rang.)
- Verb Dictionary + ようにする: Means making a conscious, ongoing effort or establishing a behavioral rule over time.
For an extensive breakdown of JLPT test structures, vocabulary lists, and grammar rules across all proficiency levels, check out the comprehensive resources at JLPT Sensei.
Practical Applications & Example Sentences
Let’s look at real-world scenarios where native Japanese speakers use ～ようにする in everyday communication.
Scenario A: Health and Wellness Habits
- 健康のために、毎日野菜をたくさん食べるようにしています。Kenkou no tame ni, mainichi yasai o takusan taberu you ni shite imasu.“For my health, I make it a habit to eat plenty of vegetables every day.”
- 甘いものを控えめにするようにします。Amai mono o hikaeme ni suru you ni shimasu.“I will try to cut back on sweets.”
Scenario B: Professional and Academic Settings
- 誤解を避けるため、大事なことはメールで確認するようにしてください。Gokai o sakeru tame, daiji na koto wa meeru de kakunin suru you ni shite kudasai.“To avoid misunderstandings, please make sure to confirm important matters via email.”
- 解らない単語があったら、すぐに辞書で調べるようにしています。Wakaranai tango ga attara, sugu ni jisho de shiraberu you ni shite imasu.“When there are words I don’t understand, I make it a point to look them up immediately in a dictionary.”
Scenario C: Cultural Etiquette and Interpersonal Relationships
- 相手の目を見て話すように心がけています。Aite no me o mite hanasu you ni kokorogakete imasu.“I try to make sure I look the other person in the eye when speaking.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even advanced learners occasionally slip up when using ～ようにする. Here are three major mistakes to watch out for:
- Using Volitional Form instead of Dictionary Form:Incorrect: 〇〇 勉強しようようにするCorrect: 勉強するようにする
- Using It with Involuntary Verbs:Because ～ようにする implies conscious choice and action by the speaker, you generally use it with volitional/controllable actions (e.g., study, eat, wake up, call). Do not pair it with non-volitional verbs like 雨が降る (ama ga furu – rain falls) or 分かる (wakaru – understand).(Note: To express enabling a state that is outside your direct physical control, learners typically use ～ように化する or ～ようになる).
- Confusing ようにする with ようになる:
- ～ようにする (you ni suru): Active effort by you (“I make an effort to…”).
- ～ようになる (you ni naru): Change in state/ability (“It has reached the point where…” or “I became able to…”).
To dive deeper into standard grammar definitions, conjugations, and official language usage guidelines, you can reference the grammar resources hosted by the Maggie Sensei Japanese Learning Portal.
Practical Study Tips for Mastering JLPT N4 Grammar
If you are preparing for the JLPT N4, ～ようにする is one of those grammar points that will almost certainly show up in the reading, grammar, or listening sections.
Here is an actionable strategy to master it:
- Create 3 Personal Resolutions: Write down three genuine goals or rules you want to follow in your real life using ～ようにしている. (e.g., “I try to study Kanji for 15 minutes before bed.”)
- Listen for Softer Commands in Anime and Drama: Pay attention to workplace or school settings in Japanese media. Whenever a boss or teacher asks someone to do something gently, notice if they use ～ようにしてください.
- Practice Dictation: Convert direct imperative sentences into soft resolutions. Practice changing 早く寝ろ (Hayaku nero! – Sleep early!) into 早く寝るようにします (Hayaku neru you ni shimasu – I’ll make sure to sleep early).
Summary Checklist
To wrap things up, keep this quick reference guide in mind:
- Meaning: Make an effort to / make sure to / make it a habit to.
- Form:
Verb (Dictionary) + ようにするORVerb (ない-Form) + ようにする. - Present Form (ようにする): Decision to try starting now.
- Continuous Form (ようにしている): Current habit or ongoing rule.
- Polite Request Form (ようにしてください): Gentle directive asking someone to try doing something.
