Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

成る (なる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

なる

な

る

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 100

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

become; get; turn; grow

usually written using kana alone

Broad intransitive change-of-state: becoming something, reaching a state, or turning into something. Covers physical, emotional, and abstract changes.

彼かれは医い者しゃになった。
He became a doctor.

だんだん寒さむくなってきた。

It's gradually getting colder.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

result in; turn out; end up; prove to be

usually written using kana alone

Focuses on the outcome or conclusion of a process. Often used with ことになる for decisions or arrangements.

会かい議ぎは来らい週しゅう行おこなわれることになった。
It has been decided that the meeting will be held next week.
心しん配ぱいしていたが、結けっ果かは大だい成せい功こうと成なった。
We were worried, but the result turned out to be a great success.

3

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

consist of; be composed of; be made up of

usually written using kana alone

Used in the pattern 〜からなる or 〜よりなる to describe what something is made of or comprises.

この委い員いん会かいは10人にんのメンバーからなる。
This committee consists of ten members.

4

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be completed; be realized; succeed; be accomplished

usually written using kana alone

Describes the completion or realization of a goal, plan, or effort. Often used with nouns like 夢, 計画, 目的.

計けい画かくがようやく成なった。
The plan finally came to fruition.
事じ業ぎょうは苦く労ろうの末すえに成なった。
The business succeeded after much hardship.

5

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

change into; turn into; transform

usually written using kana alone

Emphasizes a transformation into a different form or state. Often used with に.

水みずが氷こおりになった。
The water turned into ice.

6

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

come to do; begin to do; grow to do

usually written using kana alone

Attaches to the -masu stem of verbs to indicate reaching the point of doing something, often gradually or after a change.

日本にほん語ごが話はなせるようになった。
I've come to be able to speak Japanese.

7

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

amount to; add up to; come to

usually written using kana alone

Used with numbers, totals, or sums to indicate the resulting amount.

全ぜん部ぶで千せん円えんになる。
It comes to 1,000 yen in total.

8

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

play the part of; act as

usually written using kana alone

Used for roles in plays, movies, or metaphorical roles. Often with 役.

彼かれはハムレットの役やくになった。
He played the role of Hamlet.

9

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

serve as; be used for; be useful for

usually written using kana alone

Indicates that something functions or is utilized in a certain capacity. Often with に or として.

この部屋へやは会かい議ぎ室しつになっている。
This room serves as a meeting room.

10

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

be promoted (shogi)

shogi

Shogi term: a piece is promoted upon reaching the opponent's camp.

歩ふが成なってと金きんになった。
The pawn promoted and became a tokin.

11

auxiliary verb, godan verb (-ru)

honorific or respectful (sonkeigo)usually written using kana alone

Honorific auxiliary verb pattern: お + masu-stem + になる, or ご + noun + になる. Used to show respect for the subject's action.

先せん生せいはもうお帰かえりになりました。
The teacher has already gone home. (honorific)

Written forms

成なるUsage<1%
Standard kanji form; high priority. Often written in kana in practice.
なるUsage100%
Kana spelling is very common and often preferred in everyday writing.
為なるUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
ナルUsage0%

Kanji

成turn into, become, get
為do, change, make

Similar words

する
Transitive counterpart for many senses; なる is intransitive change, while する is transitive action.
変かわる
Also means 'to change', but focuses on alteration rather than becoming a new state.

Etymology

Native Japanese verb. The historical derivation is uncertain; the kanji 成 is conventionally associated with the meaning 'become'.