Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 3

〜く／〜に＋動詞~ku / ~ni + doushi

describe how an action is done

Put 「〜く／〜に＋動詞」 before a verb to say how an action is done, using the adjective’s form.

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How it works

How should the onion be cut? 「薄く切ります」 means cutting it into thin slices.
When an い-adjective describes an action, its final 「い」 changes to 「く」: 薄い→薄く.
Put the changed form before the verb. 「細く切ります」 means cutting the carrot into thin strips.
Answer 「どう切りますか」 with 「薄く切ります」 to specify how you cut it.
Look at the plate after washing. 「きれいに洗います」 means washing the plate clean.
When a な-adjective modifies a verb, add 「に」 to its stem: きれい→きれいに.
Although 「きれい」 ends in い, it is a な-adjective. Keep the い; do not change it to く.

Example sentences

きれいにkireini洗いますあらいますaraimasu
Wash it clean.
玉ねぎたまねぎtamanegiをo薄くうすくusuku切ります。きりますkirimasu
Slice the onion thinly.

In a conversation

A
玉ねぎたまねぎをどう切りますきりますか。か
A: How do you cut the onion?
B
薄くうすく切ります。きります
B: I slice it thinly.
A
人参にんじんはわ

Check yourself

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Cut the onions thinly.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
玉ねぎを切ります。
Cut the onion thinly.

More grammar in this theme

〜く／〜に＋動詞describe how an action is done

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