Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1
〜ようにしています~you ni shite imasu
make a conscious effort; habit
Use 〜ようにしています for an ongoing conscious effort to build or maintain a habit.
How it works

Look at the three days in the picture: each day, they make a point of eating more vegetables for their health.

Use this pattern when you want to build and maintain a habit, to say you keep making a conscious effort to do it.

Start with a verb in dictionary form, such as 「食べる」「寝る」「する」, then add the ending shown in the picture.

The focus is on keeping it in mind and trying your best; it does not guarantee you reach the goal every time.

In the sleep example, 「七時間は」 means at least seven hours: that is the goal the speaker tries to maintain.
Example sentences
- 毎日mainichi七shichi時間jikanはwa寝るneruようにしyounishiてteいます。imasu。
I make it a point to sleep for seven hours every day.
In a conversation

- Aいつも健康のためにどんなことをしていますか。
A: What kind of things do you usually do for your health?
- B私は、毎日
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
For my health, I try to get some moderate exercise every day.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
毎日七時間は____。
I try to sleep seven hours every day.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ようにしていますmake a conscious effort; habit