〜ことになった~koto ni natta
Koto ni natta (〜ことになった) means “it has been decided”.
It has been decided that I will participate in the community exchange meeting next week.
Use 〜ことになった to report a decision or arrangement that is already settled, without stressing who made it.
In the course
How it works
Look at the picture: after talking with the organizer, the reception role is settled. Use this pattern to report a confirmed arrangement.
It means something has already been decided or arranged. The focus is on the outcome, without emphasizing who decided.
For a decision to do something, use the verb’s dictionary form before it, as in 「参加することになった」.
For a decision not to do something, use the verb’s ない-form before it, as in 「参加しないことになった」.
To report an arrangement politely, change 「ことになった」 to 「ことになりました」.
The example says “next week” but uses a past form: the arrangement is already settled, while participation is still next week.
The reception role was settled after discussion. Here, the speaker reports the outcome of that discussion without emphasizing personal wishes.
Example sentences
- 来週、raishuu、地域chiiki交流kouryuu会kaiにni参加sankaするsuruことkotoにniなりました。narimashita。
It has been decided that I will participate in the community exchange meeting next week.
In a conversation
- 来週のボランティア活動ですが、役割分担は決まりましたか。
Regarding next week's volunteer activity, has the division of roles been decided?
- はい、私
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
At the upcoming intergenerational exchange event, I will serve as the facilitator for traditional games.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
来週、地域交流会に参加____（丁寧な形）。
It has been decided that I will join the community exchange meeting next week.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ことになったit has been decided