What Are Relative Clauses?
Relative clauses in Japanese are subordinate clauses that modify nouns, giving more information about them. Unlike English, where relative clauses are introduced by words like "who," "which," or "that," Japanese places the relative clause directly before the noun without any relative pronoun.
For example, in English: "The book that I read was interesting." In Japanese, the relative clause "I read" comes before "book" without a separate word for "that."
私が読んだ本は面白いです。
Watashi ga yonda hon wa omoshiroi desu.
The book that I read is interesting.
Structure of Relative Clauses
A relative clause in Japanese is simply a plain form verb or adjective phrase placed directly before the noun it modifies. The noun comes immediately after the clause without any connector words.
The general formula is:
| Relative Clause (Verb/Adj in Plain Form) | + Noun |
|---|---|
| [Clause] | [Noun] |
彼が作った料理は美味しいです。
Kare ga tsukutta ryōri wa oishii desu.
The food that he made is delicious.
Using Verbs in Relative Clauses
Verbs in relative clauses are used in their plain form (dictionary, past, negative, etc.) to describe the noun. The tense and polarity of the verb reflect the meaning of the clause and do not affect the main sentence tense.
Examples with different verb forms:
私が書く手紙は長いです。
Watashi ga kaku tegami wa nagai desu.
The letter that I write is long.
彼女が買った車は新しいです。
Kanojo ga katta kuruma wa atarashii desu.
The car that she bought is new.
友達が来ない日もあります。
Tomodachi ga konai hi mo arimasu.
There are days when my friend does not come.
Using Adjectives in Relative Clauses
Adjectives can also be used as relative clauses to modify nouns directly. Both い-adjectives and な-adjectives are placed before the noun without modification.
高いビルが見えます。
Takai biru ga miemasu.
You can see the tall building.
静かな場所が好きです。
Shizuka na basho ga suki desu.
I like quiet places.
Particles in Relative Clauses
Particles like が, を, に, で etc. are used within relative clauses to mark subjects, objects, locations, and other grammatical roles just as in normal sentences.
Note that the particle は is not used inside relative clauses because the clause is subordinate.
私が昨日会った人は先生です。
Watashi ga kinō atta hito wa sensei desu.
The person I met yesterday is a teacher.
図書館で勉強する学生は真面目です。
Toshokan de benkyō suru gakusei wa majime desu.
The students who study at the library are serious.
Common Usage Patterns
Relative clauses are often used to specify or identify a particular noun. They frequently appear in everyday conversation and writing.
- Past tense verb + noun: To describe something that was done.
- Present tense verb + noun: To describe something ongoing or habitual.
- Negative verb + noun: To indicate something not done or absent.
昨日話した話は面白かったです。
Kinō hanashita hanashi wa omoshirokatta desu.
The story I talked about yesterday was interesting.
毎日使う道具を買いました。
Mainichi tsukau dōgu o kaimashita.
I bought the tools I use every day.
彼が知らないことが多いです。
Kare ga shiranai koto ga ōi desu.
There are many things he does not know.
Practice Examples
Try to understand the relative clauses in the following sentences. Identify the clause and the noun it modifies.
私が昨日見た映画は感動的でした。
Watashi ga kinō mita eiga wa kandōteki deshita.
The movie I watched yesterday was moving.
彼女が作るケーキはとても美味しいです。
Kanojo ga tsukuru kēki wa totemo oishii desu.
The cake she makes is very delicious.
新しい先生が来たクラスは楽しいです。
Atarashii sensei ga kita kurasu wa tanoshii desu.
The class where a new teacher came is fun.
毎朝走る人は健康です。
Maiasa hashiru hito wa kenkō desu.
People who run every morning are healthy.
Tips for Remembering Rules
- Remember that Japanese relative clauses always come before the noun they modify, with no relative pronouns needed.
- Use the plain form of verbs and adjectives inside the relative clause, not the polite form.
- Particles inside relative clauses function normally except for は, which is replaced by が or omitted.
- Think of relative clauses as descriptive phrases that "attach" directly to the noun like an adjective.
- Practice by breaking down sentences into the clause and noun to identify how the modification works.