Adding “の” or “こと” after a Japanese verb can turn an action or event into something that functions like a noun in a sentence. “料理を作る” simply means “to cook,” but once it becomes “料理を作るの” or “料理を作ること,” the entire action can be used before expressions such as “好きだ,” “楽しい,” and “知っている.”

The difficult part is that “の” and “こと” are interchangeable in some sentences but completely impossible to swap in others. Remembering “の” as concrete and “こと” as abstract can be a useful first approximation, but it cannot explain every sentence. Verbs of direct perception such as “見る” and “聞こえる” generally take “の,” while fixed patterns such as “〜ことができる,” “〜ことにする,” and “〜ことになる” require “こと.” It is much more reliable to first check whether the expression that follows requires a particular nominalizer, then consider the difference in nuance.

What Are Japanese Nominalizers “の” and “こと”? Their Basic Function

Both “の” and “こと” can nominalize a verb or clause.

The original expression “本を読む” is a clause meaning “to read a book.” Once it becomes “本を読むの” or “本を読むこと,” the entire phrase can behave like a noun and take particles such as “は,” “が,” and “を.”

For example, in “本を読むのが好きです,” the entire phrase “本を読むの” becomes the object of “好き.” In “本を読むことは大切です,” reading books is treated as a topic and evaluated as something important.

In many situations, both forms are possible. As a general tendency, “の” is more common in everyday conversation and feels closer to a directly experienced activity or event, while “こと” is more likely to appear when discussing general matters, in written explanations, or in fixed grammar patterns. This is a tendency, not a rule saying that every concrete event must use “の.”

• Example: 日本語を勉強することは楽しいです。
  Kana: にほんごをべんきょうすることはたのしいです。
  Translation: Studying Japanese is fun.
  “日本語を勉強すること” becomes the topic of the sentence. “勉強するのは楽しいです” would also be correct, with the latter sounding somewhat more conversational.
• Example: 料理を作るのが好きです。
  Kana: りょうりをつくるのがすきです。
  Translation: I like cooking.
  “料理を作るの” becomes the object of “好き.” When talking about everyday preferences, “〜のが好き” is extremely common.
• Example: 山田さんが会社を辞めたことを知っていますか。
  Kana: やまださんがかいしゃをやめたことをしっていますか。
  Translation: Do you know that Mr. Yamada left the company?
  The sentence deals with the information that Yamada resigned rather than directly observing the resignation itself, so “こと” is natural.

Japanese “の” and “こと” Conjugation Rules: How Do They Follow Plain-Form Verbs?

Nominalizing “の” and “こと” basically follow plain-form verbs. This means not only dictionary forms but also negative and past forms can be nominalized.

Forms such as “行くこと,” “行かないこと,” and “行ったこと,” as well as “行くの,” “行かないの,” and “行ったの,” can all exist grammatically. Whether they are appropriate in a particular sentence depends on what comes afterward.

Structure	Function	Example
Plain-form verb＋の	Nominalizes an action or event	本を読むの
Plain-form verb＋こと	Nominalizes an action, event, or content	本を読むこと
Dictionary-form verb＋ことができる	Be able to do something	日本語を話すことができる
Plain-form verb＋ことにする	Decide to do something	毎日歩くことにする
Plain-form verb＋ことになる	Result, arrangement, or rule	来月帰国することになる
Plain-form verb＋の＋perception verb	Directly see, hear, or perceive an event	鳥が飛ぶのを見る
Plain-form verb＋のを＋手伝う／待つ etc.	Act on an event that is happening or expected to happen	荷物を運ぶのを手伝う

What Is the Difference Between Nominalizing “の” and “〜のです／んです”?

“の” has a nominalizing function, but Japanese also has the explanatory structure “〜のです／〜んです,” which gives background information, reasons, or explanations. They look similar but perform different grammatical functions.

• 料理を作るのが好きです。
  I like cooking.

Here, “の” nominalizes “料理を作る.”

• 料理を作るのです。
  The thing is, I’m going to cook.／Actually, I’m going to cook.

Here, “のです” functions as an explanatory expression. It is not simply turning “料理を作る” into a noun.

For that reason, when introducing your hobby, the standard pattern is:

趣味は料理を作ることです。
My hobby is cooking.

You cannot simply replace “こと” with:

趣味は料理を作るのです。

The latter is likely to be understood as the explanatory “〜のです,” not as a simple definition of your hobby.

Three Common Uses of Japanese Nominalization with “の” and “こと”

When deciding between “の” and “こと,” it helps to follow a consistent order.

First, check whether what follows is a fixed grammatical pattern. If not, ask whether the preceding clause refers to a directly perceived or experienced event, an everyday activity, or information and a general matter.

“こと”｜Fixed Patterns, Decisions, Rules, and Ability

The most important thing to remember about “こと” is its role in fixed grammar patterns.

Structures such as “〜ことができる,” “〜ことにする,” “〜ことになる,” and “〜ことがある” do not allow “こと” to be replaced with “の” simply because “の” may sound more conversational elsewhere.

In these constructions, “こと” has become part of the grammatical pattern itself. Once you recognize what follows, the choice is already determined.

• Example: この図書館では、日本語の本を借りることができます。
  Kana: このとしょかんでは、にほんごのほんをかりることができます。
  Translation: You can borrow Japanese books at this library.
  “〜ことができる” expresses ability or institutional possibility. It cannot be changed to “借りるのができます.”
• Example: 寝る前はスマートフォンを見ないことにしました。
  Kana: ねるまえはスマートフォンをみないことにしました。
  Translation: I decided not to look at my smartphone before going to bed.
  “〜ことにする” expresses a decision made by the speaker and requires “こと.”
• Example: 来月から大阪で働くことになりました。
  Kana: らいげつからおおさかではたらくことになりました。
  Translation: It has been decided that I will start working in Osaka next month.
  “〜ことになる” expresses an externally determined arrangement or a resulting outcome and cannot be replaced with “の.”

“の”｜Seeing, Hearing, Feeling, and Directly Interacting with an Event

When the following verb directly perceives an event, as with “見る,” “見える,” “聞く,” “聞こえる,” or “感じる,” Japanese usually uses “の.”

“の” is not used here merely because it is more conversational. The reason is that the object of perception is an event that can actually be seen, heard, or felt as it occurs.

Verbs such as “手伝う,” “待つ,” and “止める” also frequently take “の.” These verbs do not simply process information about an event; they directly act on or interact with the event itself.

• Example: 窓から雪が降っているのが見えました。
  Kana: まどからゆきがふっているのがみえました。
  Translation: I could see snow falling from the window.
  The eyes directly perceive the event “snow is falling,” so “の” is used.
• Example: 隣の部屋で赤ちゃんが泣いているのが聞こえます。
  Kana: となりのへやであかちゃんがないているのがきこえます。
  Translation: I can hear a baby crying in the next room.
  The crying is directly perceived through hearing, so “のが聞こえる” is natural.
• Example: 友達が荷物を運ぶのを手伝いました。
  Kana: ともだちがにもつをはこぶのをてつだいました。
  Translation: I helped my friend carry the luggage.
  “手伝う” directly participates in the friend’s action of carrying the luggage, so “の” is used.

“の／こと”｜Both Can Be Used with Preferences, Evaluations, and General Activities

Before expressions such as “好きだ,” “嫌いだ,” “楽しい,” and “難しい,” both “の” and “こと” are often possible.

This is precisely where the oversimplified rule “の is concrete and こと is abstract” becomes least useful.

In general, “の” is more common in everyday conversation and tends to feel closer to actually doing or experiencing the activity. “こと” more readily treats the activity as a general category or topic.

The distinction is often small and does not need to be forced into different English translations.

• Example: 料理を作るのが好きです。
  Kana: りょうりをつくるのがすきです。
  Translation: I like cooking.
  When discussing an everyday preference, “〜のが好き” is very natural.
• Example: 友達と旅行することは楽しいです。
  Kana: ともだちとりょこうすることはたのしいです。
  Translation: Traveling with friends is fun.
  The activity of traveling is being evaluated as a whole, making “こと” natural. “旅行するのは楽しい” would also be correct.
• Example: 毎朝早く起きるのは大変です。
  Kana: まいあさはやくおきるのはたいへんです。
  Translation: Getting up early every morning is hard.
  “の” makes the sentence feel closer to an actual everyday experience. “ことは大変です” would not be grammatically wrong, but it would sound somewhat more generalized.

Japanese “の” vs. “こと”: When Are They Interchangeable, and When Are They Not?

Both “の” and “こと” can turn a preceding action into something that can be discussed as a noun, but you do not need to begin by deciding whether every situation is “concrete” or “abstract.”

A more practical method is to look forward.

Some grammar patterns require “こと.” Some verbs strongly require “の.” Only when neither restriction applies do you need to compare the two forms by nuance.

For example, “日本語を話すことができます” uses “こと” not because speaking Japanese is abstract, but because “〜ことができる” is a fixed grammar pattern.

By contrast, “鳥が飛ぶのを見ました” uses “の” because “見る” directly takes the preceding event as something visually perceived.

What Should You Check First?	Use “の”	Use “こと”	Either “の／こと”
Main criterion	The action is directly seen, heard, felt, waited for, or acted upon	The following expression forms a fixed pattern, or the action is treated as content or a matter	No structure requires one form; difference is mainly nuance
Common situations	Seeing, hearing, feeling, waiting, helping, stopping an event	Ability, decisions, results, experiences, rules, hobby or goal content	Preferences, feelings, general evaluations, discussing an activity
Common following expressions	見る、見える、聞く、聞こえる、感じる、待つ、手伝う、止める	ことができる、ことにする、ことになる、ことがある、〜は〜ことです	好き、嫌い、楽しい、難しい、大変だ
Nuance	Closer to an event as it happens	More readily treats the action as a matter, content, or general topic	“の” is more conversational; “こと” more readily sounds generalized
Question to ask	Is this event directly being seen, heard, waited for, or handled?	Is the following expression a fixed こと pattern, or is the sentence defining what something is?	If neither applies, compare conversational vs. generalized nuance
Example	鳥が飛ぶのを見ました。	日本語を話すことができます。	日本語を勉強するのは楽しいです。／日本語を勉強することは楽しいです。
Interchangeable?	Usually no	Fixed patterns generally cannot use “の”	Often yes, although nuance may differ

“こと”｜Do Not Replace It with “の” in Fixed Patterns

“こと” frequently forms part of complete grammatical constructions.

Expressions such as “〜ことができる,” “〜ことにする,” “〜ことになる,” and “〜ことがある” require “こと.” You cannot replace it simply because “の” appears frequently in everyday speech.

When deciding, look at the latter half of the sentence first. If it already forms one of these fixed structures, nominalize the preceding action with “こと.”

• Example: 日本語で電話をかけることができます。
  Kana: にほんごででんわをかけることができます。
  Translation: You can make phone calls in Japanese.
  The fixed structure “〜ことができる” expresses ability. “電話をかけるのができます” is not appropriate.
• Example: 今年は毎日少しずつ本を読むことにしました。
  Kana: ことしはまいにちすこしずつほんをよむことにしました。
  Translation: I decided to read a little every day this year.
  “〜ことにする” expresses the speaker’s decision, so the entire action “本を読む” is inserted into the fixed pattern using “こと.”
• Example: 来月から東京の支店で働くことになりました。
  Kana: らいげつからとうきょうのしてんではたらくことになりました。
  Translation: It has been decided that I will work at the Tokyo branch starting next month.
  “〜ことになる” expresses an arrangement or outcome, so “こと” cannot be replaced with “の.”

“の”｜Directly Seeing, Hearing, or Interacting with an Event

When the preceding action is the direct object of perception or intervention by the following verb, Japanese generally uses “の.”

Typical following expressions include “見る,” “見える,” “聞く,” “聞こえる,” “感じる,” “待つ,” “手伝う,” and “止める.”

The sentence is not organizing the event into information. Instead, the entire event is directly processed by the following verb: the speaker sees someone running, hears someone speaking, or waits for a friend to arrive.

• Example: 駅の前で友達が走ってくるのが見えました。
  Kana: えきのまえでともだちがはしってくるのがみえました。
  Translation: I saw my friend running toward me in front of the station.
  The eyes directly perceive the event of the friend running over, so “のが見える” is used.
• Example: 隣の部屋で誰かが話しているのが聞こえます。
  Kana: となりのへやでだれかがはなしているのがきこえます。
  Translation: I can hear someone talking in the next room.
  The speaker directly hears the event, so “のが聞こえる” is used.
• Example: 友達が引っ越しの荷物を運ぶのを手伝いました。
  Kana: ともだちがひっこしのにもつをはこぶのをてつだいました。
  Translation: I helped my friend carry their moving boxes.
  “手伝う” directly participates in the friend’s action, so “のを手伝う” is used.

Either “の／こと” Can Work｜The Difference Is Often Style Rather Than Meaning

After excluding fixed “こと” patterns and environments that strongly favor “の,” you reach the cases where the two nominalizers can genuinely be compared by nuance.

Before expressions such as “好き,” “嫌い,” “楽しい,” and “難しい,” both are often possible.

The English translation may be identical. “の” is more common in casual speech and sounds closer to the experience of actually doing the activity. “こと” more readily frames the activity as a general topic.

The difference is usually not large enough to require different translations.

• Example: 休みの日に一人で映画を見るのが好きです。
  Kana: やすみのひにひとりでえいがをみるのがすきです。
  Translation: I like watching movies by myself on my days off.
  When discussing an activity the speaker actually enjoys doing, “〜のが好き” is extremely common in conversation.
• Example: 知らない町を歩くことは楽しいです。
  Kana: しらないまちをあるくことはたのしいです。
  Translation: Walking around an unfamiliar city is fun.
  The activity is evaluated as a whole, so “こと” is natural. “歩くのは楽しいです” would also be correct.
• Example: 朝早く起きるのは思ったより大変です。
  Kana: あさはやくおきるのはおもったよりたいへんです。
  Translation: Getting up early is harder than I expected.
  This sounds like the speaker is describing an actual lived experience, so “の” is natural. “こと” would also be grammatical but slightly more generalized.

“こと”｜Explaining What a Hobby, Goal, or Job Actually Is

Another common use occurs when the preceding action itself defines the content of a noun such as “趣味,” “目標,” “夢,” or “仕事.”

For example, “趣味は写真を撮ることです” answers the question “What is your hobby?” The activity “写真を撮る” is wrapped in “こと” so it can appear before “です.”

This structure cannot simply replace “こと” with “の,” because “〜のです／〜んです” is already an independent explanatory pattern in Japanese. Changing the form changes the grammatical function.

• Example: 趣味はカフェで写真を撮ることです。
  Kana: しゅみはカフェでしゃしんをとることです。
  Translation: My hobby is taking photos at cafés.
  “写真を撮ること” explains the actual content of “趣味,” so “ことです” is used.
• Example: 今年の目標は日本語の小説を一冊読むことです。
  Kana: ことしのもくひょうはにほんごのしょうせつをいっさつよむことです。
  Translation: My goal this year is to read one Japanese novel.
  The action answers the question “What is the goal?”, so the entire clause is nominalized with “こと.”
• Example: 私の仕事は海外のお客さんに商品を紹介することです。
  Kana: わたしのしごとはかいがいのおきゃくさんにしょうひんをしょうかいすることです。
  Translation: My job is to introduce products to overseas customers.
  “商品を紹介すること” defines the content of the job. If changed to “紹介するのです,” the sentence would instead sound explanatory because of “〜のです.”

Can You Really Remember “の＝Concrete, こと＝Abstract”?

Remembering “の” as more concrete and “こと” as more abstract can help when first learning the distinction, but it should not be used as a direct selection formula.

The reason this explanation exists is that “の” does indeed frequently appear in sentences involving events that are directly seen, heard, waited for, or participated in. “こと,” meanwhile, frequently appears with ability, decisions, rules, experiences, and structures that treat an action as content.

The problem is that many real Japanese sentences allow both forms. In those situations, forcing everything into a concrete-versus-abstract distinction can make a relatively simple difference harder to understand.

“の”｜It Does Often Appear with Directly Experienced Events

“の” frequently occurs with events happening in front of the speaker or events that can be directly perceived.

With verbs such as “見る,” “聞こえる,” “待つ,” and “手伝う,” the preceding action is not merely abstract information. It is what the following verb directly sees, hears, waits for, or participates in.

For that reason, the impression that “の” is more concrete is not completely baseless. The actual grammatical clue, however, is still what follows—not simply whether the event itself seems concrete.

• Example: 窓から子どもたちが遊んでいるのが見えます。
  Kana: まどからこどもたちがあそんでいるのがみえます。
  Translation: I can see the children playing from the window.
  The eyes directly perceive the children playing, so “のが見える” is used. The event feels highly immediate, but the decisive clue is “見える.”
• Example: 外で雨が降っているのが聞こえます。
  Kana: そとであめがふっているのがきこえます。
  Translation: I can hear the rain falling outside.
  The ears directly perceive the sound of the rain, so “のが聞こえる” is used. The reason is not simply that rain is concrete, but that “聞こえる” directly takes the event as its object of perception.
• Example: 駅で友達が来るのを待っています。
  Kana: えきでともだちがくるのをまっています。
  Translation: I’m waiting at the station for my friend to arrive.
  What the speaker is waiting for is the event of the friend arriving, so “のを待つ” is used.

“こと”｜It Often Treats an Action as a Matter or Piece of Content

“こと” frequently packages the preceding action as a matter, content, or rule and places it into another structure.

Fixed patterns such as “〜ことができる,” “〜ことにする,” “〜ことになる,” and “〜ことがある” inherently require “こと.”

For this reason, thinking of “こと” as somewhat more abstract can sometimes help with nuance, but you cannot reverse that logic and assume every abstract matter must use “こと.” Often, the real reason is simply that the following grammar pattern is fixed.

• Example: この図書館では無料でパソコンを使うことができます。
  Kana: このとしょかんではむりょうでパソコンをつかうことができます。
  Translation: You can use the computers at this library for free.
  “使うこと” turns using a computer into an action that can then enter the fixed pattern “〜ことができる.” “こと” appears because the construction requires it, not because using a computer is abstract.
• Example: 来年は一人で海外旅行をすることにしました。
  Kana: らいねんはひとりでかいがいりょこうをすることにしました。
  Translation: I decided to travel abroad alone next year.
  “〜ことにする” expresses a decision made by the speaker and requires “こと.” Traveling abroad becomes the content of the decision.
• Example: この会社では毎週月曜日に会議をすることになっています。
  Kana: このかいしゃではまいしゅうげつようびにかいぎをすることになっています。
  Translation: This company has a rule that meetings are held every Monday.
  “〜ことになっている” can express an established rule or arrangement. Holding a meeting becomes the content of that rule.

Either “の／こと” Works｜This Is Where Concrete vs. Abstract Stops Helping

The concrete-versus-abstract shortcut breaks down most clearly in sentences where both forms are possible.

Before expressions such as “好き,” “楽しい,” and “難しい,” both “の” and “こと” often work, and the English translation may be exactly the same.

The more practical difference is usually stylistic. “の” is more common in everyday conversation and feels closer to the speaker’s actual experience of the activity. “こと” more readily frames the activity as a general matter.

This is not an absolute distinction, and there is no need to force the two sentences into different translations.

• Example: 日本語を勉強するのは楽しいです。
  Kana: にほんごをべんきょうするのはたのしいです。
  Translation: Studying Japanese is fun.
  “の” gives the sentence a more conversational feel and sounds closer to describing the experience of actually studying Japanese.
• Example: 日本語を勉強することは楽しいです。
  Kana: にほんごをべんきょうすることはたのしいです。
  Translation: Studying Japanese is fun.
  This sentence is equally correct. “こと” treats studying Japanese as an activity being evaluated more generally.
• Example: 一人で旅行するのは少し不安ですが、楽しいです。
  Kana: ひとりでりょこうするのはすこしふあんですが、たのしいです。
  Translation: Traveling alone is a little intimidating, but it is fun.
  The sentence describes the speaker’s actual experience of traveling, so “の” sounds very natural. “一人で旅行することは” would also be possible but somewhat more generalized.

So “の＝concrete, こと＝abstract” can help explain broad tendencies, but it should not directly determine your answer.

When you encounter a new sentence, first check whether the following expression is a fixed pattern. Then check whether it is a verb of direct perception, waiting, or intervention. Only when neither side imposes a clear restriction should you compare the conversational, event-oriented nuance of “の” with the more generalized nuance of “こと.”

Understanding “の” and “こと” Through “映画を見る”: How the Same Verb Changes with the Sentence Pattern

“映画を見る” itself does not inherently take either “の” or “こと.”

The same action, “watching a movie,” can require different nominalizers depending on whether the larger sentence is defining a hobby, expressing a preference, directly observing an event, or discussing something as information.

Instead of memorizing “Which nominalizer follows 映画を見る?”, it is much more useful to read the sentence to the end.

Ask whether the sentence is defining a hobby or goal, expressing preference, directly perceiving an event, or discussing information. That is what determines “の／こと.”

“こと”｜Treating “Watching Movies” as the Content of a Hobby or Goal

When “映画を見る” answers questions such as “What is your hobby?” or “What is your goal?”, the action becomes the content of another noun, so “こと” is used.

The most common patterns are “趣味は〜ことです” and “目標は〜ことです.”

Here, “こと” turns the preceding action into nominal content that can appear before “です.”

• Example: 趣味は映画を見ることです。
  Kana: しゅみはえいがをみることです。
  Translation: My hobby is watching movies.
  “映画を見ること” answers the question of what the hobby is, so “こと” is used. If changed to “趣味は映画を見るのです,” the ending would be interpreted as the explanatory “〜のです.”
• Example: 週末の楽しみは家で映画を見ることです。
  Kana: しゅうまつのたのしみはいえでえいがをみることです。
  Translation: My weekend pleasure is watching movies at home.
  “家で映画を見ること” explains what “週末の楽しみ” actually consists of.
• Example: 今年の目標は日本映画を十本見ることです。
  Kana: ことしのもくひょうはにほんえいがをじゅっぽんみることです。
  Translation: My goal this year is to watch ten Japanese movies.
  “日本映画を十本見ること” defines the content of this year’s goal.

“こと”｜Treating “Having Watched a Movie” as a Piece of Information

When the sentence is not about directly seeing someone watch a movie, but instead discussing the fact that someone watched it, “こと” is very natural.

The event is no longer an image unfolding in front of the speaker. It is treated as information or content.

However, “知る” itself does not always require “こと,” so it is not accurate to memorize “知る＝こと.” These examples use “こと” because the sentence treats watching the movie as a fact or piece of information.

• Example: 彼がその映画を見たことを知っています。
  Kana: かれがそのえいがをみたことをしっています。
  Translation: I know that he watched that movie.
  The speaker did not directly see him watching it. The sentence refers to the fact that he watched it, so “こと” is natural.
• Example: 田中さんが昨日その映画を見たことを聞きました。
  Kana: たなかさんがきのうそのえいがをみたことをききました。
  Translation: I heard that Mr. Tanaka watched that movie yesterday.
  What the speaker received was information that Tanaka watched the movie, not the sound of the movie-watching event itself.
• Example: 彼女がその映画を三回も見たことを知って驚きました。
  Kana: かのじょがそのえいがをさんかいもみたことをしっておどろきました。
  Translation: I was surprised to learn that she had watched that movie three times.
  The fact that she watched the movie three times is treated as a piece of information.

“の”｜Common in Everyday Speech About Liking Movies

When “映画を見る” is followed by expressions such as “好き,” “嫌い,” “得意,” or “苦手,” “の” is extremely common in everyday conversation.

The sentence describes a preference or feeling related to actually performing the activity, making patterns such as “〜のが好き” and “〜のが苦手” very natural.

This does not mean “こと” is grammatically impossible. “映画を見ることが好きです” is also valid, but “映画を見るのが好きです” is generally more common in casual conversation.

• Example: 休みの日に映画を見るのが好きです。
  Kana: やすみのひにえいがをみるのがすきです。
  Translation: I like watching movies on my days off.
  “〜のが好き” is a common way to talk about everyday preferences and feels close to an activity the speaker actually does.
• Example: 一人で映画を見るのが好きです。
  Kana: ひとりでえいがをみるのがすきです。
  Translation: I like watching movies alone.
  The speaker is describing a personal viewing habit, so “のが好き” is natural. “映画を見ることが好きです” would not be incorrect.
• Example: 映画館で長い映画を見るのが少し苦手です。
  Kana: えいがかんでながいえいがをみるのがすこしにがてです。
  Translation: I’m not very good at sitting through long movies at the theater.
  Like “〜のが好き,” “〜のが苦手” is commonly used to describe how someone feels about actually doing an activity.

“の”｜Actually Seeing Someone Watching a Movie

If the following “見る” is not part of “watching a movie” but instead means that the speaker directly sees another person performing the action, the entire event is nominalized with “の.”

The sentence can be understood as having two layers.

“彼が映画を見ている” is the event being observed, while the final “見ました” is the perception performed by the speaker.

Because the following verb directly perceives an event, “のを見ました” is used.

• Example: 彼がリビングで映画を見ているのを見ました。
  Kana: かれがリビングでえいがをみているのをみました。
  Translation: I saw him watching a movie in the living room.
  The speaker directly sees the event of him watching the movie, so “のを見ました” is used.
• Example: 妹が一人で映画を見ているのを見かけました。
  Kana: いもうとがひとりでえいがをみているのをみかけました。
  Translation: I happened to see my younger sister watching a movie alone.
  The sister watching a movie is the event directly perceived, so “の” is used.
• Example: 子どもたちが教室で映画を見ているのが見えました。
  Kana: こどもたちがきょうしつでえいがをみているのがみえました。
  Translation: I could see the children watching a movie in the classroom.
  The entire event “映画を見ている” becomes the object of “見える,” so “のが見える” is used.

“の” and “こと” in Everyday Conversation: Perception, Decisions, and Information

Both “の” and “こと” appear frequently in everyday Japanese, but they tend to appear in different environments.

When seeing something, hearing something, or waiting for an event to happen, “の” is common. When talking about decisions, systems, or formal definitions, “こと” frequently appears.

Scenario ①｜Seeing Snow Falling Outside the Window

A：外を見て。雪が降っているのが見えるよ。
　　そとをみて。ゆきがふっているのがみえるよ。
　　Look outside. You can see the snow falling.

B：本当だ。思ったより降ってるね。
　　ほんとうだ。おもったよりふってるね。
　　You’re right. It’s snowing harder than I expected.

📌 Grammar Point: “雪が降っている” is an event directly perceived by the eyes, so “のが見える” is used. It cannot simply be replaced with “ことが見える.”

Scenario ②｜Talking with a Friend About a Recent Lifestyle Decision

A：最近、夜更かししてないね。
　　さいきん、よふかししてないね。
　　You haven’t been staying up late recently.

B：うん。平日は十二時までに寝ることにした。
　　うん。へいじつはじゅうにじまでにねることにした。
　　Yeah. I decided to go to bed before midnight on weekdays.

📌 Grammar Point: “〜ことにする” expresses a decision made by the speaker and is a fixed pattern. It cannot be changed to “寝るのにした.”

Scenario ③｜Checking Whether Someone Already Knows Some News

A：田中さんが来月会社を辞めること、知ってる？
　　たなかさんがらいげつかいしゃをやめること、しってる？
　　Did you know that Mr. Tanaka is leaving the company next month?

B：昨日初めて聞いた。
　　きのうはじめてきいた。
　　I only heard about it yesterday.

📌 Grammar Point: “会社を辞めること” is information known through “知る,” not a resignation event unfolding directly in front of the speaker.

Cultural Notes:

1. Whether “こと” and “の” can be exchanged is strongly influenced by what follows. In Japanese language education, expressions such as “見る,” “聞こえる,” “感じる,” “手伝う,” “待つ,” and “止める” are often taught as environments favoring “の,” while fixed structures such as “ことにする,” “ことになる,” and “ことがある” require “こと.”
2. When both forms are possible, “の” is generally more conversational. This does not mean formal writing never uses “の,” nor that everyday conversation avoids “こと.” It is only an overall tendency.
3. The “の” in “〜んです／〜のです” is not the nominalization discussed in this article. “どうして遅れたんですか” asks for background or explanation and cannot be changed to “どうして遅れたことですか.”

How Do Japanese “の／こと” Compare with Korean “-는 것／-기”?

Korean also has grammar that turns verbs into noun-like content, with common forms including “-는 것” and “-기.”

Functionally, Korean “-는 것” overlaps with both Japanese “の” and “こと” because it can turn an entire action or event into a grammatical component of a sentence.

However, Korean also selects nominalization forms based on what follows. Not every nominalized verb uses “-는 것.”

“-기” frequently appears in fixed patterns, decisions, the beginning of an action, and evaluations of activities.

As in Japanese, it is more useful to look at the entire following structure than to assign one fixed translation to each nominalizer.

◆ Similar Grammar ①: Korean “-는 것”

“-는 것” can treat an entire action or state as content and overlaps with both Japanese “の” and “こと.”

It frequently appears when discussing preferences, experiences, general activities, or evaluating an entire action.

• Example: 일본어를 공부하는 것은 재미있어요.
  Romanization: il-bo-neo-reul gong-bu-ha-neun geo-seun jae-mi-it-sseo-yo.
  Translation: Studying Japanese is fun.
  “공부하는 것” nominalizes the activity of studying Japanese. Japanese can use “日本語を勉強することは楽しいです,” while the more conversational “日本語を勉強するのは楽しいです” is also possible.
• Example: 매일 아침 일찍 일어나는 것은 생각보다 힘들어요.
  Romanization: mae-il a-chim il-jjik i-reo-na-neun geo-seun saeng-gak-bo-da him-deu-reo-yo.
  Translation: Getting up early every morning is harder than I expected.
  “일찍 일어나는 것” turns getting up early into an activity being evaluated. Japanese can say “毎朝早く起きるのは思ったより大変です,” and “こと” may also be possible depending on context.
• Example: 새로운 사람을 만나는 것은 좋은 경험이 될 수 있어요.
  Romanization: sae-ro-un sa-ram-eul man-na-neun geo-seun jo-eun gyeong-heom-i doel su i-sseo-yo.
  Translation: Meeting new people can be a good experience.
  “만나는 것” does not refer to one particular meeting but treats meeting new people as an activity. Japanese “新しい人に会うこと” is natural here.

◆ Similar Grammar ②: Korean “-는 것” Before Perception Expressions

Korean can also nominalize an action in progress and place it before perception expressions such as “보이다” and “들리다.”

These sentences describe events directly seen or heard, so Japanese normally uses “の” rather than “こと.”

• Example: 아이들이 공원에서 노는 것이 보여요.
  Romanization: a-i-deul-i gong-won-e-seo no-neun geo-si bo-yeo-yo.
  Translation: I can see the children playing in the park.
  The eyes directly perceive the children playing. The natural Japanese equivalent is “子どもたちが公園で遊んでいるのが見えます,” using “の.”
• Example: 멀리서 기차가 들어오는 것이 보여요.
  Romanization: meol-li-seo gi-cha-ga deu-reo-o-neun geo-si bo-yeo-yo.
  Translation: I can see a train approaching the station in the distance.
  “기차가 들어오는 것” is a movement event unfolding in front of the speaker. Japanese can say “遠くから電車が入ってくるのが見えます,” again using “のが見える.”
• Example: 옆방에서 아기가 우는 것이 들려요.
  Romanization: yeop-bang-e-seo a-gi-ga u-neun geo-si deul-lyeo-yo.
  Translation: I can hear a baby crying in the next room.
  The speaker directly hears the baby crying. The natural Japanese equivalent is “隣の部屋で赤ちゃんが泣いているのが聞こえます,” where “の” nominalizes the perceived event.

◆ Similar Grammar ③: Korean “-기”

Korean “-기” can also nominalize verbs and frequently appears in fixed constructions.

For example, “-기로 하다” expresses a decision, “-기 시작하다” means to begin doing something, and “-기가 어렵다” evaluates the difficulty of an activity.

This resembles the way certain Japanese constructions require “こと,” but the two languages cannot be mapped word-for-word.

• Example: 매일 운동하기로 했어요.
  Romanization: mae-il un-dong-ha-gi-ro hae-sseo-yo.
  Translation: I decided to exercise every day.
  Korean “-기로 하다” expresses a decision. The natural Japanese equivalent is “毎日運動することにしました,” where Japanese requires “ことにする.”
• Example: 한국어로 일기를 쓰기 시작했어요.
  Romanization: han-gu-geo-ro il-gi-reul sseu-gi si-jak-hae-sseo-yo.
  Translation: I started writing a diary in Korean.
  “-기 시작하다” indicates that an action has begun, with “쓰기” nominalizing “write” for the structure. Japanese instead says “韓国語で日記を書き始めました” and does not mechanically translate Korean “-기” as “こと.”
• Example: 혼자서 이 짐을 옮기기가 어려워요.
  Romanization: hon-ja-seo i ji-meul om-gi-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
  Translation: It is difficult to move this luggage by myself.
  “옮기기” nominalizes moving the luggage before “어렵다.” Japanese can naturally say “一人でこの荷物を運ぶのは難しいです,” which uses “の.” This demonstrates why Korean “-기” cannot simply be equated with Japanese “こと.”

◆ Core Differences from Japanese “の／こと”:

Korean nominalization also varies depending on what follows, so “-는 것” cannot always be translated as Japanese “こと,” and “-기” cannot simply be treated as the Japanese equivalent of “こと.”

In Japanese, many restrictions are particularly visible in the following expression.

“ことができる,” “ことにする,” and “ことになる” require “こと,” while “のが見える,” “のが聞こえる,” “のを待つ,” and “のを手伝う” use “の.”

Korean has its own fixed patterns, such as “-기로 하다” and “-기 시작하다.”

When comparing the two languages, it is more accurate to compare complete grammar patterns rather than matching the nominalizers in isolation.

Japanese nominalization with “の” and “こと” does not require you to decide whether every action is concrete or abstract.

When you see “ことができる,” “ことにする,” or “ことになる,” recognize the fixed use of “こと.”

When you encounter “のを見る,” “のが聞こえる,” or “のを待つ／手伝う,” recognize the event-oriented use of “の.”

For expressions such as “好き,” “楽しい,” and “知る,” where both may appear depending on the sentence, consider conversational style, event orientation, and context.

Paying attention to what comes after the nominalized clause is much more practical than forcing every example into the categories “concrete” and “abstract.” It also gives you a much better method for interpreting sentences you have never seen before.

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