Japanese grammar · reference
Relative clauses
Build a scene with one open role, then put its noun immediately after it.
The algorithm
- Reconstruct the ordinary sentence.
- Choose the noun you want to identify.
- Remove that noun and its particle, leaving one open role.
- Use the clause’s plain form and place it directly before the noun.
私はその人に会った → 私が［ ］会った人
| Open role | Modifier + noun |
|---|---|
| が | 私を手伝った人 |
| を | 私が読んだ本 |
| に | 去年泊まったホテル |
| で | 会議をした部屋 |
Form and time
読む本 · 読んでいる本 · 読んだ本 · 読まなかった本
The modifier has its own time and aspect, independent of the main clause.
来週会う人に、昨日メールを送りました。
先週会った人と、明日また会います。
Check before speaking
- No English-style relative pronoun.
- Do not repeat the head noun or its missing particle inside.
- Use が as the usual local-subject marker.
- Listen for the noun at the end; it resolves the open role.