お〜になります
honorific: to do
Show that a state, habit, skill, or situation has changed over time.
Remember it
Picture a before and after, then mark the change with お〜になります.
Understand
Build the pattern
Sentence formula
How it works
「お〜になります」 means "honorific: to do". Structure: お + Verb stem + になります. This is a JLPT N4 pattern — the examples below slot different everyday and workplace words into the same structure so you can see how it behaves. Learn the structure, then swap in your own words.
When to use it
Use it for progress, new habits, changing conditions, and life updates.
Tone: Business polite
Use with customers, senior colleagues, or anyone who deserves extra respect.
Use
Hear it in real life
At work
Example 1部長は故障をお読みになります。
ぶちょう は こしょう を およみ に なります。
buchou wa koshou o oyomi ni narimasu.
The manager will read the breakdown. (honorific)
At work
Example 2部長はお釣りをお読みになります。
ぶちょう は おつり を およみ に なります。
buchou wa otsuri o oyomi ni narimasu.
The manager will read the change (money). (honorific)
At work
Example 3部長は畳をお読みになります。
ぶちょう は たたみ を およみ に なります。
buchou wa tatami o oyomi ni narimasu.
The manager will read the tatami mat. (honorific)
At work
Example 4部長は紙をお読みになります。
ぶちょう は かみ を およみ に なります。
buchou wa kami o oyomi ni narimasu.
The manager will read the paper. (honorific)
At work
Example 5部長は草をお読みになります。
ぶちょう は くさ を およみ に なります。
buchou wa kusa o oyomi ni narimasu.
The manager will read the grass. (honorific)
Make it yours
Choose one example. Replace one person, place, object, or time with a detail from your life, then say the new sentence aloud.
Recall
Test your memory
Recall practice
Can you say it?
1 of 5
Read the situation, look away from the answer, and say the Japanese aloud.
Your situation
The manager will read the breakdown. (honorific)
The answer is hidden. Try to use お〜になります.
Remember tomorrow
Save this pattern as a flashcard
Review the meaning and formula later so today’s lesson moves into long-term memory.