Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 2: 18/23

ものだSupposed to, Should, That's the way it is

Structure

Verb + もの(1) + だ(2)
［い］Adjective + もの(1) + だ(2)
［な］Adjective + な + もの(1) + だ(2)

(1) もん
(2) ではない、じゃない

Details

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    物

About ものだ

もの (or 物(もの) in its kanji form) is classified as a 形式名詞(けいしきめいし) (dummy noun) in Japanese. This just means a noun that is used in a similar way to 'thing' in English. もの regularly refers to things that do not have their own name, or are difficult to name due to their complexity. When もの is combined with the auxiliary verb だ, it implies that the previously mentioned (A) is something that 'is what it is'. This is often used in relation to customs, conventions, common sense, or to highlight results that would naturally be expected in any given situation.

To use ものだ, attach it to the end of the attributive form of any word/word that ends a phrase that you would like to highlight as being an obvious piece of information.

ものだ as 'supposed to', or 'the way it is' can also be used to negate a phrase, and say that it is 'something that isn't expected', or 'shouldn't be the case'. To do this, だ will be replaced with ではない, or じゃない.

Caution

もの may sometimes be abbreviated as もん. This is far more common in spoken language, and can make the statement sound a bit more casual overall.

  • 東大(とうだい)に入(はい)れたのか？大(たい)したもんだ。
    You were able to get into Tokyo University? That is impressive.
  • ゴミを道(みち)に捨(す)てるもんじゃない！
    You should not throw garbage on the street!

Examples

--:--

    ケーキは甘(あま)い物(もの)だ。

    Cake is supposed to be sweet.

    親(おや)は親切(しんせつ)な物(もの)だ。

    Parents are supposed to be kind.

    食(た)べ物(もの)はムダにする物(もの)じゃないよ！

    You shouldn't waste food! (not supposed to)

    悪(わる)いことは続(つづ)く物(もの)だ。

    Bad things usually continue. (That's just the way it is)

    子供(こども)は父母(ちちはは)の言(い)うことを聞(き)く物(もの)だ。

    Children are supposed to listen to their parents!

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      ものだ – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

      • Ambo100

        Ambo100

      • Charlesjh

        Charlesjh

        WHat is the difference between this and はずだ

      • steffuld

        steffuld

        Looks similar to how we add の/ん before だ to nominalize the whole phrase to give it the “It’s that …” explanatory meaning.

        Here it looks like もの/もん is used in exactly the same way, but it also adds its own nuance. Interesting!

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