JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N4 grammar · Chapter 3

~がする

Notice a sound, smell, taste, or feeling

You'll be able to describe sensory impressions that reach you naturally.

Illustration of the scene described by A nice smell is coming from the kitchen.
Read it first

台所だいどころからいいにおいがします。

daidokoro kara ii nioi ga shimasu.

What do you think this sentence means?

A nice smell is coming from the kitchen.

Why it means that

Notice a sensory impression

A sensory noun followed by がする describes an impression that reaches you. Common nouns include 音おと, におい, and 味あじ for sounds, smells, and tastes. する does not mean intentionally doing something here.

Example

外そとで大おおきい音おとがしました。

soto de ookii oto ga shimashita.

There was a loud sound outside.

How it is built

Form and use ~がする

Use が, not を. Conjugate する: がします, がした, がしません. A phrase before the sensory noun describes the impression, as in 甘あまい味あじ.

Sensory noun+がする
Examples

外そとで大おおきい音おとがしました。

soto de ookii oto ga shimashita.

There was a loud sound outside.

このお茶おちゃは甘あまい味あじがします。

kono ocha wa amai aji ga shimasu.

This tea has a sweet taste.

Examples

玄関げんかんのほうで変へんな音おとがします。

genkan no hou de hen na oto ga shimasu.

There's a strange noise coming from the entrance.

この牛乳ぎゅうにゅう、変へんなにおいがするよ。飲のまないほうがいい。

kono gyuunyuu, hen na nioi ga suru yo. nomanai hou ga ii.

This milk smells strange. You'd better not drink it.

このスープは少すこししょうゆの味あじがします。

kono suupu wa sukoshi shouyu no aji ga shimasu.

This soup tastes a little of soy sauce.

7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.