する (semi-permanent attribute)

Japanese Grammar Basic Japanese ★★★★ 4/5 neutral するsuru
読み する
ローマ字 suru
形 Attribute/Feature + を + している/しています

意味

する is used to describe a semi-permanent physical attribute or characteristic that someone or something possesses. This usage often appears with body parts, features, or distinguishing traits, and conveys an inherent quality rather than a temporary state.

When する describes attributes, it typically appears in the pattern Noun + を + している, indicating a lasting or defining characteristic. Common examples include 青い目をしている (has blue eyes), 丸い顔をしている (has a round face), and 変な形をしている (has a strange shape). This is distinct from the action-performing する because the subject is not actively doing anything — rather, they possess the attribute as part of their appearance or nature. Learners may be tempted to use ある for physical attributes, but Japanese treats these characteristics as something the person 'does' or 'wears' in a figurative sense. The している form is essential here; the dictionary form する alone sounds incomplete when describing attributes.

例文

  1. あの子は大きな目をしている。
  2. この犬は長い耳をしています。
  3. 彼女はきれいな声をしている。

使い方ガイド

場面: spoken, written, everyday

トーン: descriptive

正しい言い方

  • 彼は優しい顔をしている。
  • この猫は柔らかい毛をしています。
  • 赤ちゃんはかわいい笑顔をしている。

避ける言い方

  • あの人は茶色い髪がある。(Using がある for a physical attribute — body features take をしている, not がある) → あの人は茶色い髪をしている。
  • 彼女は小さい手をする。(Using する in dictionary form for an attribute — attributes require the している form to sound natural) → 彼女は小さい手をしている。

起源と歴史

This attributive use of する developed from the broader 'perform/possess' meaning of the verb, extending figuratively to characteristics one 'carries' as part of their identity. It became standard in the early modern period.

文化的背景

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

関連フレーズ

ある (existence of inanimate things) Indicates that an inanimate object exists or is located somewhere. It is the counterpart of いる, which is used for animate beings. ある is one of the most fundamental verbs in Japanese and is essential for describing the presence or location of things. いる (existence of animate things) Indicates that an animate being — a person, animal, or other living creature — exists or is located somewhere. It is the animate counterpart of ある and is one of the first verbs learners must master for describing who or what is present. いる (progressive / ongoing state) Used after the て-form of a verb to indicate that an action is currently in progress or that a state resulting from a past action continues. This is the most common way to express the English present progressive ('is doing') in Japanese. する (causing a state or action) The verb する is used to indicate that someone or something causes a state or action to take place. It is the most basic and widely used verb in Japanese, functioning as 'to do' and forming the basis of hundreds of compound verbs with nouns. 分かる・わかる (understand) Expresses that something becomes clear, understandable, or known to someone spontaneously. The thing understood is marked with が, and the person who understands is marked with に or は. It describes a natural, involuntary process of comprehension. 好きだ・すきだ (like) A na-adjective that expresses liking or fondness for something or someone. The liked object is marked with が, and the person who likes is marked with は. It functions as an adjective describing a state of preference, not a verb. 知る・しる (come to know) Describes acquiring information or knowledge from an external source. The basic form 知る indicates the moment of learning something new, while the te-form 知っている expresses the resulting state of knowing. ある (resultant state) Used after the て-form of a transitive verb to indicate that something has been done and the resulting state remains. This pattern emphasises the current condition that resulted from a completed action, rather than the action itself.
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