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JLPT N5 · Sentence patterns

にする (ni suru)

~にする — deciding on / choosing something

In short · Noun + にする means ‘I will decide on / choose that one’. It is very common when ordering food and drinks or picking among options. It attaches directly to a noun.
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Pattern

  • 名詞+にする(にします) noun + にする: decide on that noun (polite: にします)

Structure

Attach にする directly to a noun: コーヒーにする, お茶にする. The polite form is にします, and the question form is 何にしますか (“What will you have?”).

When to use it

Use it when you choose one thing out of several, such as in a restaurant, a shop, or when deciding on a plan. It expresses your decision at that moment.

Note

The particle is に, not を or が. Say コーヒーにします, not コーヒーをします. With a noun like ‘lunch’ you may also hear をする, but that means something different (‘to do’).

Examples

  • 私(わたし)はコーヒーにします。

    Watashi wa kōhī ni shimasu.

    I'll have coffee.

    A typical way to place an order.

  • 私(わたし)はお茶(ちゃ)にします。

    Watashi wa ocha ni shimasu.

    I'll have tea.

    Choosing tea over other drinks.

  • 昼(ひる)ご飯(はん)はパンにします。

    Hirugohan wa pan ni shimasu.

    I'll go with bread for lunch.

    は marks the topic (lunch); にします gives the choice.

Common mistakes

  • Use に, not を: コーヒーにします, not コーヒーをします.
  • It states a decision. To ask what someone wants, use 何にしますか.

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