JLPT N4 grammar
Relative clauses — Meaning & Examples
Descriptive clauses that come BEFORE the noun they modify. No connector word needed — just put the verb/adjective/clause in plain form, then the noun.
The が-trick in Relative Clauses
In relative clauses, the subject is often marked with が (not は).
Compare:
わたしはケーキを作りました。(watashi wa kēki o tsukurimashita.) (Main sentence)
= I made a cake. (uses は)
わたしが作ったケーキ (watashi ga tsukutta kēki) (Relative clause)
= the cake I made (uses が)
Why? は marks the TOPIC of the whole sentence. Inside a sub-clause, you mark the subject of just that mini-clause with が.
ともだちがくれたプレゼントは高いです。(tomodachi ga kureta purezento wa takai desu.)
= The present my friend gave me was expensive.
(ともだち inside the clause uses が; プレゼント as the main topic uses は.)
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on Relative clauses. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. In a relative clause, you use which form?
- Plain form
- ます form
- Either
- た form only
Show answer
Answer: Plain form
Use PLAIN form inside relative clauses, even when the main sentence is polite. さっきたべたケーキ (NOT たべましたケーキ).
2. "わたしが買った本" means?
- I bought a book
- Books are bought by me
- I buy books
- The book I bought
Show answer
Answer: The book I bought
Relative clauses come BEFORE the noun. わたしが買った (I bought) + 本 (book) = the book I bought.
Practise Relative clauses in the free app
This point is part of the “Relative Clauses & Modifying Nouns” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Relative Clauses & Modifying Nouns
Frequently asked questions
What does Relative clauses mean?
Descriptive clauses that come BEFORE the noun they modify. No connector word needed — just put the verb/adjective/clause in plain form, then the noun.
Is Relative clauses on the JLPT N4 test?
Relative clauses is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Relative Clauses & Modifying Nouns”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise Relative clauses?
Open the “Relative Clauses & Modifying Nouns” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.