Breakdown of syakai no henka wo rikaisuruno ha zyuuyou desu.
はha
topic particle
ですdesu
to be
をwo
direct object particle
のno
possessive case particle
〜の〜no
verb nominalizer
理解するrikaisuru
to understand
重要zyuuyou
important
社会syakai
society
変化henka
change
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Questions & Answers about syakai no henka wo rikaisuruno ha zyuuyou desu.
What does each particle do in this sentence?
- の (社会の変化): links two nouns; “change of society” → “social change.”
- を: marks 社会の変化 as the direct object of 理解する.
- の (理解するの): nominalizes the verb phrase into a noun phrase.
- は: marks that whole nominalized phrase as the topic.
- です: polite copula ending the sentence.
Why is は pronounced “wa” here? And how do I pronounce を?
When used as a particle, は is read “wa” (historical spelling). Particle を is written を but pronounced “o.” These special readings apply only when they’re particles.
Why do we need の after 理解する?
It nominalizes the verb phrase so it can function as a noun/topic. Without の/こと, you can’t attach は to a verb phrase. 社会の変化を理解するの ≈ “the act of understanding social change.”
Can I use こと instead of の? Any nuance?
Yes: 社会の変化を理解することは重要です is common. こと feels a bit more formal/abstract; の can feel more concrete/subjective. Both are fine in most contexts.
Could I use が instead of は (…のが重要です)?
Yes: 社会の変化を理解するのが重要です is natural. が marks the clause as the grammatical subject and can sound neutral or focus-identifying; は sets up the clause as the overall topic and can imply contrast.
Where is the subject? Who is doing the understanding?
It’s a general statement; Japanese often omits subjects. It corresponds to English “It is important to understand…”. To specify, put it inside the clause: 私たちが社会の変化を理解するのは重要です.
Why is it 重要です and not just 重要?
重要 is a na-adjective (adjectival noun). For a polite sentence, add the copula です → 重要です. Plain form is 重要だ; attributive form before a noun is 重要な (e.g., 重要な課題).
Is there a difference between 重要, 大切, and 大事?
All mean “important,” but:
- 重要: objective/weighty/formal (documents, news).
- 大切: important/precious to someone; personal value.
- 大事: important/serious in everyday speech. Any works here; pick tone by context.
Can I say 社会変化 instead of 社会の変化?
Usually no; 社会変化 sounds odd. Use 社会の変化. There are fixed compounds like 社会変動 or 社会変容, but they’re not generic replacements and carry specific nuances.
Is 変化 singular or plural here?
Japanese doesn’t mark number by default. 変化 can mean “change” or “changes” depending on context. To stress plurality, use さまざまな変化 or formal 諸変化.
What happens to を when the clause is nominalized with の?
It stays inside the clause: [社会の変化を理解する] の は…. は targets the whole bracketed clause; it doesn’t replace the internal を.
Why not 理解しますのは?
Nominalizers の/こと attach to the plain dictionary form, not the polite ます form. So it must be 理解するのは, not 理解しますのは.
Is 理解をする okay, or must it be 理解する?
Both exist. 理解する is the default. 理解をする can sound more formal/emphatic or be used to highlight 理解 as the object, but it’s unnecessary here.
How do I make it stronger, like “very important” or “especially important”?
- Very: とても重要です or more formal 非常に重要です.
- Especially: 特に重要です. Example: 社会の変化を理解することは非常に重要です.
How do I say “For companies, it’s important to understand social changes”?
Use 〜にとって（は）: 企業にとって（は）社会の変化を理解するのは重要です. にとって = “from the standpoint of.” You can also say 企業には for a looser “for companies (in their case).”
Can I flip the sentence to emphasize “the important thing is …”?
Yes: 重要なのは、社会の変化を理解することです。 Here 重要な + の makes “the important thing,” and the clause after it is what that thing is.
Could I rephrase using the noun 理解?
Yes: 社会の変化の理解は重要です (“The understanding of social change is important”). This sounds a bit more formal/nominal than using 理解するの/こと.
How is the whole sentence pronounced?
shakai no henka o rikai suru no wa juuyou desu. Particle は is read “wa,” を is “o,” and the long vowels in juuyou are held slightly longer.