する (Permanent Attribute)

する (Permanent Attribute) Japanese Grammar Lesson

Grammar Type: Irregular Verb

Essential Meaning: To have (some inalienable attribute)

Construction: 

• Subject + Adjective + Attribute + をしている
  • E.g. この机つくえは丸まるい形かたち をしている。[This desk has a round shape.]

Notes:

• する (Permanent Attribute) is another way of stating X は Y が. It describes a particular part or attribute of the subject when that attribute is inalienably possessed by the subject (i.e. the subject cannot fundamentally exist without the part or the attribute in question). For example, a table cannot exist without legs, so legs are an inalienable feature of a table.
  • E.g. この机つくえは丸まるい形かたちをしている。[This desk has a round shape.] A desk necessarily has some shape. In this case, the desk has a round shape.

• This usage of する takes the structure Subject + Adjective + Attribute + をしている. Note that する (Permanent Attribute) always takes the stative form している in a main clause, but in a relative clause it may also take the past tense. The following examples all mean essentially the same thing:
  • E.g. 洋子ようこは長ながい足あしをしている。[Yoko has long legs.]
  • E.g. 長ながい足あしをした洋子ようこ [Long-legged Yoko] This is a relative clause rather than a complete sentence.
  • E.g. 長ながい足あしをしている洋子ようこ [Long-legged Yoko] This is a relative clause rather than a complete sentence.
  • E.g. 洋子ようこは足あしが長ながい [Yoko has long legs.]

Example Sentences:

洋子ようこは長ながい足あしをしている。[Yoko has long legs.]

一男かずおは丈夫じょうぶな体からだをしています。[Kazuo has a strong body.]

この机つくえは丸まるい形かたちをしている。[This desk has a round shape.]

WILD Examples:

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