This means something changes. It shows how something becomes different. It is like 'become' or 'turn into'.
Noun + に なるPrimary
な-Adjective + に なる
This means something changes. It shows how something becomes different. It is like 'become' or 'turn into'.
来年、息子は二十歳になります。
Next year, my son will turn 20.
病気だった猫が、すっかり元気になった。
The cat that was sick has become completely healthy.
彼はいくら練習しても、プロの選手にはなれなかった。
No matter how much he practiced, he couldn't become a professional player.
大人になったら、何になりたいですか？
When you become an adult, what do you want to be?
医者になった兄は、毎日忙しそうだ。
My older brother, who became a doctor, seems busy every day.
This word shows changes that just happen. Think of a clock ticking. It shows time passing. It shows seasons changing. It shows people getting older. These things happen on their own. You cannot stop them.
This is different from "〜に する" (ni suru). "〜に する" means you choose to make a change. "〜に なる" means something changes on its own. It is not your choice. Also, "〜に なる" is for nouns and な-adjectives. "〜く なる" (ku naru) is for い-adjectives.
Watch out: Do not use 〜になる for things you choose. For example, if you order coffee, say コーヒーにする. Do not say コーヒーになる. That means the coffee appears by itself.
Don't use this when you want to say an "i-adjective" changes. For example, don't say "samui ni naru" (become cold).
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