ISORI

〜ものだ

JLPT N3:

that's how it is / used to

Several uses: what is naturally or normally true, what people ought to do, a past habit remembered fondly ("used to"), and strong feeling.

How to form it

  • Plain non-past + ものだ states what is natural or normal: 子供(こども)は遊(あそ)ぶものだ (children are meant to play).
  • The same form gives social advice: 人(ひと)の話(はなし)は最後(さいご)まで聞(き)くものだ (you should hear people out).
  • た-form + ものだ recalls a past habit with nostalgia: 昔(むかし)はよくここに来(き)たものだ (I used to come here a lot).
  • It can also express strong feeling: 時間(じかん)が経(た)つのは早(はや)いものだ (how time flies).
  • In conversation it is often もんだ.

Examples

子供(こども)は遊(あそ)ぶものだ。

Children are meant to play.

昔(むかし)はよくここに来(き)たものだ。

I used to come here a lot.

Notes

  • The negative ものではない means "you shouldn't": 人(ひと)の悪口(わるくち)を言(い)うものではない (you shouldn't speak ill of people).

Common mistakes

Similar meaning

Same form, different meaning