Meaning & usage
なす is a formal or literary verb meaning to do, carry out, make, or bring into shape, often seen in set patterns like 意味をなす or 名をなす. It follows a noun with を, and it conjugates as a regular godan verb with forms such as なさない, なした, なされる, and なすべき. In conversation する, するべき, or 形作る are more natural, so reserve なす for writing, speeches, and fixed expressions.
Example sentences 5
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彼の言うことは意味を成さない。
What he says does not make any sense.
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なすべきことがまだたくさんある。
There still remains much to be done.
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彼は処女作で作家としての名を成した。
He made his mark as a writer with his very first novel.
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彼女の言ったことは意味をなさなかった。
What she said did not make sense.
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彼の言っている事は意味をなさない。
What he is saying does not make sense.
