〜ものとする (~mono to suru) — shall ~ (as a rule)
The 'shall' of contracts and rule books — the sentence ending that lays down how things will be done.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
When you rent a room or join a new job in Japan, the contract (契約書) and the company rule book (就業規則) you sign end sentence after sentence the same way: 「〜ものとする」.
Meaning
- For example 「賃料は毎月末日までに支払うものとする」— 'rent shall be paid by the last day of each month.'
- There is no one's wish or guess in it; it carries the feeling of a rule: 'it has been laid down that this is how it will be done' — just like 'shall' in an English contract.
How to attach
Attach 「ものとする」straight to a verb's dictionary form or ない form (支払うものとする・持ち出さないものとする).
Versus what you know
- N3「〜ことになっている」also says 'that is the rule', but it is spoken language you use when telling someone a rule; 「ものとする」is the language of the rule document itself.
- And don't mix it up with the earlier 「〜ものとして」(assuming that ~) — that one is 'assuming', this one is 'it is laid down'.
Watch out
The key rule: it lives only in contracts, rule books and laws — you can't use it for a personal decision like 'I'll get up early tomorrow', or in conversation.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
賃料は、毎月末日までに翌月分を支払うものとする。
ちんりょうは、まいつきまつじつまでによくげつぶんをしはらうものとする。
Rent for the following month shall be paid by the last day of each month.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 賃料 = the rent → 毎月末日までに = by the last day of each month → 翌月分を支払う = to pay the next month's (dictionary form) → we attach 「ものとする」 = the contract sets out that it will be done this way.
社員は、副業を始める際、事前に会社へ届け出るものとする。
しゃいんは、ふくぎょうをはじめるさい、じぜんにかいしゃへとどけでるものとする。
Employees shall notify the company in advance when starting a side job.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 社員は = employees → 副業を始める際 = when starting a side job → 事前に会社へ届け出る = to tell the company in advance → 「ものとする」= the company rules state "you shall do this".
会議室の備品は、許可なく社外に持ち出さないものとする。
かいぎしつのびひんは、きょかなくしゃがいにもちださないものとする。
Meeting-room equipment shall not be taken out of the company without permission.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 会議室の備品 = the meeting-room equipment → 許可なく = without permission → 社外に持ち出さない = not take out of the company (ない form) → 「ものとする」= a rule was made: "shall not be taken out".
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「会費は、毎月10日までに＿＿ものとする。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: Which verb form goes before 「ものとする」?
Dictionary form + ものとする: 支払うものとする = shall be paid. The て form, 「の」or the volitional 支払おう don't attach here.
In which sentence is 「ものとする」unnatural?
💡 Hint: A rule document, or a personal plan?
ものとする is the language of rules and contracts. Getting up early tomorrow is a personal plan — say 「早く起きることにする」.
「全員が参加できる＿＿、会場を予約した。」— fill the blank. ('assuming everyone can come')
💡 Hint: Mid-sentence, with the meaning 'assuming'.
「ものとして」= assuming that ~. 「ものとする」ends a sentence and lays down a rule — it can't sit mid-sentence before 、; 「ものだ」and 「ものなら」don't give this meaning.
Your score: /3