The Difference Between 静か (shizuka) vs しずかな (shizuka na)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

Do you know the word 静か (shizuka), which means “quiet”? Sometimes you see it as しずかな (shizuka na). What is the difference? When do you add the な (na)?This is the most basic and important rule for a type of word called na-adjectives (な形容詞). It is a very simple N5 grammar point, but many learners get confused.

This article will explain the two main patterns: when to use しずかな (shizuka na) and when to use 静か (shizuka).

Usage Explanation ①: When to Use しずかな (shizuka na)

You must add な (na) when you want to connect the adjective to a noun (名詞 – meishi). A noun is a word for a person, place, or thing.

The pattern is: しずかな (shizuka na) + Noun

Example 1: (a quiet room)

ここ
は、しずかな 部屋（へや）です。(Koko wa, shizuka na heya desu.)This is a quiet room.

Example 2: (a quiet town)

私（わたし）は、しずかな 町（まち）が好（す）きです。(Watashi wa, shizuka na machi ga suki desu.)

I like quiet towns.

Example 3: (a quiet person)

田中（たなか）さんは、しずかな 人（ひと）です。(Tanaka-san wa, shizuka na hito desu.)

Mr. Tanaka is a quiet person.

Key Point: If the word after “shizuka” is a noun (like room, town, person), you must use な (na).

Usage Explanation ②: When to Use 静か (shizuka)

You use 静か (shizuka) (without な) when it is at the end of the sentence. This is called the “predicative form.” It describes the noun using “is”.

The pattern is: Noun + は (wa) + 静か (shizuka) + です (desu).

Example 1: (The room is quiet)

この部屋（へや）は、しずかです。(Kono heya wa, shizuka desu.)

This room is quiet.

Example 2: (The town is quiet)

この町（まち）は、夜（よる）とてもしずかです。(Kono machi wa, yoru totemo shizuka desu.)

This town is very quiet at night.

Example 3: (Mr. Tanaka is quiet)

田中（たなか）さんは、いつもしずかですね。(Tanaka-san wa, itsumo shizuka desu ne.)

Mr. Tanaka is always quiet, isn’t he?

Key Point: If the word “shizuka” is at the end of the sentence (before です), do *not* use な (na).

Comparison: しずかな (shizuka na) vs 静か (shizuka)

There is no difference in meaning! The only difference is grammar.

Grammar Rule	しずかな (shizuka na)	静か (shizuka)
Form	Noun-modifying form (連体形)	Dictionary form / Predicative form (終止形)
Usage	Use before a noun.	Use at the end of a sentence.
Pattern	しずかな＋名詞 (Noun)	名詞 (Noun) ＋は＋しずか＋です
Example	しずかな部屋（へや） (a quiet room)	部屋（へや）はしずかです。 (The room is quiet.)

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Forgetting ‘na’ before a noun

Wrong:: 私（わたし）は、しずか 町（まち）が好（す）きです。(Watashi wa, shizuka machi ga suki desu.)
Correct:: 私（わたし）は、しずかな 町（まち）が好（す）きです。(Watashi wa, shizuka na machi ga suki desu.)
Why?: 町 (machi) is a noun. You must use な (na) to connect them.

Mistake 2: Adding ‘na’ at the end of a sentence

Wrong:: この部屋（へや）は、しずかな です。(Kono heya wa, shizuka na desu.)
Correct:: この部屋（へや）は、しずか です。(Kono heya wa, shizuka desu.)
Why?: It is the end of the sentence. No な (na) is needed.

Bonus: Confusing with i-adjectives

Wrong:: 新（あたら）しいな部屋（へや）です。(Atarashii na heya desu.)
Correct:: 新（あたら）しい部屋（へや）です。(Atarashii heya desu.)
Why?: 新しい (atarashii – new) is an i-adjective. I-adjectives connect to nouns *without* な (na).

Practice Quiz

Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct word for ( ).

Q1.

ここは、とても ( ) です。

It is very ( ) here.

しずか (shizuka)
しずかな (shizuka na)

Q2.

私（わたし）は、( ) ところが好（す）きです。

I like ( ) places.

しずか (shizuka)
しずかな (shizuka na)

Q3.

（きれい – kirei）も、な形容詞（けいようし）です。
「あれは ( ) 花（はな）ですね。」

(kirei is also a na-adjective) “That is a ( ) flower.”

きれい (kirei)
きれいな (kirei na)

Quiz Answers

Q1. (a) しずか (shizuka) – It is at the end of the sentence (before です).

Q2. (b) しずかな (shizuka na) – It comes before a noun (ところ – tokoro, ‘place’).

Q3. (b) きれいな (kirei na) – It follows the same rule! It comes before a noun (花 – hana, ‘flower’).

Summary: The Two Simple Rules

This is a very simple rule for *all* na-adjectives (like にぎやか, きれい, べんり).

Rule 1: Before a noun? Use な (na).
- しずかな部屋 (heya)
- きれいな花 (hana)
Rule 2: At the end of a sentence? Do NOT use な (na).
- 部屋はしずかです (desu).
- 花はきれいです (desu).

That’s all! There is no difference in meaning, only grammar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between 静か (shizuka) and しずかな (shizuka na)?

A1: 静か (shizuka) is the dictionary form. しずかな (shizuka na) is the form you use *before a noun*.

To modify a noun: しずかな (shizuka na) + NOUN (e.g., しずかな部屋 – a quiet room).
To end a sentence: NOUN + は (wa) + しずか (shizuka) + です (desu) (e.g., 部屋はしずかです – The room is quiet.)

Q2: Does this rule apply to all na-adjectives?

A2: Yes! This is the main rule for all na-adjectives. For example: にぎやか (nigiyaka – lively) → にぎやかな町 (nigiyaka na machi – a lively town). きれい (kirei – beautiful) → きれいな人 (kirei na hito – a beautiful person).

Q3: How are i-adjectives different?