Grammar · N4
Relative clauses before nouns
Describe a noun by placing a plain clause directly before it.
In short
Japanese does not need an equivalent of English “who”, “that” or “which”. The describing clause appears before the noun: 昨日買った本, 日本で働いている友達.
How it works
The clause uses ordinary plain-form grammar. A subject inside the clause is often marked with が.
Useful contrast
Think of the whole clause as a long modifier sitting in the same position as an adjective before the noun.
Examples
昨日買った本を読みます。
I will read the book I bought yesterday.
日本に住んでいる友達
a friend who lives in Japan
Common pitfall
Do not put the noun first and then try to attach a relative pronoun. Japanese builds the description before the noun.