〜のが: meaning and usage

How to form it

• verb (plain form)+のが
• い-adjective+のが
• な-adjective (stem)/noun+な+のが

How it is used

「の」 turns a verb phrase into a noun that serves as the subject, followed by an evaluation such as 「好き」, 「上手」 or 「大変だ」. More conversational than 「こと」, though set phrases like 「〜ことができる」 can't take 「の」.

Examples

1. 亭主が元気で留守なのが一番気楽だ。

   It's most relaxing when my husband is healthy and away from home.

2. 姉は絵をかくのが上手だ。

   My older sister is good at drawing.

3. 毎朝早く起きるのが大変です。

   Getting up early every morning is hard.