Grammar detail: 連体形（れんたいけい）

連体形（れんたいけい） - attributive (noun-modifying) form

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The

れんたいけい

連体形

is a common form in Japanese. Technically it is known as the 'attributive' form, but a literal translation of the Japanese is a little more useful: 連 = to take, to lead + 体 = body + 形 = form: the 連体形 is the form of a verb or adjective used to modify a noun.

In general the 連体形 is the name of the form of a noun or adjective used to modify or classify the noun. For example, when using こと or もの after an adjective or verb, the form of the adjective or verb is called 連体形. In practice, the standard 連体形 form of verbs and adjectives is the dictionary form. However, alternatives exist, such as the archaic き form of adjectives.

Other terms meaning the same thing

You may also see the English term 'noun or verb acting pronominally' - this is another term for the same concept: a word in the form used to modify another noun (pre = before, nominal = relating to a noun).

In Japanese you may encounter the terms

れんたいしゅうしょくご

連体修飾語

れんたいしゅうしょくせつ

連体修飾節

, which refer to words or phrases respectively acting in this way.