What does the term "prenominally" mean?

Question

The term "手の込んだ" is described in denshi jisho as being a "Noun or verb acting prenominally".

In the context of Japanese, what does it mean for something to be acting prenominally? For example, does it mean that there's restrictions on where such a word can be used?

@krnk the one at jisho.org – Golden Cuy Jan 20 '15 at 14:07 — Golden Cuy, Jan 20 '15 at 14:07

a user · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-20T14:37:47.530

6

In Japanese it is called 連体修飾語 (for a word) or 連体修飾節 (for a phrase). 連体修飾 means modification or description of a noun, or in Japanese 体言に連なる修飾.

As suggested by the word “prenominal”, it is placed before a noun. Eg:

手の込んだ料理

Here, 手の込んだ is placed before and describes 料理.

Usually, 連体形 of 用言 (動詞, 形容詞 and 形容動詞) is used as 連体修飾語. 手の込んだ is also a 連体形.

手 (名詞) の (助詞) 込ん (連用形 of 動詞 “込む”) だ (連体形 of 助動詞 “た”)

edited Jan 20 '15 at 14:37

answered Jan 20 '15 at 14:14

a user

1,244
7
11

So you can't say "Xは手の込んだです"? – Golden Cuy Jan 20 '15 at 14:23
@AndrewGrimm No. “Xは手が込んでいます” is acceptable, but this doesn't include a prenominal words. – a user Jan 20 '15 at 14:25

What does the term "prenominally" mean?

1 Answers1