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To say `new`, the first way that I learned is to use the i-adjective `新しい`.
But I noticed that the na-adjective `新たな` is used a lot in written texts. Is
there any difference in when either is used?
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2012-02-22T04:03:34.047
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2021-06-10T06:46:17.960
2012-02-22T05:08:06.663
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question
word-choice adjectives i-adjectives na-adjectives
When would you use 新{あら}たな and 新{あたら}しい
`新しい` is a famous example of metathesis. Originally, it was `[新]{あら}たし`. Over
the time, the positions of `ら` and `た` have switched, and the new form
`[新]{あたら}し` was created, which evolved into today's standard form `新しい`, and
today, the old form is preserved only as the na-adjective `新た`. Na-adjectives
are often used to incorporate Chinese words, and those words generally have a
formal impression as opposed to i-adjectives, which are well familiarized
words. `新た` is no exception. It is used in formal contexts or when you want to
have some literary effect.
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2012-02-22T05:29:39.257
4771
2012-02-22T18:00:41.800
2012-02-22T18:00:41.800
4769
answer
新たな sounds more literary, as already pointed out. In addition, the usage of 新た
is limited.

新た is only used to describe something is created/started from scratch. When
something is compared by age or freshness, 新しい is the only choice.

In addition, in modern Japanese 新た only works as a modifier (新たな is an
attributive - "brand-new", 新たに is an adverbial - "from scratch"), and cannot
form the predicate 新ただ.

Consider the following example:

  * [correct usage] こちらの本の方が新しいです。
  * [incorrect usage] もっと新たな本を読みたいです。
  * [incorrect usage] こちらの本の方が新たです。
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2017-04-10T03:59:41.910
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2021-06-10T06:46:17.960
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answer