Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 13/14

の (Questions)Contextual and Explanatory Questions

Structure

Verb + の(1)（だ）
［い］Adjective + の(1)（だ）
Noun + な + の(1)（だ）
［な］Adjective + な + の(1)（だ）

(1)ん

Details

    About の (Questions)

    Directly related to the explanatory/contextual use of の is the use for asking questions. Adding の to a question will make it feel as though more context or reasoning is being asked for. There is likely to be an observation behind the question.

    の will directly follow verbs and い-Adjectives, and is attached to nouns and な-Adjectives with な.

    The same as the regular explanatory/contextual use, の may also be shortened to ん. This is especially common in the spoken language.

    Caution

    Some resources teach の as a generic 'casual question marker', but this is misleading.

    A standard casual question simply uses the dictionary form with a rising intonation. Adding の adds specific explanatory nuance. If の is used in every question, it may sound overly inquisitive or demanding of reasons.

    の (or ん) can also be used with the polite auxiliary verb です and the question marking particle か, from which it can clearly be seen that it is adding extra nuance, not acting as a 'casual question marker'.

    Vocab Coverage

    All Bunpro Vocab that appears on this item.

    Examples

    --:--

    • この人(ひと)が怖(こわ)いの？

      Are you scared of this person? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

    • 彼女(かのじょ)は静(しず)かな人(ひと)なの？

      Is she a quiet person? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

    • あのりんごを食(た)べるんですか？

      Are you going to eat that apple? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

    • あなたの家(いえ)に牛(うし)がいるのですか？

      Is there a cow at your house? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

    • 明日(あした)は公園(こうえん)で友達(ともだち)と遊(あそ)ぶの？

      Are you going to play with your friends at the park tomorrow? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

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