Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 14/14

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'.

    Examples

    --:--

    • 走(はし)るの？

      Are you going to run? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

      • 外(そと)は暑(あつ)いの？

        Is it hot outside? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

        • この人(ひと)が怖(こわ)いの？

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

          • 海(うみ)で泳(およ)がないの？

            Aren't you going to swim in the ocean? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

            • あの橋(はし)を渡(わた)るの？

              Are you going to cross that bridge? (Contextual/Explanatory question)

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