Structure
Phrase (A) + のだ(1) + が(2) + Phrase (B)
(1) んだ
(2) けれども、けれど、けども、けど
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About んだけど・んですが
んだけど is an expression that combines んだ (explaining/giving cause), with けど (but). Together they translate simply as 'but...', although the nuance is actually closer to 'but with (A) as the reason… (B)', while (B) is sometimes left unsaid. This implies that the speaker is looking for a reply, or does not want to say the (B) part of the sentence out of politeness/awkwardness.
んだけど、んだけれど、んだけれども、んだが、んですが
ん may be replaced with の in any of the above expressions. However, it will again make it slightly more formal.
- 助かるんだけど一人でできるから帰ってもいいよ。I feel like you are being helpful, but I can handle it by myself, so you can go home.
- 私は明日に釣りに行くのですが先輩も行きませんか?I am going to go fishing tomorrow, but senpai, do you also want to go?
- 新しいパソコンを買いたいのだけど...どれを買えばいいか分からない。I want to buy a new computer, but… I don't know which one to buy.
んだけど、んだけれど、んだけれども、んだが、んですが
ん may be replaced with の in any of the above expressions. However, it will again make it slightly more formal.
Caution
んだが, or simply だが is probably the 'strongest' out of these possibilities, and is considered quite masculine. If you are going to use this form, we recommend making sure that your tone is a bit softer, so that it does not sound too authoritative.Fun Fact
ん (or の) may sometimes be omitted completely, but this is not so common in modern Japanese.- 顔はいいのだけど...性格は悪い。He has a good looking face, but… his personality is bad.
Examples
「明日映画館に行かない?」
「行きたいんだけど (明日試験があるから、行けない)。」'Won't you go to the cinema tomorrow?'
'I'd like to go, but… (I have an exam tomorrow, so I can't).'新しい時計を買いたいのですが (どちらがいいでしょうか)。
I would like to buy a new watch, but… (which one would be good?)
Depending on context, this can be translated as 'and' or nothing at all.
「昨日の告白はどうなったの?」
「こくはくしたんだけど (ふられた)。」'How did yesterday's confession go?'
'I confessed but… (I was rejected).'窓が開いているからちょっと寒いんですが (どうか窓を閉めていただけませんか?)。
Since the window is open, it is a bit cold (and…) (I wonder if you wouldn't mind closing it?).
「あの男、顔がいいね。」
「顔はいいんだけど (なんか性格がわるそう)。」'That guy, he has nice features, don't you think?'
'He has nice features, but… (It seems that he has a bad personality).'Get more example sentences!
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Additional information and examples
J-Nihongo
なんですけど・なんですが
nihongo day by day
Explanatory の / んだ / んだけど / んですが
Japanese Ammo
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Tobira
Page 93
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 82
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んだけど・んですが – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (20 in total)
Megumin
@mrnoone
The questions are updated on the grammar point but on the lesson it still appears like they used to be. Do you know if there’s some sort of weird cache going on?
Superpnut
I have a question about the red squared caution information.
" Caution - んだが, or simply だが is probably the ‘strongest’ out of these possibilities, and is considered quite masculine. If you are going to use this form, we recommend making sure that your tone is a bit softer, so that it does not sound too authoritative. "
When it says it is quite masculine does that mean that two men would use that form when talking to each other? Or I guess…what makes it masculine? Would it be rude for a girl to say it or for it to be said to a girl?
FredKore
It means that usually only men use that form. Imagine the ‘big boss’ stereotype – very gruff, easy to anger, laughs loud, expects obedience from everyone – for the image of “quite masculine”. I’m exaggerating, of course, but in that direction.
It only reflects on the speaker, so it wouldn’t necessarily be bad to say to a woman, just kinda rough to hear. It could be said by a woman but it’s probably very unusual. (I’m not saying anything is absolute in this day and age.)
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