Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 8: 8/18

んだけどBut..., And...

Versions without ん/の are also acceptable but ん/の version is more common nowadays.

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

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.

There are several different forms of this construction that are mostly interchangeable with each other. From most casual, to most formal, they are as follows:

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(かお)はいいのだけど...性格(せいかく)は悪(わる)い。
    He has a good looking face, but… his personality is bad.

Examples

--:--

    「昨日(きのう)の告白(こくはく)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).'

    これほしいんだけど (たかい)。

    I want this, but… (it is expensive).

    やせられたらいいんだけど (難(むずか)しいね)。

    It would be great if I could lose some weight, but… (it is hard).

    新(あたら)しい時計(とけい)を買(か)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 (and…) (which one would be good?)

    窓(まど)が開(あ)いているからちょっと寒(さむ)いんですが (どうか窓(まど)を閉(し)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?).

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んだけど・んですが – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (21 in total)

  • Superpnut

    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

    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.)

  • ThiagoIanuch

    ThiagoIanuch

    I can’t understand when I should use んだけど instead of just けど, they both look the same to me

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