Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 4: 12/21

んだってI heard that, He or She said that

Structure

Verb + んだって
[い]Adjective + んだって
[な]Adjective + + んだって
Noun + + んだって

Details

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    Casual

About んだって

When used at the end of sentences, だって often expresses something that has been heard by the speaker. This particular use of だって will always be paired with ん or なん.

As だって is a grouping of the auxiliary verb , and the adverbial particle って, なんだって primarily expresses the following:

なん - Presents an explanation.

だ - Determines something to be true.

って - An abbreviation of と()って 'is said' or と(おも)って 'is thought'.

In this way, it translates quite similarly to 'it is that (A) was said/thought'. Realistically though, it is used in the same way as 'I heard that (A)', or 'it's thought that (A)'.

  • サクラちゃん来年(らいねん)結婚(けっこん)するんだって。うらやましいね。

    I heard that Sakura-chan is going to get married next year. I am jealous, aren't you?

    • タケル(くん)(あたら)しいおもちゃ(ほし)しいんだって。どうしよう?()てあげる

      I heard that Takeru-kun is wanting a new toy. What should we do? Should we buy it for him?

      • あの博士(はかせ)(すご)(こと)()っているように聞こえるけど(じつ)()ていること全部(ぜんぶ)適当(てきとう)んだって

        It sounds like that scientist is saying some amazing stuff, but I heard that everything he says is hot air.

        • タクミさんはレスラーみたいな(からだ)しているけど()なスポーツはフィギュアスケートなんだって

          Takumi-san has a body like a wrestler, but I heard that his favorite sport is figure skating.

          Caution

          なんだって usually comes across as being quite casual, so is best used in conversations with friends.



          Examples

          --:--

            トムは、また(もと)カノと()()っているんだって

            (Someone) said that Tom is back with his ex-girlfriend.

            (かれ)真面目(まじめ)なんだって

            (Someone) said that he is pretty serious.

            やっと旅行(りょこう)()けるんだって。お(かね)()まったから。

            (They) said that (they) can finally travel. Because (they) saved up money.

            まだできていないんだって。あんなに時間(じかん)があったのに…

            (He) said that it is not ready. Even though (he) had all that time to get it done.

            本当(ほんとう)(いや)なんだって(くち)では()えないけど。

            (Someone) said that (he) doesn't actually like it. Although (he) can't tell you to your face.

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          んだって – Grammar Discussion

          Most Recent Replies (5 in total)

          • Anthropos888

            Anthropos888

            Thanks! Will try to remember that

          • grasper

            grasper

            Can んだって always be replaced by のだって?

          • Fuga

            Fuga

            Hey @grasper !

            Technically yes, but since んだって is used in casual situations, replacing it with のだって, could make the sentence sound unnatural.

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