Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 12/13

んだ・んですExplanatory, Emphasis, The fact is

Structure

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

(1)

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Word Type

    Auxiliary Verb

  • Register

    Standard

About ~んです・のです

のです is a construction with several different forms, each meaning roughly the same thing. This expression behaves similarly to and です by themselves (asserting that something is true). However, the addition of の strengthens the relationship being highlighted. Due to this, it will come across a bit like 'it is a fact that (A)' in English.

In these sentences, we can think of the , or as simply adding emphasis to the statement. Due to adding emphasis, this expression will be heard very frequently in explanations.

Caution

There is no real difference between and . Only is considered 'correct Japanese', but evolved to make things easier to say. is the most common form in spoken Japanese, and the use of could be considered a bit formal, or 'stiff'.

While both the and です forms are equally as natural, only the です form will be used if adding to the end ~んです. This construction shows that the speaker is looking for an explanation about something.

Examples

--:--

    いいんです

    Is it good?

    (あか)いいんです

    Is red good?

    いいのです

    Is it good?

    これいいのです

    Is this good?

    (かわ)があるんです

    There is a river.

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~んです・のです – Grammar Discussion