【JLPT N4 Grammar】〜んです(~ndesu)

Explanation:〜んです

Meaning
Used to emphasize explanations, reasoning, or to add nuance to what the speaker is saying. It’s often added to a sentence to express curiosity, make clarifications, or seek confirmation, making conversations feel more personal and engaging.

Form
Verb (plain form) + んです
い-adjective + んです
な-adjective + な + んです
Noun + な + んです

Points

  1. Explanation and Clarification: 〜んです is often used to give additional context or explain a situation, especially if the speaker assumes the listener might want to know more.
  2. Seeking or Showing Empathy: When asking questions, 〜んです shows interest or concern about the other person's situation, making it sound more thoughtful.
  3. Softer Tone: Adding 〜んです softens the sentence, giving it a more conversational or nuanced feel compared to a straightforward statement.

JLPT Level
N4



Sample sentenes

Questions Showing Interest or Curiosity

〜んですか adds a gentle, empathetic tone to the question, showing interest in the reason behind the action. By using 〜んですか, the speaker adds curiosity or seeks an explanation.

どこで その ほんを ったんですか?
Where did you buy that book?

どうして 学校がっこうに かないんですか?
Why aren’t you going to school?

なにを しているんですか?
What are you doing?

Explanations or Reasons

A:どうしたんですか。
B:あたまが いたいんです。
A:What's the matter?
B:I have a headache.

ヒーターを つけてもいいですか。へやが さむいんです。
Could I turn on the heater? The room is cold.

Seeking Confirmation or Justification

The question is softened, showing interest without sounding too direct.

この やりかたで あっているんですか?
Is this method correct?

このレポート、明日あしたまでに ていしゅつしないと いけないんですね?
I have to submit this report by tomorrow, right?

Expressing an Unusual Situation or Surprise

もう おわったんですか?
It’s already finished?

えっ、あのひとが 先生せんせいなんですか?
Wait, that person is the teacher?

Vocabulary

Japanese English
ヒーター heater
提出する(ていしゅつする) to submit

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