JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
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· Intermediate
because (casual/excuse)
Category: Cause and Reason
The grammar pattern "V・A・Naなんだ・Nなんだ + もん" is a casual and emotive way to state a reason or excuse. It is often used in speech by children or in close relationships, and is frequently preceded by the phrase "datte" (but/because). This pattern is used to express a personal or emotional reason for something, and is not suitable for formal or written contexts. It is also not used as a neutral reason like "node".
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Na-adjective or noun | Na-adjective or noun + なんだ | 嫌いなんだ |
| Verb | Verb + ない + もん | 食べないもん |
| Na-adjective or noun | Na-adjective or noun + なんだ + もん | 怖いなんだもん |
どうして食べないの？
dōshite tabenai no?
Why don't you eat?
どうして (why) + tabenai (don't eat) + の (topic marker)
だって、嫌いなんだ。
datte, kirai nanda.
But I don't like it.
だって (but) + kirai (don't like) + なんだ (reason)
また遅刻？
mata chikoku?
Late again?
また (again) + 遅刻 (late)
電車が止まっちゃったんだもん。
densha ga tomattchatta nanda mon.
The train stopped, that's why.
電車 (train) + 止まっちゃった (stopped) + なんだもん (reason)
一人で行くのは怖いんだもん。
hitori de iku no wa kowai nanda mon.
Going alone is scary, that's why.
一人 (alone) + で (particle) + 行く (go) + のは (topic marker) + 怖い (scary) + なんだもん (reason)
This pattern is used in casual speech and is not suitable for formal or written contexts. It is often used by children or in close relationships to express a personal or emotional reason for something. It is not used as a neutral reason like "node".
This pattern is not suitable for formal or written contexts and may sound unnatural or insincere.
For Nouns/Na-adjectives, the correct pattern is 'nanda mon', not just 'mon'.
This pattern is used to express a personal or emotional reason, not a neutral reason. Use 'node' for neutral reasons.
Pay attention to the context and register of the sentence. This pattern is used in casual speech and may not be suitable for formal or written contexts. Make sure to use the correct pattern for Nouns/Na-adjectives and avoid using it as a neutral reason.
「どうして食べないの？」「だって、嫌い______。」
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