JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
explanation; emphasis
Category: Particles & Connectors
The grammar pattern 'Plain form + んです (Na/N + なんです)' is used to provide an explanation, seek clarification, or add emphasis to a statement. It makes the sentence sound more personal or explanatory than a simple statement. This pattern is often used in informal conversations and can be translated to English as 'you know', 'I mean', or 'it's like this'.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Na-adjective | Na-adjective + なんです | 頭が痛いなんです |
| Noun | Noun + なんです | 今日は日曜日なんです |
| Verb | Verb + なんです | すみません、少し遅れなんです |
どうしたんですか。
doushitan desu ka
What's wrong?
どうしたんですか。 (doushitan desu ka) - What's wrong? (lit. What happened to you?)
今日は日曜日なんです。
kyou wa nichiyoubi nan desu
Today is Sunday.
今日は (kyou wa) - Today, 日曜日 (nichiyoubi) - Sunday, なんです (nan desu) - It's like this
すみません、少し遅れなんです。
sumimasen, sukoshi osoe nan desu
Sorry, I'm running a bit late.
すみません (sumimasen) - Sorry, 少し (sukoshi) - a bit, 遅れ (osoe) - late, なんです (nan desu) - It's like this
頭が痛いなんです。
atama ga itai nan desu
I have a headache.
頭が (atama ga) - my head, 痛い (itai) - hurts, なんです (nan desu) - It's like this
This pattern is used in informal conversations to provide an explanation or seek clarification. It's not suitable for formal writing or situations where a more neutral tone is required. It can be compared to the pattern 'Plain form + です (Na/N + です)', but the latter is more formal and less explanatory.
This mistake can change the meaning of the sentence and make it sound less natural.
Overusing this pattern can make the sentence sound less natural and less formal.
This mistake can change the meaning of the sentence and make it sound less natural.
In the JLPT exam, this pattern is often tested in the listening section. Pay attention to the context and the speaker's tone to determine whether to use this pattern or not.
「どうしたんですか。」「頭が痛い______。」
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