I2 - Lesson 4
In this lesson, we'll learn how to use んです to give more meaning and context to your sentence structure. It can be used to explain reasons, express interest or to emphasize something.
To explain reasons
Using dictionary form of verb, adjectives and noun + んです to the preceding part of the sentence to explain the reason. It can also be used without a preceding situation.
Examples
I went to the mall yesterday to buy a present for a friend.
昨日モールに行きました。友達にプレセントを買ったんです。
I'm a bit sleepy now. I watched tv till late last night.
今ちょっと眠いですね。昨日の晩は遅くまでテレビを見たんです。
Kimura: He is in trouble again.
木村さん: 彼は再び困っている。
Tanaka: I'm going out now.
田中さん：今から出かけるんです。
- Use dictionary form to use んです in your sentence.
- んです can be used as a reaction to a question. See third example above.
To show feelings/emotions
Adding んです adds feelings/emotions to a sentence.
Examples
After seeing someone packing his/her stuff in a hurry.
Where are you going?
1) どこへ行きますか。
2) どこへ行くんですか。
Both 1 and 2 means "Where are you going?". However, 1 is asking the question without any feelings or emotions attached to it. In the sentence structure 2, it is adding context to the question. For example, the speaker might have seen the listener packing his/her stuff in a hurry. Using んです expresses that observation and it invites the listener to answer it.
- んです adds emotions and feelings to the sentence.
- You can use んです to express an observation and it invites the listener to answer it.
To emphasize
んです can also be added to emphasize the meaning of a sentence.
Examples
It's really hot today.
今日は本当に暑いんですね。
He is always late!
彼はいつも遅れるんですよ！
- This sentence structure is always used with emphatic adverbs like 絶対に、本当に、必ず.
- Because this structure involves emotional feelings, if used excessively, it may sound unnatural.