Question
of the Week
Vol. 24
Q. What is "~n desu" which is sometimes used at the end of a sentence?
A. This expression is used quite often in conversation, though it might be difficult to use correctly for beginners. It has an explanatory or confirmatory function. The difference between "~masu" (a normal ending of the verb) and "~n desu" is very subtle, therefore it is very hard to translate the nuance. It can be translated as "It is the case that ~" or "It is for the reason that ~". However there is no English equivalent.
Compare these sentences.
(1) Ryokou ni iku n desu ka. (2) Ryokou ni ikimasu ka.
For the sentence (1), she assumes that he is going on a trip, and wants him to confirm it. On the other hand, in the sentence (2), she simply wants to know if he is going on a trip or not.
"~n desu" is attached directly to a plain form of the verb. In the informal situation, "~n da" is used instead of "~n desu".
| Ashita doubutsuen ni ikimasu. 明日動物園に行きます。 (formal) |
I am going to the zoo tomorrow. (simple statement) |
| Ashita doubutsuen ni iku. 明日動物園に行く。 (informal) |
|
| Ashita doubutsuen ni iku n desu. 明日動物園に行くんです。 (formal) |
I am going to the zoo tomorrow. |
| Ashita doubutsuen ni iku n da. 明日動物園に行くんだ。 (informal) |
"Why" questions are often asked with this expression, because they are asking for a reason or an explanation.
| Doushite byouin ni iku n desu ka. Haha ga byouki nan desu. どうして病院にくんですか。 母が病気なんです。 |
Why are you going to the hospital? Because my mother is sick. |
| Doushite tabenai n desu ka. Onaka ga suite inai n desu. どうして食べないんですか。 おなかがすいてないんです。 |
Why don't you eat? Because I am not hungry. |
Click here for another usage for "~n desu".
