JLPT N5 Grammar (ndesu)

Meaning

to explain something; show emphasis

How to use

Verb (casual)んです
んだ
Noun + な
(only with questions)
な-adjective + な
い-adjective
ndesu nda んです んだ jlpt n5 grammar meaning 文法例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (ndesu) & (nda). Meaning: to explain something; show emphasis.

(ndesu) has the same meaning as , but is different in that it feels a bit more personal since it is used to explain something, give reasoning, or to emphasize something.

It is exactly the same as , which is a bit more polite / formal.

For example, can you tell the difference between 1, 2 and 3?

  1. あつい (atsui desu)
  2. あつい (atsui ndesu)
  3. あつい (atsui nda)

1 is simply stating a fact. That it/something is hot.

2 is also stating a fact, but carries a bit more emphasis as the speaker may be answering/asking a question or explaining their feelings.

3 is the same as 2, but the more casual version.


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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

なにをのみたいんですか。
nani o nomitai ndesu ka.
What would you like to drink?
Example #2

おちゃをのみたいんです。
ocha o nomitai ndesu.
I'd like to drink some tea.
Example #3

ねむくないんですか。
nemuku nai ndesu ka.
Aren't you sleepy?
Example #4

きぶんがよくないんですよ。
kibun ga yokunai ndesu yo.
I do not feel well.
Example #5

いまからバイトにいくんだ。
ima kara baito ni iku nda.
I'm heading to my (part time) job now.
Example #6

あさによわいんだ。
asa ni yowai nda.
I'm not a morning person.
Example #7

いつかにほんにいくんだ!
itsuka nihon ni iku nda!
One day I will go to Japan!
Example #8

かいたいんですがおかねがないんだ。
kaitai ndesu ga okane ga nai nda.
I want to buy it, but I have no money.

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
暑いあついhot; sultry
なにwhat
飲むのむto drink
お茶おちゃtea
眠いねむいsleepy
気分きぶんfeeling; mood
良いよい/いいgood
いまnow; the present time; soon
アルバイトpart-time job
行くいくto go; to move
あさmorning
弱いよわいweak
日本にほんJapan
買うかうto buy; to purchase
お金おかねmoney

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JLPT N5 vocabulary list

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