～んです・～のです
Explain a situation or reason
You’ll be able to explain the background or circumstances behind a situation you’re describing.
今日はお酒を飲みません。車で来たんです。
kyou wa osake o nomimasen. kuruma de kita n desu.
What do you think this sentence means?
I’m not drinking alcohol today. I came by car, you see.
Explain the situation or give background
～んです adds an explanatory tone. It often tells the listener “here is the situation/background,” rather than merely stating a bare fact. ～のです is the fuller form and sounds more formal or written.
明日、試験があるんです。
ashita, shiken ga aru n desu.
The thing is, I have an exam tomorrow.
Answers an invitation like “Would you like to go for a drink tonight?” by giving the background reason.
電車が遅れたのです。
densha ga okureta no desu.
The reason is that the train was delayed.
Answers a question like “Why are you late?” by explaining the background cause.
After verbs and い-adjectives
Use the plain form before んです or のです.
明日は早く起きるんです。
ashita wa hayaku okiru n desu.
The thing is, I have to get up early tomorrow.
Answers a question like “Why can’t you stay out late tonight?” by giving tomorrow’s early start as the reason.
この店は安いんです。
kono mise wa yasui n desu.
You see, this shop is inexpensive.
Answers a question like “Why do you always shop here?” by giving the shop’s low prices as the reason.
昨日、財布をなくしたんです。
kinou, saifu o nakushita n desu.
The thing is, I lost my wallet yesterday.
Answers a question like “Why do you seem upset?” by explaining what happened yesterday.
After nouns and な-adjectives
Insert な before んです or のです after a noun or な-adjective.
風邪なんです。
kaze nan desu.
I have a cold, you see.
Answers a question like “Why are you wearing a mask today?” or “Are you okay?” by explaining that you caught a cold.
この町は静かなんです。
kono machi wa shizuka nan desu.
You see, this town is quiet.
Explains why you like living here or recommend the town as a peaceful place.
今日は休みなんです。
kyou wa yasumi nan desu.
The thing is, today is my day off.
Answers a question like “Why aren’t you at work today?” by explaining that it is your day off.
Use のです for a fuller form
のです has the same explanatory core but is more formal or common in writing. In speech, んです is extremely common.
電車が遅れているのです。
densha ga okurete iru no desu.
The reason/situation is that the train is delayed.
Formally explains why someone is late or why the schedule has changed.
これは大切なのです。
kore wa taisetsu na no desu.
The point is that this is important.
Formally emphasizes why something deserves attention or should not be ignored.
今日は特別な日なのです。
kyou wa tokubetsu na hi na no desu.
The thing is, today is a special day.
Formally explains why there is a celebration or why today’s plans are different.
明日は早く帰ります。病院へ行くんです。
ashita wa hayaku kaerimasu. byouin e iku n desu.
I will go home early tomorrow. I am going to the hospital, you see.
買い物ができません。家に財布を忘れたんです。
kaimono ga dekimasen. ie ni saifu o wasureta n desu.
I can't buy anything. I left my wallet at home.
まだ大丈夫です。この店は夜九時まで開いているんです。
mada daijoubu desu. kono mise wa yoru kuji made aite iru n desu.
We're still fine. This shop is open until nine at night, you see.
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