Japanese Day 33 – Showing Emphasis

Today we are looking at のです (nodesu). We have looked at both the の (no) particle and です(Desu), but when they are combined, they work a little differently.

Basically, they are used to show emphasis or explain something, so let’s look at how it works.  

のです (Nodesu)

のです(no desu) is the more polite version of this piece of grammar, but you may see it in more causal speech as either or のだ(no-da) or  んだ(n-da). These all mean the exact same thing, it’s just more different levels of formality. 

If you remember the in です/だ (desu/da) lesson, (Day 9) these are both copulas and both mean the same thing, it’s, just that one is more polite and that is exactly what is happening here.

When you see any of these being used, you can see it as type of simple emphasis but is also more of an “explaining” type tone.

おいしい –  This would just a simple statement “it’s delicious”

おいしいのです– When you add the nodesu, you are really explaining to someone that it is delicious, in a more polite way.

おいしいのだ  – This would be the same level of explanation, but more casual.

おいしいんだ –  This is also the same, but also casual.

It’s not just “this is delicious” being emphasised, it’s more …“I don’t think you know this, so I better tell you …it’s delicious …and I am making it very clear that this is what I’m telling you”.

This can seem very strange to us, as surely just saying “it’s delicious” is explaining …which it is in English, but in Japanese you can use this little ending to make it very clear that you are doing this.  

This can make more sense if you are doing something, as it allows you to explain why you are doing that thing. For example if you where running past everyone, you could say you are late …but using the のです (nodesu) would add an explanatory tone, basically telling people you are running, because you are late.

Again this is something that would just be implied in English through context, but this is how things work in Japanese.   

のです(Nodesu) With Questions

You will also see のです (nodesu) being added to the end of questions, where it is kind of saying …”I have just asked a question and I am seeking an explanation”. This is again strange to us as English speakers …as surely the question in itself is simply asking for an explanation, which it can be.

This is just how the Japanese like to do it.

Really you can see this addition of のです (nodesu) as making it very clear that you really need an more detailed explanation to whatever you are asking, not a simple reply, or a yes or no answer. You are seeking an actual explanation.

Adding のです (Nodesu) To Nouns

You will see のです (nodesu) being used with nouns, but this actually only happens when a question is being asked.

If you want to do this, it’s very simple. You just need to add a な and then のです

Noun + な+のです (noun+na+nodesu) 

Adding のです (nodesu) To Adjectives

You can also use のです (nodesu) with adjectives. Adding this is also easy.

For な adjectives, you need to add a な(na) in between –  Adjective+な+のです(adjective+na+nodesu)

Then for い adjectives you just simply add it directly onto the end – Adjective+のです (adjective+nodesu)

Listen Out For This In Immersion

You should try and listen out for these, as it is quite an interesting little bit of grammar.  It can really change the tone of what is being said and in the context of things it will also make more sense why it might be used.

It is also pretty common, so you should hear it pretty quickly if you are listening out for it.

(Return To: The Full List of All The Japanese Lessons)

Today’s Vocabulary

交番 (こうばん) – Police Box

 秋 (あき) – Autumn

晩 (ばん) – Evening

南 (みなみ) – South

次 (つぎ) – Next

ズボン – Trousers

伯父 (おじ) – Uncle

咲く (さく) – To Bloom/To Flower

Today’s Immersion Videos

It is taking me time to find/add more immersion videos. This section will be updated shortly!

Go To The Next Lesson: Day 34 – How To Say “Always”