~んです・のです
Meanings
- Explanatory
- Emphasis
- The fact is
About this pattern
Explanation
~んです and ~のです are used when you want to explain or emphasize something, or present information that the listener didn’t know. They soften statements, invite agreement, or provide a reason for why you’re saying something. The んです form attaches to plain (dictionary) forms, while のです is a more formal or written variant. In casual speech, んです is more common; のです can sound more explanatory or authoritative. Patterns differ slightly by the part of speech (verbs, adjectives, nouns), but the core idea is to present information as background or context rather than a bare assertion.
Learn in context
Example sentences
It's raining today, you see.
He's busy (and that's why...).
I made this cake.
I have to wake up early tomorrow.
She lives in Japan (explanatory).
This book is difficult (the fact is).
That person is good at Japanese, you know.
Keep studying
More N5 patterns
to be; is; equals; identifies as
View detailsto be; is; am; used to state something politely
View detailsAs for... (highlights sentence topic); Topic marker used to indicate what the sentence is about; Marks the topic of the sentence, sometimes with contrast
View detailsalso; too; as well; even; either; neither
View detailsthis (near the speaker); this thing; this one
View detailsthat; that thing (near the listener); the thing referred to earlier
View details