JLPT N5 Grammar – How to Use”〜んです”
Table of Contents
1. How to Use”〜んです”
2. 〜んです
3. What’s the difference between “旅行します” and “旅行に行くんです”?
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What’s the difference between “旅行に行きます” and “旅行に行くんです”?
A: “〜んです” is a way of expressing not just facts, but also the speaker’s feelings—such as explaining a reason or emphasizing emotion.
When you say “旅行に行くんです,” it carries a stronger nuance of excitement or special feelings about the trip, compared to the more neutral “旅行に行きます,” which simply states the fact.
〜んです (JLPT N5)
[Usage]
①Confirmation: Asking about something the speaker has seen or heard, based on their impression.
②Getting information: Using a question word to draw out an explanation from the listener.
③Explaining a reason: Giving a reason in response to a question.
④Emphasizing emotion: Strongly expressing a feeling or thought the speaker wants to convey.
[Rule]
[V] Verb plain form + んです
[A] い adjective plain form + んです
[Na] な adjective + なんです (instead of using “-だ” in plain form)
[N] Noun + なんです (instead of using “-だ” in plain form)
[Examples]
（濡れた髪や服を見て）雨が降っているんですか？（①）
(Seeing someone with wet hair or clothes)Is it raining?
かわいいかばんですね。どこで買ったんですか？（②）
That’s a cute bag. Where did you buy it?
A：「どうしてきのう学校を休んだの？」
B：「熱があったんです。」（③）
A: “Why were you absent from school yesterday?”
B: “Because I had a fever.”
このレストラン、安くてとてもおいしいんです！（④）
This restaurant is cheap and really delicious!
What’s the difference between “旅行します” and “旅行に行くんです”?
What’s the difference between “旅行します” and “旅行に行くんです”?
“旅行します” is a neutral statement that simply describes the fact that you will go on a trip.
It does not convey the speaker’s feelings or the background behind the trip.
[Examples]
明日から旅行するから、戸締りをしっかりしていこう。
I’ll be traveling starting tomorrow, so let’s make sure to lock everything up properly.
明日から1週間ほど旅行するので、会社を休みます。
I’ll be traveling for about a week starting tomorrow, so I’ll take time off from work.
社会人ですが、一日6時間勉強します。
I’m a working adult, but I study six hours a day.
On the other hand, using “〜んです” adds the speaker’s feelings, background, or emphasis to the statement.
Depending on the context, it can express a variety of nuances such as joy, surprise, or dissatisfaction.
[Examples]
ずっと楽しみにしていたハワイ旅行に行くんです！
I’m going on the Hawaii trip I’ve been looking forward to for so long!
宝くじにあたったんです！
I won the lottery!
一日6時間も勉強するんですか！？
You study six hours a day!?
In casual conversation, “の” is sometimes used instead of “んです.”
However, it has a slightly feminine tone, so it should be used with care.
[Examples]
このケーキ、とても美味しいの！
This cake is so delicious!
お母さん、お腹が痛いの。
Mom, my stomach hurts.
このお話、とても悲しいの…。
This story is really sad…
Let’s Compare
In cases like the following, which expression better conveys the speaker’s feelings?
[Example]
① ずっと楽しみにしていたハワイ旅行に行くんです！
② ずっと楽しみにしていたハワイ旅行に行きます！
Both are grammatically correct, but
① with “〜んです” expresses the excitement and anticipation of “I’ve been looking forward to it for so long” more strongly.
So, how about a situation like the following?
[Example]
この参考書、とても分かりやすいんです。読んでみてください。
この参考書、とても分かりやすいです。読んでみてください。
Both sentences convey the same basic meaning, but the first one with “〜んです” more naturally expresses the speaker’s strong feeling of truly wanting to recommend it.
As seen here, “んです” is not just for stating facts — it is used when the speaker wants to convey their emotions or intentions more strongly to the listener.
Summary
The main uses of “〜んです” can be divided into the following four types:
Confirmation: Asking the listener about something the speaker has seen or heard and felt.
Getting information: Using a question word to draw out an explanation from the listener.
Explaining a reason: Giving a reason in response to a question.
Emphasizing emotion: Strongly expressing what the speaker wants to convey to the listener.
Similer Articles
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