Meaning
Depending on context (how often do we use that phrase!), the meaning or shade of meaning expressed by ～んです can differ and can be very difficult to translate. Here are the various meanings:
To make a point or to explain something
Example: you are buying an item of clothing for someone, but the one they give is too small. You ask for a bigger one, adding the explanation: これは わたしより たかい んです。If you disregard the ん, the sentence reads simply 'He's taller than me.' Adding the ん makes clear that this is meant to clarify your earlier statement. A good translation would be ,'He's taller than me, you see.'
To politely request information or advice
In this case, the ～んです is often followed by が.
Example: おみやげをかいたいんですが。Without the ん and the が, this would neutrally state 'I want to buy a souvenir'. Adding the ん and the が turns it into an implicit request. The closest English equivalent I could think of was, 'I'm looking for a souvenir' (as opposed to 'I want to buy...').
To ask for an explanation indirectly
This is used when asking a yes/no question rather than an open question ('why', 'how' etc). The two questions can be entirely different.
Example: まいあさこのじかんにくるんですか。Without ん, this means 'Do you come here every morning at this hour?' But using the ん turns it into a polite request for information as to the reason.
The answer to this question would typically also use んです, that is, if you felt a need to explain.
There isn't really an English translation, but in English, stating an observation completely neutrally would have the same effect. In this case, 'You're here early' with a slightly rising pitch.
As a prelude to an invitation
If your invitation comes in two parts: one describing the event you're inviting the other party, and another containing the actual request, then use んです in the first part.
Example: おんせんに いくんですが、いっしょに いかが ですか。 Without ん, this is 'We're going to a hot spring, would you like to come along?' With ん, you sort of cushion the blow of the (perhaps unexpected) request in part 2. There is really no good English equivalent. The closest thing is something like, 'We're going to to a hot spring and I was wondering, would you like to come along?'
Declining an invitation
This is pretty much equivalent to giving an explanation and could equally well be translated by 'you see' at the end.
Example: ざんねんですが、ようじがあるんです。'I'm very sorry, but I have stuff to do, you see.' Another translation could be 'I'm very sorry, but the thing is, I have stuff to do.'
Unfinished sentence
You would use this if the rest of the sentence is either obvious or something you don't want to say (too private, embarrassing etc).
Example: くすりをのんだんですが... 'I drank medicine, but--' (Implied is that it didn't help.)
You write us a book and we study that instead. This is so well explained! Thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteOk. I've asked a Japanese (not a native speaker, though). She explained to me the situation with ~n desu and desu kara. ~n desu is to be used between equals and towards higher-up. You are taking responsibility for your excuse. Desu kara is used towards your juniors and it would be putting the blame on someone else(and not at all good) if you use it to equals and higher-up people.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, that would fit the general idea that the から construction is 'stronger' while んです is 'more subtle'.
ReplyDeleteBased on our sensei's explanation and this feedback, I think the 'you see' translation comes pretty close to conveying the difference in meaning (where から would translate to a straightforward 'because'). You would also use 'you see' in English in a context where you're acting humble.
E.g. imagine your boss spots you at work at midday putting on your coat. He asks: 'Why are you leaving so early?'
The response 'Because my daughter was taken ill.' (equiv. to から) might be seen as a bit direct. On the other hand, 'Well, my daughter was taken ill, you see.' (equiv. to んです) would be more acceptable.
I think in Japanese culture, the hierarchy is stricter and 'harsher', so から is used less often than 'because' is used in the west.