Grammar Point

のだ

the expectation is that ..., the reason is that ..., the fact is that ..., the explanation is that ..., it is that ...

の and ん add emphasis

Verb or い-Adjective + のだ / んだ

This formation is used with verbs and い-adjectives to provide an explanation, emphasize a reason, or ask for clarification based on the current situation.

Verb (Informal Form)

The informal form of the verb (present or past) is followed directly by のだ or んだ.


The fact is that I am going to the library.

It is because I ate too much.

い-Adjective

The informal form of an い-adjective (present or past) is followed directly by のだ or んだ.


The reason is that it is cold.

It's because it was expensive.

Note

のだ is more formal and used in writing, while んだ is the conversational version used in daily speech. When used as a question, the 'だ' is often dropped and replaced with a rising intonation (e.g., 行くの?).

な-Adjective or Noun + な + のだ / んだ

When using な-adjectives or nouns in the present tense, the particle な must be placed between the word and のだ / んだ. This explains a state or identity.

な-Adjective

Add な to the stem of the な-adjective before adding のだ or んだ.


The fact is that it is quiet.

It's because I like it.

Noun

Add な to the noun before adding のだ or んだ.


The explanation is that I am a student.

It's because it is a holiday.

Note

For the past tense of nouns and な-adjectives, use だったのだ or だったんだ. You cannot say 'Noun だ のだ'.



Radicals of radicals