Processing keyword: ～んだって (〜n datte)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～んだって (〜n datte)

1. Introduction

In casual Japanese conversations, you might often hear people ending their sentences with ～んだって (〜n datte). This grammar point is a colloquial way to express hearsay or convey information that you've heard from someone else. Understanding how to use ～んだって will help you sound more natural when sharing news or gossip in Japanese.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～んだって is used to report information that you've heard indirectly.
• It translates to "I heard that...", "They say that...", or "It's said that..." in English.
• This expression adds a sense of hearsay or rumor to your statement.

Structure

Formation Diagram

Type	Plain Form	+ んだって	Example
Verb	食べる (taberu)	食べるんだって	食べるんだって (taberu n datte)
い-adjective	おいしい (oishii)	おいしいんだって	おいしいんだって (oishii n datte)
な-adjective	静か な (shizuka na)	静かなんだって	静かなんだって (shizuka nan datte)
Noun	学生 だ (gakusei da)	学生なんだって	学生なんだって (gakusei nan datte)

Detailed Explanation

• Breaking it Down:
  • んだ: A contraction of のだ, which is used for emphasis or explanation.
  • って: A casual quoting particle indicating hearsay or quotation.
• When combined, ～んだって attaches to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns to indicate that the speaker is conveying information they heard from someone else.

How to Form

1. Verbs: Use the plain form of the verb.
   • 食べる → 食べるんだって
2. い-adjectives: Use the adjective as-is.
   • 高い → 高いんだって
3. な-adjectives: Add な before んだって.
   • 好き → 好きなんだって
4. Nouns: Add な before んだって.
   • 先生 → 先生なんだって

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3. Comparative Analysis

～んだって vs. ～そうです (Hearsay)

	～んだって	～そうです
Formality	Casual	Formal
Used In	Spoken language among peers	Spoken and written language
Example (Casual)	明日は雨なんだって。	N/A
Example (Formal)	N/A	明日は雨だそうです。
Translation	"I heard it's going to rain tomorrow."	"I heard it's going to rain tomorrow."

• Key Difference: Use ～んだって in casual settings and ～そうです in formal contexts.

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4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Informal Spoken
   • Japanese: 彼、引っ越すんだって。
   • Romaji: Kare, hikkosu n datte.
   • Translation: I heard that he's moving.
2. Informal Spoken
   • Japanese: このケーキ、おいしいんだって。
   • Romaji: Kono kēki, oishii n datte.
   • Translation: I heard this cake is delicious.
3. Informal Spoken
   • Japanese: 新しい映画、すごく面白いんだって。
   • Romaji: Atarashii eiga, sugoku omoshiroi n datte.
   • Translation: I heard the new movie is really interesting.
4. Informal Spoken
   • Japanese: 田中さんは結婚するなんだって。
   • Romaji: Tanaka-san wa kekkon suru nan datte.
   • Translation: I heard that Tanaka-san is getting married.

Conversation Example

• Person A: ねえ、知ってる？山田さん、会社を辞めるんだって。
  • Romaji: Nē, shitteru? Yamada-san, kaisha o yameru n datte.
  • Translation: Hey, did you know? I heard that Yamada-san is quitting the company.
• Person B: 本当？それは驚きだね。
  • Romaji: Hontō? Sore wa odoroki da ne.
  • Translation: Really? That's surprising.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Casual Speech: Using ～んだって is a hallmark of casual, everyday Japanese speech.
• Social Circles: Commonly used among friends, classmates, or family members.
• Indirect Communication: Reflects the Japanese preference for indirect communication when sharing news or gossip.

Levels of Politeness

• Avoid in Formal Settings: Do not use ～んだって when speaking to superiors, elders, or in professional environments.
• Formal Alternatives:
  • Use ～そうです or ～とのことです for politeness.
    • Example: 来週、会議があるそうです。– "I heard there's a meeting next week."

Idiomatic Expressions

• Adding さ for Emphasis:
  • ～んだってさ adds a casual emphasis, similar to "you know" or "they say."
    • Example: 新しいレストラン、すごく人気なんだってさ。
    • Translation: I heard the new restaurant is really popular, you know.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using in Formal Contexts
   • Mistake: 部長は出張するんだって。
     • Using ～んだって when referring to a superior.
   • Correction: 部長は出張するそうです。
     • Replace with ～そうです for formality.
2. Forgetting the な before んだって with Nouns and な-Adjectives
   • Mistake: 彼は医者んだって。
   • Correction: 彼は医者なんだって。
     • Remember to add な before んだって with nouns and な-adjectives.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • Think of んだって as the contraction "んだ" (explanatory) + "って" (casual quoting).
• Practice:
  • Listen to casual Japanese conversations or dramas to hear ～んだって in context.
• Tip:
  • When in doubt about formality, opt for ～そうです to stay polite.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Function: ～んだって conveys information you heard indirectly in casual speech.
• Formation: Attach んだって to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and after な for nouns/な-adjectives.
• Usage: Use in informal settings among peers; avoid in formal contexts.
• Alternatives: Use ～そうです in formal situations for hearsay.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Question: How do you say "I heard that she bought a new car" using ～んだって?
   • Answer: 彼女は新しい車を買ったんだって。
2. Question: Is it appropriate to use ～んだって when speaking to your boss?
   • Answer: No, you should use ～そうです to maintain formality.
3. Fill in the Blank: あの店は有名___。
   • Answer: あの店は有名なんだって。

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By mastering ～んだって, you can effectively share information you've heard and sound more like a native speaker in casual conversations. Remember to be mindful of the context and switch to formal expressions when necessary.

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