Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 23
Structure of んだけど:
Phrase (A) + のだ(1) + が(2) + Phrase (B)
(1) んだ
(2) けれども、けれど、けども、けど
Details about んだけど:
んだけど is an expression that combines んだ (explaining/giving cause), with けど (but). Together they translate simply as 'but...', although the nuance is actually closer to 'but with (A) as the reason… (B)', while (B) is sometimes left unsaid. This implies that the speaker is looking for a reply, or does not want to say the (B) part of the sentence out of politeness/awkwardness.
んだけど、んだけれど、んだけれども、んだが、んですが
ん may be replaced with の in any of the above expressions. However, it will again make it slightly more formal.
- 助かるんだけど一人でできるから帰ってもいいよ。I feel like you are being helpful, but I can handle it by myself, so you can go home.
- 私は明日に釣りに行くのですが先輩も行きませんか?I am going to go fishing tomorrow, but senpai, do you also want to go?
- 新しいパソコンを買いたいのだけど...どれを買えばいいか分からない。I want to buy a new computer, but… I don't know which one to buy.
んだけど、んだけれど、んだけれども、んだが、んですが
ん may be replaced with の in any of the above expressions. However, it will again make it slightly more formal.
んだけど
Usage Notes for んだけど:
んだが, or simply だが is probably the 'strongest' out of these possibilities, and is considered quite masculine. If you are going to use this form, we recommend making sure that your tone is a bit softer, so that it does not sound too authoritative.
Synonyms for んだけど:
Example of んだけど
「明日映画館に行かない?」
「行きたいんだけど (明日試験があるから、行けない)。」
'Won't you go to the cinema tomorrow?'
'I'd like to go, but… (I have an exam tomorrow, so I can't).'
新しい時計を買いたいのですが (どちらがいいでしょうか)。
I would like to buy a new watch, but… (which one would be good?)
「昨日の告白はどうなったの?」
「こくはくしたんだけど (ふられた)。」
'How did yesterday's confession go?'
'I confessed but… (I was rejected).'
窓が開いているからちょっと寒いんですが (どうか窓を閉めていただけませんか?)。
Since the window is open, it is a bit cold (and…) (I wonder if you wouldn't mind closing it?).
「あの男、顔がいいね。」
「顔はいいんだけど (なんか性格がわるそう)。」
'That guy, he has nice features, don't you think?'
'He has nice features, but… (It seems that he has a bad personality).'
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