[A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B] (のは〜だ) – Japanese Grammar のは〜だ (nowa~da)

Q: What JLPT level is のは〜だ?

JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences

Q: How do you use のは〜だ in a sentence?

Attach のは〜だ to the appropriate verb or noun form. [A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B]

Q: Is のは〜だ formal or casual Japanese?

のは〜だ can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

のは〜だ

N4 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

nowa~da

[A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B]

ことができる koto ga dekiru たところ ta tokoro 始める hajimeru と to それでも sore demo までに made ni お～になる o~ni naru ございます gozaimasu 必要がある hitsuyou ga aru だけで dake de 間に aida ni てみる te miru がる・がっている garu; gatteiru は〜が… は wa~ga... wa なさい nasai てくれる te kureru ようにする you ni suru おきに oki ni そうに・そうな sou ni / sou na かい kai ことができる koto ga dekiru たところ ta tokoro 始める hajimeru と to それでも sore demo までに made ni お～になる o~ni naru ございます gozaimasu 必要がある hitsuyou ga aru だけで dake de 間に aida ni てみる te miru がる・がっている garu; gatteiru は〜が… は wa~ga... wa なさい nasai てくれる te kureru ようにする you ni suru おきに oki ni そうに・そうな sou ni / sou na かい kai

🃏 Flashcard

のは〜だ

nowa~da

Tap to reveal usage

[A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B]

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N4

Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences

Reading nowa~da

Post ID 50745

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

[A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B]

📖 How to use it

The pattern のは〜だ is used to emphasize or identify a specific element (B) within a sentence, often to state a reason, fact, or person.

Attaches to The pattern attaches to a clause ending in a plain form (dictionary form, ない-form, past tense) before のは. After のは, place the emphasized element (noun, な-adjective stem, or clause with から/ため) followed by だ.

This pattern splits a sentence into two parts: the topic (A) and the comment (B). The part before のは is the action or situation you want to comment on, and the part after だ is the focus—what you want to emphasize. For example, in '日本に行ったのは去年です', the focus is '去年' (last year). The pattern is commonly used to explain reasons: '遅れたのは電車が止まったからです' (The reason I was late is that the train stopped). In spoken Japanese, the だ at the end can become です for politeness. Be careful with word order: the part before のは must be a full clause ending in a plain form, and の acts as a nominalizer, turning the clause into a noun phrase. The emphasized part after のは can be a noun, time expression, or a clause with から.

私がここに来たのは、あなたに会いたかったからです。

Watashi ga koko ni kita no wa, anata ni aitakatta kara desu.

The reason I came here is because I wanted to see you.

昨日買ったのは、この本です。

Kinou katta no wa, kono hon desu.

What I bought yesterday is this book.

日本語を勉強するのは楽しいです。

Nihongo o benkyou suru no wa tanoshii desu.

Studying Japanese is fun.

Not のは〜だ vs. のは〜からだ Use のは〜だ when the emphasized part is a noun or adjective (e.g., '買ったのは本だ'). Use のは〜からだ when you specifically emphasize a reason (e.g., '遅れたのは電車が止まったからだ').

Register This pattern is neutral and can be used in both speaking and writing; in casual speech, だ may be omitted or replaced with だよ.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

のは〜だ

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat のは〜だ three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using のは〜だ. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N4 Patterns

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のに

to (do something); in order to

お～ください

please do (honorific)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern のは〜だ mean? ▼

[A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B]

What JLPT level is のは〜だ? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use のは〜だ in a sentence? ▼

Attach のは〜だ (nowa~da) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is のは〜だ formal or casual Japanese? ▼

のは〜だ is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember のは〜だ long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.