Imagine you’re on a train and you see someone who looks unwell. Being the kind and thoughtful person you are, you speak up:

「どうなさったんですか？」 – Is something wrong?
「ご気分でも悪いんですか？」 – Are you feeling unwell?
「はい。ちょっと寒いんです。」 – Yes, I feel a little cold.

In this situation, by using “〜んです,” there’s an emotional subtext in the conversation.
You, the speaker, are conveying feelings like:

“They look unwell. I wonder what’s going on? I care enough to ask. Please tell me.”

Meanwhile, the person responding might be thinking:

“I’m not feeling great, and I want to express that. Maybe I have a fever. I’d like someone to help me.”

This is the core of what “〜んです” does—it carries a feeling or emotional involvement toward the listener.

Let’s compare two statements:

① 寒いんです。 – I feel cold (and I want you to know).
② 寒いです。 – It’s cold.

Between these two, statement ① with “んです” is more likely to invite concern and responses such as:

“Are you okay?”
“Do you have a fever?”
“Maybe the air-conditioning is too strong?”

On the other hand, ② sounds more objective, like a simple observation about the temperature. It lacks the nuance that you’re trying to express something personal or draw attention to how you feel.

Using “〜んですか？” to Ask Questions

Now, imagine a friend uploads a beautiful photo on Instagram. The landscape is stunning, and you want to know more. You might ask:

「どこに行ったんですか？」 – Where did you go?
「ここは遠いんですか？」 – Is this place far from here?

What you’re really saying is:

“That looks amazing! Please tell me more!”

Using “〜んですか？” here expresses curiosity and invites the other person to explain. It shows genuine interest and emotional involvement.

If you instead asked:
「どこに行きましたか？」 – Where did you go?
…it might sound more like a basic fact-check, lacking warmth or the nuance of your feelings.

Final Thoughts

Of course, non-verbal cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures help convey feelings too. But grammatically, “〜んです” is a powerful way to show your emotions and engage with the person you’re speaking to.

Whether you’re showing concern, expressing your situation, or trying to learn more about someone else’s experience, “〜んです” helps you do so in a soft, connected, and thoughtful way.

Try using it more often—you’ll find it very useful in daily conversation!