Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 4: 12/21

んだって

I heard that, He or She said that

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb + んだって
[い]Adjective + んだって
[な]Adjective + + んだって
Noun + + んだって

Details

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About んだって

When used at the end of sentences, だって often expresses something that has been heard by the speaker. This particular use of だって will always be paired with ん or なん.
As だって is a grouping of the auxiliary verb , and the adverbial particle って, なんだって primarily expresses the following:
なん - Presents an explanation.
だ - Determines something to be true.
って - An abbreviation of と()って 'is said' or と(おも)って 'is thought'.
In this way, it translates quite similarly to 'it is that (A) was said/thought'. Realistically though, it is used in the same way as 'I heard that (A)', or 'it's thought that (A)'.
  • サクラちゃん来年(らいねん)結婚(けっこん)するんだって。うらやましいね。
    I heard that Sakura-chan is going to get married next year. I am jealous, aren't you?
  • タケル(くん)(あたら)しいおもちゃ(ほし)しいんだって。どうしよう?()てあげる
    I heard that Takeru-kun is wanting a new toy. What should we do? Should we buy it for him?
  • あの博士(はかせ)(すご)(こと)()っているように聞こえるけど(じつ)()ていること全部(ぜんぶ)適当(てきとう)んだって
    It sounds like that scientist is saying some amazing stuff, but I heard that everything he says is hot air.
  • タクミさんはレスラーみたいな(からだ)しているけど()なスポーツはフィギュアスケートなんだって
    Takumi-san has a body like a wrestler, but I heard that his favorite sport is figure skating.
Caution
なんだって usually comes across as being quite casual, so is best used in conversations with friends.

Examples

  • トムは、また(もと)カノと()()っているんだって

    (Someone) said that Tom is back with his ex-girlfriend.

    '元カノ' is a contraction of '元彼女'.

  • 来年(らいねん)(はる)ごろに、(かれ)故郷(こきょう)(かえ)んだって

    (Someone) said that he will return to his hometown around next spring.

  • (かれ)真面目(まじめ)んだって

    (Someone) said that he is pretty serious.

  • あの(ひと)には()からないんだって何回(なんかい)()っても。

    (Someone) said that person doesn't get it. No matter how many times you tell her/him.

  • やっと旅行(りょこう)()けるんだって(かね)()まったから。

    (They) said that (they) can finally travel. Because (they) saved up money.

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んだって – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • Anthropos888

    Anthropos888

    About 4 years ago

    Are んだって and だって interchangeable in their meaning “I heard”? When exactly do I have to use one or the other?

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 4 years ago

    @Anthropos888
    Hey
    Main difference is だって can only follow nouns, while んだって can also follow adjectives and verbs.
    Plus んだって has more emphasis.

    Another difference is that だって can mean because when used on the begining of the sentence. んだって cannot.

  • Anthropos888

    Anthropos888

    About 4 years ago

    Thanks! Will try to remember that

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