LLearn Japanese

Question about “Kuru n desu” to explain something vs “kimasu” to talk about a fact

At about 8:40 in Pimsleur’s Level 2 Lesson 4, they explain

>”Kurun desu” is “coming” when it’s used to explain something. The word “kimasu” is used to talk about a fact.

I’m not sure what this means though. In the examples for the former, the speaker says an acquaintance is coming to excuse themselves from the conversation. Is that what they mean by “is used to explain something”, that you say “kurun desu” when you need to justify why you need to do something i.e. leave the conversation?

Edit: Changed “kuru n desu” to “kurun desu” since I think that’s how it’s actually spelled?

3 comments

  2. Yeah. If the speaker thinks that the listener will have any doubts about something, then they can preemptively explain something with the explanatory の. The explanatory の can also be used in a lot of other situations too, like asking and answering questions, giving warnings/orders, or even as a conversation starter to pique someone’s interest.

    edit: I forgot to clarify that ん is the abbreviated version of の

  3. The grammar structure of んです is used for explanation.

    e.g.

    わたしはきます。 (I am coming/I will come)

    わたしはくるんです。([Because] I am coming/[Because] I will come)

    It’s the difference of stating a fact and explaining why an action is happening.

    another example: そとはさむいです。(It’s cold outside)

    VS.

    Question: どうしてうわぎをきていますか？ (Why are you wearing a jacket?)

    Answer: そとはさむい**んです**。 ([Because] it’s cold outside)

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