Casual way to explain something
Reporting what someone said
のって and んだって both involve quoting or reporting, but they serve different purposes.
のって (sometimes written ～のだって or ～んだって) is used for hearsay - reporting what someone else said:
I heard it's going to rain tomorrow.
んだって with emphasis on の/ん is used for seeking or giving explanations. It's the casual form of のですって:
Why (are you saying) you didn't come?
Key difference:
• Hearsay のって/んだって = "I heard that..." (reporting others' words)
• Explanatory んだって = "Is it that...?" / "It's because..." (seeking/giving reasons)
Context and intonation help distinguish them. Rising intonation usually signals a question seeking explanation.
のって = YOUR explanation, んだって = SOMEONE ELSE's info
- ✅ 遅れたのって、電車が遅れたから (explaining yourself)
- ✅ 田中さんが転職するんだって (reporting what you heard)
Don't mix them up
- ❌ 遅れたんだって、電車が遅れたから (wrong — this is your own explanation)
- ❌ 田中さんが転職するのって (wrong — this is hearsay, not your explanation)
The reason I was late is because the train stopped.
I heard that Tanaka-san is changing jobs.
The reason I'm not going to school today is because I caught a cold.
I heard it's going to rain tomorrow.
Find real examples
Discover this pattern in manga, dramas & more
Save for spaced repetition
Add sentences to your study deck
Question 1 of 4
Practice のって vs んだって and other grammar patterns with manga, dramas, and more.
Start learning free