〜のは〜だ
〜のは〜だ means what/who/when ... is .... It is a JLPT N4 grammar point. 「のは〜だ」 turns the first clause into a noun-like idea and explains or emphasizes it afterward. It is natural when identifying or highlighting something, as in "what I want is this." Use the plain form for verbs and i-adjectives, and add 「な」 after na-adjectives.
Japanese sources describe it as 「内容を取り立てて言う」.
〜のは〜だ examples
私が見たいのはこの映画です。
What I want to watch is this movie.
毎日使うのはこのかばんです。
The bag I use every day is this one.
〜のは〜だ exercises
Pick what belongs in the parentheses. The answer is marked below.
私が飲みたい（ ）水です。
- のは ✓
- ので
- のに
- ことに
What I want to drink is water.
私が買った（ ）この本です。
- ので
- ために
- のは ✓
- 場合は
What I bought is this book.
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