How to Say ‘It's secondhand.’ in Japanese
古着なんです。
furugi na n desu
[foo-ROO-gee nah n dess]
💬 Usage Tip: なんです (nan desu) adds a sense of explaining or sharing background, softer than a flat 古着です. You'll hear it constantly in conversation.
Phrase Breakdown
古着
furugi
[foo-ROO-gee]
used clothes; vintage clothing
Second-hand or vintage clothes.
古着が好きです。
I like vintage clothes.
な
na
[nah]
(explanatory linker before ん)
Connects a noun to the explanatory んです pattern.
学生なんです。
I'm a student, you see.
ん
n
[n]
explanatory tone
Adds explanation or background to what the speaker is saying.
写真のプロジェクトをしているんだ。
I'm doing a photography project, you know.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
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