GRAMMAR
〜のは〜の方だ
it is ~ that ~
Explanation
NOTE
〜のは〜の方だ is a cleft construction used to emphasize which subject performs a certain action. It highlights the agent or doer rather than the action.
This pattern is equivalent to saying It is X that does Y — placing emphasis on X as the one responsible.
先に謝るべきなのは彼の方だ。
It is him who should apologize first.
This structure emphasizes the subject by placing it after 'no wa' and before 'no hou da', often used to clarify responsibility or contrast.
STRUCTURE
V普のはN辞の方だ
間違えたのは私の方だ。
Machigaeta no wa watashi no hou da.
It is I who made the mistake.
最初に声をかけたのは彼女の方だ。
Saisho ni koe o kaketa no wa kanojo no hou da.
It was she who spoke first.
問題を起こしたのは上司の方だ。
Mondai o okoshita no wa joushi no hou da.
It is the boss who caused the problem.
Practice exercises
1
嘘をついたのは彼女のは。
It is she who told the lie.
Answer
のはの方だ
2
先に怒ったのは君のは。
It is you who got angry first.
Answer
のはの方だ
3
この仕事を頼んだのは上司のは。
It is my boss who asked for this job.
Answer
のはの方だ
4
計画を変更したのは担当者のは。
It is the person in charge who changed the plan.
Answer
のはの方だ
5
最初に提案を却下したのは委員長のは。
It is the committee chair who rejected the proposal first.
Answer
のはの方だ
6
料理が下手なのは、私の方だ。
It is me that is bad at cooking.
Answer
の方だ
7
料理が下手なのは〜の方だ私だ。
It is me who is bad at cooking.
Answer
のは〜の方だ
8
泣いているのは弟のは。
It is my younger brother who is crying.
Answer
のはの方だ