This is a casual way to ask a question. You can use it to show surprise or to check something.
Verb [plain form] + の？Primary
い-Adjective [plain form] + の？
な-Adjective + な + の？
Noun + な + の？
This is a casual way to ask a question. You can use it to show surprise or to check something.
その話、本当なの？
Is that story true?
どうして昨日パーティーに来なかったの？
Why didn't you come to the party yesterday?
もう帰るの？まだ早いでしょ。
You're going home already? It's still early, isn't it?
すみません、この席、空いてるの？
Excuse me, is this seat available?
今日のテスト、思ったより難しかったの？
Was today's test harder than you thought?
Both "〜の？" and "〜のか？" ask questions. "〜の？" is soft. It sounds like you are curious. It is often used by women or children. But anyone can use it casually. "〜のか？" is much stronger. It can sound like a demand. You might use it to ask for a reason. For polite questions, use "〜んですか？"
Watch out: When you ask a question about a noun or a な-adjective, you need to add な before の. For example, say "Is he a student?" as "彼は学生なの？" Do not say "彼は学生の？" Also say "Is it quiet here?" as "ここは静かなの？" Do not say "ここは静かの？" The な is important here.
Use this when you ask a question. Make your voice go up at the end. If your voice goes down, you are giving an explanation. It is like saying "because" or "the reason is".
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