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I know what "no da" and "n da" are for. When I hear the question something like "nani wo shite iru no?" from a friend, I wonder: can the question "nani wo shite iru n da?" be used instead? Do they mean exactly the same meaning or is there any difference in connotation?
or
doko e iku no? --> doko e iku n da?
In other words, can "(na) no?" always be replaced with "(na) n da?" in a question when talking to friends? Will this soound a bit more direct and masculine?
In other words, can "(na) no?" always be replaced with "(na) n da?" in a question when talking to friends? Will this sound a bit more direct and masculine?
Yes. Exactly. It sounds a bit more direct and masculine.
If you are a man, you can almost always exchange each other.
On the other hand, if you are a woman, you had better not replace "(na) no?" with "(na) n da?". It sounds weird.
it sounds a bit more indirect and masculine. --> why indirect? you meant more direct rather?