When you first start learning Japanese, you are sure to run into the word です, especially when you learn basic Japanese sentences like “it is a pen” ペンです. This well-known sentence-ending word is frequently found in Japanese conversations and learning materials. While many may assume that です simply translates to “is” or “to be,” it can actually be used in various different contexts.
Let’s explore the different ways to utilize です that every Japanese learner should be aware of. From its meaning to its usage in different sentence structures, you’ll gain a more comprehensive understanding of this word. Let’s get started!
The Meaning of “desu”
In Japanese, です serves various purposes. It can be translated as “to be,” and “is.” As a copula verb, です connects a subject to its complement or predicate.
You may have noticed です appearing at the end of numerous sentences, acting as an indicator of formality or politeness. In some instances, です can change a casual sentence or expression into a more polite one.
Using Desu
Positive Form
Noun + です
One of the first grammatical structures introduced in Japanese lessons is the combination of a noun with です. This creates a simple, affirmative sentence in the present tense. The phrase “N + desu” can also have an explanatory or confirmatory function. In this case, です functions as “is,” “am,” and “are.”
メイです。
I’m Mei.
犬です。
It’s a dog.
私たちは友達です。
Watashitachi ha tomodachi desu.
We are friends.
Adjectives + です
As my wise grammar teacher once said, “adjectives add flavor to the language.” Adjectives modify nouns by describing their qualities and characteristics. When forming a sentence using Japanese adjectives, the structure is similar to the first pattern we discussed. Simply add です after the adjective, and the sentence is complete. In Japanese, there are two types of adjectives: い (i) adjectives and な (na) adjectives.
Let’s look at examples of how です interacts with each of these adjective types.
い Adjective + です
この食べ物はおいしいです。
Kono tabemono ha oishii desu.
This food is delicious.
In contexts where the noun is understood, it may be omitted from the conversation. For example, if it is clear that we are discussing the “food,” we could simply say “おいしいです,” and it would still be grammatically correct. Even if we just say “おいしい,” the meaning remains clear. In this case, です serves as a polite attribute, adding a level of formality to the expression.
Here is another example:
この本は面白いです。
Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu.
This book is interesting.
な adjectives work the same way, simply add the adjective before です without the な.
For example:
な Adjective + です
彼は静かです。
Kare wa shizuka desu.
He is quiet.
Negative Form
To create negative sentences using です, the word じゃない (ja nai) or ではない (de wa nai) is added instead. This changes the meaning of the sentence from positive to negative.
Noun + じゃないです/ではないです
これは猫じゃないです。
Kore wa neko ja nai desu.
This is not a cat.
彼は医者ではないです。
Kare wa isha de wa nai desu.
He is not a doctor.
Adjectives + じゃないです/ではないです
For い adjectives, replace い with くない before adding です. For な adjectives, simply add じゃないです or ではないです after the adjective.
い Adjective + くないです
この食べ物はおいしくないです。
Kono tabemono wa oishiku nai desu.
This food is not delicious.
な Adjective + じゃないです/ではないです
彼女はきれいじゃないです。
Kanojo ha kirei ja nai desu.
She is not beautiful.
Past Tense – Affirmative
To create a sentence in the past tense, replace です with でした (deshita) for nouns and な adjectives. For い adjectives, replace い with かった before adding です.
Noun + でした
昨日は木曜日でした。
Kinō wa mokuyoubi deshita.
Yesterday was Thursday.
い Adjective + かったです
昨日の天気は暑かったです。
Kinō no tenki wa atsukatta desu.
Yesterday’s weather was hot.
な Adjective + でした
彼は元気でした。
Kare wa genki deshita.
He was well.
Past Tense – Negative
For past tense negative sentences, replace です with じゃなかったです or ではなかったです for nouns and な adjectives. For い adjectives, replace い with くなかった before adding です.
Noun + じゃなかったです/ではなかったです
あれは犬じゃなかったです。
Are wa inu ja nakatta desu.
That wasn’t a dog.
い Adjective + くなかったです
そのりんごはおいしくなかったです。
Sono ringo wa oishikunakatta desu.
That apple was not delicious.
な Adjective + じゃなかったです/ではなかったです
彼は静かじゃなかったです。
Kare wa shizuka ja nakatta desu
He was not quiet.
Desu vs. Da
です (desu) and だ (da) are both copula verbs used to link a subject to a predicate or an adjective to a noun. However, there are some differences in their usage.
The main difference between です and だ is their level of politeness.です is the more polite form and is commonly used in formal settings or when addressing people who are older, higher in rank, or unfamiliar. On the other hand, だ is the less polite form and is used in casual or informal situations.
Another difference is in their sentence-ending forms. です is always followed by a polite sentence ending particle such as ～ます (masu) or ～ました (mashita) in polite speech. In contrast, だ does not require a sentence-ending particle in casual speech, but it can be followed by sentence-ending particles such as ～よ (yo) or ～ね (ne) to add emphasis or express emotions.
Remember, learning a new language takes time and practice. Continue to study, practice with native speakers, and expose yourself to authentic Japanese content to improve your understanding of how to use です in different contexts.
