Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To say 'A is B', use the pattern: [Subject] + は + [Noun/Adjective] + です.
- Use は (wa) to mark the topic: {私|わたし}は {学生|がくせい}です (I am a student).
- End with です (desu) to be polite: {彼|かれ}は {先生|せんせい}です (He is a teacher).
- The topic marker は is written as 'ha' but pronounced 'wa'.
Overview
A は B です (A は B です) structure forms the bedrock of Japanese declarative sentences, enabling you to identify, describe, and state facts about people, objects, and concepts. At the A1 level, mastering this fundamental pattern is paramount, as it facilitates initial self-introductions, basic descriptions, and the affirmation of truths. Unlike English, which often focuses on an active subject performing an action, Japanese frequently highlights the topic about which information is being conveyed.A) and then provide information or an attribute (B) about it, all while maintaining a polite and formal tone suitable for most introductory interactions. Think of it as establishing a context or frame (A), and then filling that frame with content (B). This pattern is ubiquitous, appearing in everything from formal speeches to casual social media posts, making it an essential building block for any aspiring Japanese speaker.How This Grammar Works
A は B です sentence relies on two core components: the particle は (wa) and the copula です (desu). Understanding their individual functions is crucial for grasping the overall sentence meaning.は(Topic Marker):
は serves as the topic marker. Its primary role is to introduce the topic of the sentence – what the sentence is *about*. This is distinct from the grammatical subject (who or what performs an action), although the topic often coincides with the subject.は emphasizes the element it marks as the focus of discussion, setting the stage and signaling to the listener, As for this thing, here is what I am going to tell you.This approach to structuring information often reflects a speaker's desire to first establish common ground or context before conveying new information.
- Pronunciation: Although written with the hiragana character
は(ha), which usually represents the sound /ha/, when used specifically as a particle, it is always pronouncedwa. This historical phonetic shift is a remnant of older Japanese phonology and must be memorized. Incorrectly pronouncing ithawhen functioning as a particle is a common beginner error and immediately signals a lack of fundamental Japanese knowledge. - Function:
はtakes an element (typically a noun or a noun phrase) and elevates it to the sentence's topic. Everything that followsはin the sentence then provides information, a description, or a predicate related to that established topic. This structure allows for a more contextual and less agent-focused communication style than many Western languages, where the grammatical subject is usually paramount. - Example 1:
私|わたし は田中です。 (Watashi wa Tanaka desu.) –As for me, I am Tanaka.
Here,私|わたしis clearly designated as the topic. - Example 2: 日本
は島国です。 (Nihon wa shimaguni desu.) –As for Japan, it is an island nation.
The statement clarifies a fact about the topic, Japan. - Example 3: 私の 仕事
は教員です。 (Watashi no shigoto wa kyouin desu.) –My job is a teacher.
Here,私|わたし}の 仕事is the topic.
です(Copula / Politeness Marker):
です functions simultaneously as a copula and a politeness marker. As a copula, it connects the topic (A) to the predicate (B), effectively acting as the English verbs is, am, or are. More profoundly, です declares the preceding statement as a fact or truth, giving the sentence a sense of finality and certainty. It solidifies the link between the topic and its attribute.- Politeness: At the A1 level,
ですis critical because it renders sentences polite (丁寧語 ていねいご). This is the default and safest form for speaking with people you don't know well, elders, or in formal settings. Omittingですor replacing it with its casual equivalent (だ) without proper understanding can sound blunt, rude, or overly familiar, which can be a significant social misstep in Japanese culture. - Pronunciation: The final
uinですis typically devoiced (whispered or omitted), especially when it follows a voiceless consonant (likes) and is at the end of a phrase. This makes it sound closer todessordes.Pronouncing theudistinctly (desu-u) sounds unnatural and is another common marker of a non-native speaker. This devoicing is a fundamental aspect of Japanese phonology, where high vowels (iandu) frequently lose their voicing in specific phonetic contexts. - Pitch Accent:
ですgenerally has a flat pitch accent (平板型 へいばんがた), meaning there's no sharp drop in pitch on the syllablesu. Consistency in pitch helps convey naturalness. - Example 1: これ
は本です。 (Kore wa hon desu.) –This is a book.
ですdeclares the identity ofこれpolitely. - Example 2: 私
は学生です。 (Watashi wa gakusei desu.) –I am a student.
Declares identity politely. - Example 3: 彼
は先生です。 (Kare wa sensei desu.) –He is a teacher.
Politely states his profession.
は and です establish a framework where a topic is introduced, and a polite, declarative statement is made about it. This fundamental pairing forms the basis for expressing identification and attribution in Japanese.Word Order Rules
A は B です sentences, です acts as the predicate, therefore it consistently occupies the final position.です is non-negotiable for polite declarative sentences.- Core Principle: Predicate Last: The crucial information, the conclusion of your statement, is always delivered at the very end of the sentence in Japanese. This allows speakers to add modifiers and contextual information before revealing the core assertion. It also enables delayed commitment, where a speaker can refine their statement as they speak before delivering the final punchline.
- English: [Subject] [Verb] [Object/Complement]. (e.g.,
I [am] a student.
) - Japanese: [Topic/Subject] [Object/Complement] [Verb/Copula]. (e.g.,
私|わたし は学生です。)
- Flexibility within the Sentence: While the predicate (
です) must always be last, the elements *before*です(especially the topic marked byはand any subsequent elements describing the topic) can exhibit significant flexibility in their order. As long as the particles remain attached to their respective words, the grammatical relationships are preserved. This flexibility can be used for stylistic emphasis or to manage sentence flow. - Example 1:
私|わたし は田中です。 (Watashi wa Tanaka desu.) –I am Tanaka.(Standard) - Example 2: 今日
はいい 天気です。 (Kyou wa ii tenki desu.) –Today, the weather is good.
(Literally:As for today, good weather it is.
) The topic今日|きょうis first, followed by the descriptive noun phraseいい|ii} {天気|てんき. - Example 3: 私の 出身
は東京です。 (Watashi no shusshin wa Toukyou desu.) –My hometown is Tokyo.
(Literally:As for my hometown, it is Tokyo.
) The possessive noun phrase私|わたし}の {出身|しゅっしんacts as the topic.
は clearly marks the topic, and です concludes the statement about it. The material between は and です specifies *what* is being said about the topic, and its internal order can sometimes be rearranged for rhetorical effect without altering the core meaning, as long as particles remain correctly attached.
Formation Pattern
A は B です pattern is remarkably consistent and easy to follow. A is typically a noun or pronoun that serves as the topic, and B is a noun or noun phrase that describes or identifies A. This structure provides three fundamental polite sentence types at the A1 level: affirmative, negative, and interrogative.
A (Topic) | は | B (Description/Identity) | です | Meaning |
は | Noun/Pronoun | です | A is B. |
私|わたし は 学生 です。 (Watashi wa gakusei desu.)
私|わたし (I) is the topic, は marks it, and 学生|がくせい (student) identifies 私|わたし, with です conveying politeness and declaration.
は ペン です。 (Kore wa pen desu.)
これ (this) is the topic, identified as ペン (pen). This is a simple identification of an object.
は 日本人 です。 (Kanojo wa Nihonjin desu.)
彼女|かのじょ (she) is the topic, and 日本人|にほんじん (Japanese person) describes her nationality, a common use for A は B です.
です with a negative copula form. There are two primary polite forms for A1 learners: ではありません (dewa arimasen) and じゃありません (ja arimasen). Both are interchangeable in most contexts, with じゃありません being slightly more common in spoken Japanese due to its more contracted and fluid pronunciation. ではありません is considered slightly more formal.
A (Topic) | は | B (Description/Identity) | Negative Copula | Meaning |
は | Noun/Pronoun | ではありません / じゃありません | A is not B. |
私|わたし は 先生 ではありません。 (Watashi wa sensei dewa arimasen.)
先生|せんせい (teacher) is denied as the identity of 私|わたし (I), using the more formal negative.
は 本 じゃありません。 (Sore wa hon ja arimasen.)
それ (that) is denied as being 本|ほん (book), using the slightly more casual negative.
は 医者 ではありません。 (Kare wa isha dewa arimasen.)
彼|かれ (he) is denied as being 医者|いしゃ (doctor), affirming a different reality.
か (ka) directly after です. In Japanese, no change in word order or intonation (like rising pitch in English) is strictly required to form a question, though rising intonation is common in casual speech. The particle か is the formal and unambiguous marker of a question.
A (Topic) | は | B (Description/Identity) | です | か | Meaning |
は | Noun/Pronoun | です | か | Is A B? |
は 学生 です か。 (Tanaka-san wa gakusei desu ka?)
か particle transforms the statement into a polite question about 田中|たなかさん's identity. This is a common way to confirm information politely.
は 日本語の 本 です か。 (Kore wa Nihongo no hon desu ka?)
これ (this) is a 日本語|にほんごの 本|ほん (Japanese book). (Note: の connects 日本語|にほんご to 本|ほん, indicating possession or description).
は 韓国人 です か。 (Anata wa Kankokujin desu ka?)
あなた's (you) nationality in a polite manner. Often, あなた can be omitted if the listener is clear.
When To Use It
A は B です pattern is a fundamental tool for various declarative and interrogative functions in Japanese, primarily revolving around identification, description, and factual statements. Its broad utility makes it one of the first and most frequently used grammatical structures.- Self-Introductions (
自己紹介じこしょうかい):
私|わたし はアレックスです。 (Watashi wa Alex desu.) –I am Alex.私|わたし はアメリカ人です。 (Watashi wa Amerikajin desu.) –I am American.私|わたし}の 専門は経済学です。 (Watashi no senmon wa keizaigaku desu.`) –My major is economics.
- Identifying People and Objects:
- 彼
は山本さんです。 (Kare wa Yamamoto-san desu.) –He is Mr./Ms. Yamamoto.
- あれ
は大学です。 (Are wa daigaku desu.) –That (over there) is a university.
(Points out something at a distance). - これ
は私の 辞書です。 (Kore wa watashi no jisho desu.) –This is my dictionary.
(Uses the possessiveのparticle to create a noun phrase asB).
- Stating Facts and Attributes:
- 富士山
は山です。 (Fujisan wa yama desu.) –Mt. Fuji is a mountain.
(A geographical fact). - 犬
は動物です。 (Inu wa doubutsu desu.) –Dogs are animals.(A biological classification). - 私の 誕生日
は８月です。 (Watashi no tanjoubi wa hachigatsu desu.) –My birthday is August.
(A personal fact).
- Describing General States (with Na-Adjectives and Nouns):
です follows *nouns* directly, it also combines with Na-adjectives (which behave like nouns in many ways) to form descriptive sentences. For A1 learners, understanding that です can follow these descriptive elements is important for expanding expressive capability.- この 公園
は静かです。 (Kono kouen wa shizuka desu.) –This park is quiet.
(静かしずか is a Na-adjective stem). - 東京
は賑やかです。 (Tokyo wa nigiyaka desu.) –Tokyo is lively.(賑やかにぎやか is another Na-adjective). - 彼の 部屋
は綺麗です。 (Kare no heya wa kirei desu.) –His room is clean/pretty.
(綺麗きれい is a Na-adjective).
- Polite Declarations:
です fundamentally makes any statement polite, regardless of the content. This is crucial for formal communication, interacting with strangers, or showing respect to those of higher social standing. It's the standard, safe default for learners in nearly all introductory social interactions.- 今日
は水曜日です。 (Kyou wa suiyoubi desu.) –Today is Wednesday.(A simple, polite factual statement about the day). - 私の 趣味
は読書です。 (Watashi no shumi wa dokusho desu.) –My hobby is reading.
(A polite statement about a personal interest). - 彼ら
は観光客です。 (Karera wa kankoukyaku desu.) –They are tourists.(A polite classification).
Common Mistakes
A は B です seems simple, several common pitfalls can trip up learners. Understanding these will help you avoid early and persistent errors that can hinder natural communication and comprehension.- Confusing
は(wa) withわ(wa):
は is always written using the hiragana は (ha), even though it is pronounced wa. The character わ (wa) exists (e.g., in わかる わかる – to understand), but it is never used as the topic particle. This is a strict spelling rule rooted in historical kana usage (歴史的仮名遣い れきしてきかなづかい). Mistyping or misspelling this is a direct indicator of a novice. Modern Japanese uses わ for other purposes, often as a feminine sentence-ending particle or as part of certain words, but never for the topic marker.- Incorrect:
私|わたし わ学生です。 - Correct:
私|わたし は学生です。 - Why it's a mistake: Japanese orthography distinguishes between particles and ordinary words. The particle
はis a historical outlier in pronunciation, but its written form is fixed and must be learned as an unbreakable rule.
- Over-pronouncing the
uinです(desu):
u in です is typically devoiced. Articulating it fully (desu-u) makes your Japanese sound stiff, unnatural, and robotic, immediately indicating a lack of fluency. Japanese has many devoiced vowels, particularly u and i, when they fall between voiceless consonants or at the end of a word preceded by a voiceless consonant. Mastering this subtle pronunciation is key to sounding more native-like.- Incorrect:
desu-u(with a clearusound) - Correct:
dess(theuis barely, if at all, audible) - Why it's a mistake: It goes against natural Japanese phonology. Ignoring devoicing makes your speech sound labored and less efficient, which is characteristic of non-native speakers.
- Mistaking
はfor the Subject Markerが(ga):
は marks the topic (what the sentence is about), が marks the grammatical subject (who or what performs the action or is the specific focus of an intransitive predicate, especially when introducing new information or emphasizing the subject). In A は B です sentences, A is generally both the topic and the implied subject, but understanding the conceptual difference is vital for advanced grammar.- Topic (
は): Sets the context. It implies:As for X...orSpeaking of X.... The information *after*はis new and emphasized. Example:象|ぞう は鼻が 長いです。 (Zou wa hana ga nagai desu.) –As for elephants, their noses are long.
(Topic: elephants; Subject of長|ながい: noses). - Subject (
が): Identifies *who* or *what* specifically is doing something or is something, especially when that information is new, contrasted, or being singled out. It implies:It is X that...
orX is the one who...
. Example: 誰が 学生ですか。 (Dare ga gakusei desu ka?) –Who is the student?
(Seeking new information about the subject). - Why it's a mistake: Japanese grammar relies heavily on this distinction for nuance and emphasis. Misusing them can lead to sentences that are grammatically correct but convey an unintended nuance or emphasis, or even make the sentence sound awkward.
- Overusing
私|わたし は(Watashi wa):
I as the subject. In Japanese, if the topic is clearly implied from context, it is often omitted. Continuously stating 私|わたし は can sound redundant and unnatural, especially in casual conversation or when the speaker is clearly talking about themselves. Japanese thrives on contextual understanding and avoiding redundancy.- Instead of:
私|わたし は田中です。私|わたし は学生です。私|わたし は二十歳です。 - More Natural:
私|わたし は田中です。学生です。二十歳です。 (The topic私|わたしcarries over from the first sentence, and it's understood that subsequent statements are still aboutme.) - Why it's a mistake: Japanese thrives on contextual understanding and efficiency. Redundant topic markers detract from natural flow and make speech sound less sophisticated.
- Incorrectly forming negatives with
です:
です with informal negative forms or struggle with the full structure. For instance, です じゃない is a common error. じゃない is the casual negative form of だ, and it generally should not follow the polite です.- Incorrect:
私|わたし は学生ですじゃない。 - Correct (A1 Polite):
私|わたし は学生ではありません。 or私|わたし は学生じゃありません。 - Why it's a mistake: Mixing polite and casual forms within the same phrase (
です+じゃない) creates a grammatically awkward and inconsistent politeness level, often referred to asですます調 ですますちょう
(polite speech) orですます体 ですますたい
(polite form). Maintaining consistent politeness is a key aspect of Japanese communication.
- Assuming Direct Equivalence to English
to beverbs:
です translates to is/am/are, its usage is not identical to English. です primarily denotes identification, description, or predication with nouns/na-adjectives. It does not directly translate to to be in the sense of existence (e.g., There is a book on the desk). For expressing existence, Japanese uses different verbs:
あります (arimasu, for inanimate objects) and います (imasu, for animate beings).- Incorrect: 机
の上に本です。 (To mean:There is a book on the desk.
) - Correct (for existence): 机
の上に本があります。 - Why it's a mistake: A direct, word-for-word translation mindset hinders the acquisition of Japanese conceptual grammar.
ですstates *what* something is, not *that* something exists. This is a conceptual leap fundamental to Japanese.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
A は B です, it is beneficial to briefly contrast it with other seemingly similar or related grammatical structures. This clarifies the specific function of は and です within the broader Japanese linguistic system and prevents common points of confusion as you advance.は(Topic Marker) vs.が(Subject Marker):
は(Topic): Introduces the element that the sentence is *about*. This element is usually already known, established in the context, or presented as general information. The sentence then provides new information *about* this known topic. It implies:As for X...orSpeaking of X.... The emphasis is on the predicate (the information *after*は).はcan mark broader topics that are not necessarily the grammatical subject.- Example 1:
猫|ねこ は動物です。 (Neko wa doubutsu desu.) –Cats are animals.(General statement about cats;動物|どうぶつ}です` is the new information). - Example 2: 日本
は治安が 良いです。 (Nihon wa chian ga yoi desu.) –As for Japan, public safety is good.
(日本|にほんis the topic,治安|ちあんis the subject of良|よ}い. が(Subject): Identifies the grammatical subject of the verb or adjective, often highlighting it as new information, emphasizing it, or distinguishing it from other possibilities. It implies:It is X that...
orX is the one who...
. The emphasis is on the subject marked byが.がstrictly marks the grammatical subject.- Example 1: 誰が 学生
ですか。 (Dare ga gakusei desu ka?) –Who is *the* student?
(Seeking new, specific information about the subject). - Example 2 (for contrast):
私|わたし は田中です。でも、鈴木さんが先生です。 (Watashi wa Tanaka desu. Demo, Suzuki-san ga sensei desu.) –I am Tanaka. But, *Suzuki-san* is the teacher.
(がemphasizes Suzuki-san as *the* teacher, contrasting with others. - Key Takeaway: For
A は B です,Ais typically both the topic and the implied subject. However, understandingはas a topic marker, which sets the scene for what is to be discussed, is more accurate and crucial for later, more complex sentences where the topic and subject diverge.
です(Polite Copula) vs.だ(Casual Copula):
です is the polite form of the copula. Its casual equivalent, which A1 learners should recognize but generally avoid using, is だ (da).です: Used in polite speech (丁寧語 ていねいご) with people you are not close to, superiors, or in formal situations. This is the default and always safe for learners.だ: Used in casual speech (常体 じょうたい) among close friends, family, or when speaking to oneself. Usingだinappropriately can sound rude, arrogant, or overly familiar to a Japanese speaker. It conveys a strong sense of informality.- Example (Polite): 今日
は晴れです。 (Kyou wa hare desu.) –Today is sunny. - Example (Casual): 今日
は晴れだ。 (Kyou wa hare da.) –Today is sunny.(Used only in very familiar contexts). - For A1 learners: Always stick to
ですand its polite negative/interrogative forms. You will learnだand its conjugations when you begin studying casual forms and different speech styles.
です(Identification/Attribution) vs.あります/います(Existence):
です identifies *what* something is or describes its nature, but it does not express existence. For that, Japanese uses different verbs that are specific to the animacy of the subject.です:X is Y.(Identity, description, classification). Used with nouns and Na-adjectives.- それ
は辞書です。 (Sore wa jisho desu.) –That is a dictionary.
(Identifies 'that' as a dictionary). あります(arimasu):X exists./There is X.Used for inanimate objects and abstract concepts. It indicates location or presence.- 部屋
に辞書があります。 (Heya ni jisho ga arimasu.) –There is a dictionary in the room.
(にmarks location,がmarks the subject of existence). います(imasu):X exists./There is X.Used for animate beings (people, animals, often plants in some contexts). It also indicates location or presence.- 庭
に犬がいます。 (Niwa ni inu ga imasu.) –There is a dog in the garden.
(にmarks location,がmarks the subject of existence). - Key Distinction:
ですforms a predicate *about* a topic, stating its nature or identity.あります/いますform a predicate that *affirms the existence* of a subject at a certain location. This distinction is fundamental and must be learned early to avoid significant grammatical errors.
Real Conversations
Understanding the A は B です pattern in theory is one thing; observing its application in authentic communication provides invaluable insight into its practical utility and nuances. These examples demonstrate how native speakers employ this structure in various social contexts.
Scenario 1: First Meeting at a University Event
- Ami: 初めまして。私 は 山本 亜美 です。 (Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Yamamoto Ami desu.) –
Nice to meet you. I am Ami Yamamoto.
- *Usage:* Classic polite self-introduction. 私|わたし is the topic, 山本|やまもと} {亜美|あみ is the identifying noun.
- Ben: ベン です。アメリカ人 です。 (Ben desu. Amerikajin desu.) – "I'm Ben. I'm American."
- *Usage:* 私|わたし は is often omitted when clearly implied. Ben just states his name and nationality directly. This is very common.
- Ami: 学生 です か。 (Gakusei desu ka?) –
Are you a student?
- *Usage:* Polite question about Ben's status. The topic ベンさん (Ben-san) is omitted but understood.
- Ben: はい、学生 です。 専攻 は 日本文学 です。 (Hai, gakusei desu. Senkou wa Nihon bungaku desu.) –
Yes, I am a student. My major is Japanese literature.
- *Usage:* Confirmation (はい), followed by two affirmative statements. 専攻|せんこう (major) becomes the new topic.
Scenario 2: At a Museum with a Friend
- Yuki: これ は 浮世絵 です か。 (Kore wa ukiyoe desu ka?) –
Is this a Ukiyo-e print?
- *Usage:* Identifying an object using これ (this) as the topic.
- Ren: いいえ、あれ は 違います。あれ は 日本画 です。 (Iie, are wa chigaimasu. Are wa Nihonga desu.) – "No, that's different. That is a Nihonga painting."
- *Usage:* Negative response (here 違|ちが}います instead of じゃありません for emphasis), then correcting with a new identification. あれ (that over there) becomes the topic.
- Yuki: そう です か。美しい ですね。 (Sou desu ka. Utsukushii desu ne.) – "Is that so? It's beautiful, isn't it?"
- *Usage:* そう|sou} です か is a common phrase meaning ですIs that right? or I see. The second part shows following an i-adjective (美|うつく}しい – beautiful) plus the sentence-ending particle ね (isn't it?). While technically です doesn't directly follow i-adjectives in their dictionary form, in spoken Japanese, this pattern is often encountered as a softened, polite way to express a feeling or description, especially with ね`.
Scenario 3: Text Message Exchange (Slightly less formal, but still polite)
- Ken: 明日 は 会議 です か。 (Ashita wa kaigi desu ka?) –
Is there a meeting tomorrow?
- *Usage:* Asking about a future event. 明日|あした (tomorrow) is the topic.
- Maya: はい、そうです。10時から です。 (Hai, sou desu. Juuji kara desu.) – "Yes, that's right. It's from 10 o'clock."
- *Usage:* そう|sou} です is a common polite affirmation. The second です follows 10時|じゅうじ}から` (from 10 o'clock), where the phrase acts as the description for the implied topic the meeting.
These examples illustrate that A は B です is not just a textbook formula but a dynamic structure integral to everyday Japanese communication, adaptable across various levels of formality and context.
Quick FAQ
A は B です structure, addressing common points of confusion for A1 learners.- Q: Can
ですever be dropped? If so, when and why?
です can be and frequently is dropped in casual speech (常体 じょうたい). This occurs when speaking with close friends, family members, or in very informal situations where politeness markers are not necessary. When です is dropped, the sentence often ends with だ (casual copula) or just the noun/adjective directly, sometimes with sentence-ending particles like よ (yo) or ね (ne).です to avoid accidentally sounding rude. Mastering the nuanced social contexts for dropping です comes later in your studies.- Example (Polite): 私
は学生です。 - Example (Casual): 私
は学生だ。 or 私 学生だ。
- Q: Why is the topic marker spelled
は(ha) but pronouncedwa?
は shifted from ha to wa when used as a particle many centuries ago, the traditional spelling (歴史的仮名遣い れきしてきかなづかい) was preserved for specific grammatical functions like the topic marker. It's similar to silent letters in English (e.g., the 'k' in 'knife').は is pronounced wa when it functions as the topic particle. There are other particles with similar historical spellings, such as へ (e) and を (o).- Q: Is
はthe subject of the sentence?
は marks the topic, which is distinct from the grammatical subject. While the topic and the subject often coincide in simple A は B です sentences (e.g., 私|わたし は 学生 です – I is both topic and subject), they are not always the same. The topic is what the sentence is *about*, whereas the subject is who or what performs the action of the verb.は can introduce a broad context (the topic), and another particle like が might mark the specific subject within that context. For A1, you can generally think of the は-marked noun as the focus, which often acts as the subject, but keep this distinction in mind for future learning to avoid deeper grammatical confusion.- Q: Can
ですbe used with adjectives?
です is used with adjectives, but the pattern differs based on the adjective type:- Na-adjectives:
ですdirectly follows the Na-adjective stem (e.g.,静か|しずか}です` –It is quiet.). Na-adjectives behave much like nouns in this regard. - I-adjectives:
ですfollows the dictionary form of the I-adjective (e.g.,高|たか}いです–ですIt is expensive.). In this case,primarily adds politeness rather than functioning as a direct copula, as I-adjectives can act as predicates on their own. (e.g.,高|たか}いmeansです` softens and formalizes the statement. This will be covered in detail in lessons about adjectives.it is expensivein casual speech). The
Polite Copula Conjugation
| Form | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
Noun + です
|
Noun + じゃありません
|
Noun + ですか
|
|
Past
|
Noun + でした
|
Noun + じゃありませんでした
|
Noun + でしたか
|
Plain Form (Casual)
| Form | Plain |
|---|---|
|
Present
|
Noun + だ
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + じゃない
|
|
Past
|
Noun + だった
|
Meanings
This structure identifies or describes a subject by equating it with a noun or attribute.
Identification
Stating what something or someone is.
“{私|わたし}は {田中|たなか}です。”
“{これ|これ}は {本|ほん}です。”
Reference Table
| 문장 유형 | 문장 구조 | 예시 (일본어) | 해석 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
긍정문
|
A は B です
|
{私|わたし} は {学生|가쿠세이} です
|
나는 학생입니다.
|
|
의문문
|
A は B です か
|
{これ|이것} は {ペン|펜} です か
|
이것은 펜입니까?
|
|
부정문 (캐주얼)
|
A は B じゃ ありません
|
{私|わたし} は {医者|이샤} じゃ ありません
|
나는 의사가 아닙니다.
|
|
부정문 (정중)
|
A は B では ありません
|
{それ|그것} は {本|혼} では ありません
|
그것은 책이 아닙니다.
|
|
과거 긍정문
|
A は B でした
|
{昨日|키노우} は {晴|하}れ でした
|
어제는 맑음이었습니다.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
{私|わたし}は {学生|がくせい}でございます。 (Self-introduction)
{私|わたし}は {学生|がくせい}です。 (Self-introduction)
{私|わたし}は {学生|がくせい}だ。 (Self-introduction)
{学生|がくせい}だよ。 (Self-introduction)
일본어 문장의 해부도
주제 (주어)
- {私|わたし} 나 / 저
- {これ|xxx} 이것
조사 (표시어)
- は 주제 조사 (wa)
상세 내용 (설명)
- {学生|가쿠세이} 학생
- {ペン|xxx} 펜
서술어 (동사)
- 입니다 is / am / are
영어 vs 일본어 어순 비교
문장 끝맺음 결정하기
긍정적인 평서문인가요?
질문인가요?
부정문인가요?
'A wa B desu'에 자주 쓰이는 단어
사람
- • {私|わたし} (나)
- • {学生|가쿠세이} (학생)
- • {先生|센세이} (선생님)
사물
- • {これ|xxx} (이것)
- • 펜 (펜)
- • 스마트폰 (폰)
추상적 개념
- • {趣味|슈미} (취미)
- • {名前|나마에} (이름)
- • {仕事|시고토} (직업)
수준별 예문
{私|わたし}は {学生|がくせい}です。
I am a student.
{これ|これ}は {ペン|ぺん}です。
This is a pen.
{彼|かれ}は {先生|せんせい}です。
He is a teacher.
{ここ|ここ}は {学校|がっこう}です。
This place is a school.
{私|わたし}は {学生|がくせい}じゃありません。
I am not a student.
{それ|それ}は {何|なに}ですか。
What is that?
{今日|きょう}は {月曜日|げつようび}です。
Today is Monday.
{田中|たなか}さんは {日本人|にほんじん}ですか。
Is Mr. Tanaka Japanese?
{私|わたし}の {趣味|しゅみ}は {読書|どくしょ}です。
My hobby is reading.
{彼|かれ}は {医者|いしゃ}ではなく、{弁護士|べんごし}です。
He is not a doctor, but a lawyer.
{会議|かいぎ}は {明日|あした}の {十時|じゅうじ}です。
The meeting is tomorrow at 10:00.
{これ|これ}は {私|わたし}が {書いた|かいた} {レポート|れぽーと}です。
This is the report I wrote.
{日本|にほん}の {文化|ぶんか}は {独特|どくとく}です。
Japanese culture is unique.
{彼|かれ}の {説明|せつめい}は {論理的|ろんりてき}ではありません。
His explanation is not logical.
{問題|もんだい}は {時間|じかん}が {ない|ない}ことです。
The problem is that there is no time.
{結果|けっか}は {予想|よそう} {通り|どおり}でした。
The result was as expected.
{彼|かれ}は {天才|てんさい}と {言われて|いわれて}いますが、{実際|じっさい}は {努力家|どりょくか}です。
He is called a genius, but in reality, he is a hard worker.
{この|この} {理論|りろん}は {現代|げんだい} {社会|しゃかい}において {重要|じゅうよう}な {意味|いみ}を {持ちます|もちます}。
This theory holds significant meaning in modern society.
{彼|かれ}の {行動|こうどう}は {理解|りかい}し {がたい|がたい}ものです。
His behavior is something that is hard to understand.
{計画|けいかく}は {当初|とうしょ}の {予定|よてい} {通り|どおり}に {進んで|すすんで}います。
The plan is proceeding as originally scheduled.
{言語|げんご}とは {人間|にんげん}の {思考|しこう}を {映し出す|うつしだす} {鏡|かがみ}である。
Language is a mirror that reflects human thought.
{彼|かれ}の {主張|しゅちょう}は {一理|いちり}あるものの、{全体的|ぜんたいてき}には {同意|どうい}し {かねます|かねます}。
While his argument has some merit, I cannot agree with it in its entirety.
{伝統|でんとう}とは {守る|まもる}べきものではなく、{創り出す|つくりだす}ものである。
Tradition is not something to be protected, but something to be created.
{この|この} {事態|じたい}は {看過|かんか} {できない|できない} {問題|もんだい}です。
This situation is a problem that cannot be overlooked.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often use them interchangeably.
Both can mean 'to be'.
Both are copulas.
자주 하는 실수
Watashi wa gakusei.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi ga gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa a gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu ka.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu nai.
Watashi wa gakusei ja arimasen.
Watashi wa gakusei desu deshita.
Watashi wa gakusei deshita.
Kore wa nan desu?
Kore wa nan desu ka?
Watashi wa gakusei da.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei de aru.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu ne.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei to iu koto desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu koto.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Watashi wa gakusei desu yo ne.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
문장 패턴
___ wa ___ desu.
___ wa ___ ja arimasen.
___ wa ___ desu ka?
___ no ___ wa ___ desu.
Real World Usage
{私|わたし}は {田中|たなか}です。
{今日|きょう}は {忙しい|いそがしい}です。
{私|わたし}は {エンジニア|えんじにあ}です。
{ここ|ここ}は {駅|えき}ですか。
{これ|これ}は {私|わたし}の {注文|ちゅうもん}です。
{私|わたし}は {猫|ねこ}が {好き|すき}です。
철자 주의보!
주어는 과감히 생략!
예의가 생명!
Smart Tips
Always use the 'A wa B desu' pattern for clarity.
If it's the main topic, use 'wa'.
Use 'ja arimasen' for a polite negative.
Add 'ka' to the end of the sentence.
발음
Wa particle
The particle は is written as 'ha' but pronounced 'wa'.
Desu ending
The 'u' in 'desu' is often devoiced, sounding like 'dess'.
Question intonation
Desu ka? (rising pitch)
Indicates a question.
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'wa' as a 'wa-ving' hand introducing the topic, and 'desu' as the 'desk' where you finish your sentence.
시각적 연상
Imagine a person holding a sign that says 'I' (Watashi), followed by a waving hand (wa), pointing to a student (gakusei), and finally slamming a desk (desu) to finish the sentence.
Rhyme
Topic with wa, end with desu, polite speech is best for you.
Story
A student named Ken walks into a room. He points to himself and says 'Watashi wa'. He then points to his badge that says 'Student' and says 'Gakusei'. Finally, he sits at his desk and says 'Desu'. Now everyone knows he is a student.
Word Web
챌린지
Write 5 sentences about yourself using the 'A wa B desu' pattern in 5 minutes.
문화 노트
The wa-desu structure is the safest way to speak to strangers or superiors.
In Osaka, you might hear 'ya' instead of 'desu'.
In formal business, 'de gozaimasu' is used instead of 'desu'.
The copula 'desu' evolved from the polite auxiliary verb 'desu', which itself came from 'de arimasu'.
대화 시작하기
What is your name?
Is this a book?
Are you a student?
Is today Monday?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
{私|わたし} ___ 켄 입니다.
Find and fix the mistake:
{私|わたし} は {元気|겐키} だ。
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesWatashi ___ gakusei desu.
Kore wa pen ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Watashi wa a sensei desu.
desu / Tanaka / wa / Watashi
I am a student.
Is this a book?
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
Match: desu, ja arimasen, desu ka, deshita
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercises{学生|가쿠세이} です ___ 。
문장을 만드세요:
올바른 부정형 문장을 고르세요.
{これ|xxx} は 펜 ___ 。
알맞은 뜻을 연결하세요.
{今日|쿄우} わ {雨|아메} 입니다.
단어를 배열하세요:
'이것은 물입니다'를 일본어로 어떻게 말하나요?
{トイレ|xxx} は {どこ|xxx} 입니다 ___。
어제는 금요일이었습니다.
단어를 조합하세요:
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
It is a historical spelling convention from ancient Japanese. Just remember to pronounce it as 'wa'.
In casual speech, yes. But for beginners, keep it to ensure clarity.
No, it is a copula. It doesn't conjugate like a verb.
Change 'desu' to 'deshita'.
Use 'wa' for the topic and 'ga' for the specific subject.
Yes, 'desu' is the standard polite form.
You can use 'da' or just drop the copula entirely.
No, 'desu' is the same for everyone.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser/estar
Spanish conjugates for person; Japanese does not.
être
French requires agreement; Japanese does not.
sein
German has complex case endings; Japanese uses particles.
desu
None.
nominal sentence
Arabic has gender and number agreement.
shi
Chinese has no particles like 'wa'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
관련 동영상
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