です
desu[de̞sɨ̥]
The English phrase "I am" is expressed in Japanese using です (desu).
This phrase is used to state who or what the speaker is. You can state your name formally using the pattern "Watashi wa [name] desu." or specify an occupation or role with "Watashi wa [occupation/role] desu." Note that in Japanese, the subject "I" is often omitted when it is clear from the context that the speaker is talking about themselves.
Which one should you use?
です is the polite copula used to state identity or a state, whereas だ is its plain and informal counterpart.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Hokkaido dialect, people sometimes use oira to refer to themselves, as in "Oira wa [name] da."
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of です is だ. To express the negative form "am not" formally, use ではありません. To express the past tense "was/were" formally, use でした.
How do you pronounce it?
desu
Did you know?
- Even though 'I am' is a single concept in English, Japanese can express it through various historical roots like でそうろう, which once signaled a very specific level of deference.
- While です is used for 'i am', Japanese has many words for 'I' depending on the speaker's gender, age and social status. A man might use boku or ore while a woman might use watashi or atashi.
- If you use the informal version だ instead of です with a stranger, you may come across as blunt or even rude.
Examples in context
- 電話中です。I am talking on the phone.This sentence is useful for showing how to use です to say you are currently on the phone.Tatoeba #124634 by small_snow, translation #8069714 by Thanuir
- 大学生です。I am a university student.This sentence is useful for showing how to use です to state your status as a university student.Tatoeba #137609 by tommy_san, translation #275627 by CC
- 仕事中です。I am working.This sentence is useful for showing how to use です to say you are currently working.Tatoeba #1046221 by bunbuku, translation #340708 by tinacalysto
- 336 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are meeting at a party for the first time.
- 結衣 Yui初めまして、結衣です。Hajimemashite, Yui desu.Nice to meet you, I am Yui.
- 大翔 Hiroto初めまして、大翔です。Hajimemashite, Hiroto desu.Nice to meet you, I am Hiroto.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんは学生ですか？Hiroto-san wa gakusei desu ka?Hiroto, are you a student?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、大学生です。Hai, daigakusei desu.Yes, I am a college student.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry です, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries です, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
