です
desu[de̞sɨ̥]
The English phrase "is" corresponds to the Japanese copula です (desu), which is used to state an identity or a quality.
です is a linking verb used to connect a subject to a noun or an adjective to indicate identity, existence or description. In casual speech, this copula is sometimes omitted entirely.
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English "is", the Japanese form です does not change based on the subject. It remains the same whether you are talking about yourself, another person or a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the negative "is not" in a polite manner, use ではありません. The past tense of です is でした, and if you wish to turn that past tense into a question ("was it?"), you add か to the end to form でしたか.
How do you pronounce it?
desu
Did you know?
- The modern polite form です likely evolved from several different historical endings, including the samurai-style でそうろう and the extremely formal でございます.
- Adding the particle ね after です transforms a statement of fact into a request for confirmation, similar to adding 'right?' in English.
- In written Japanese, the copula です is frequently replaced by である to create a formal, academic or objective tone known as 'dearu-tai'.
Examples in context
- 何時ですか。What time is it?This sentence shows how to ask for the time using です.Tatoeba #5059 by bunbuku, translation #428402 by laofmoonster
- 無関係です。It is nothing to me.This sentence uses です to state that something is irrelevant.Tatoeba #80938 by verbum, translation #42386 by CM
- 白いですか。Is it white?This sentence demonstrates how to ask a question about a quality using です.Tatoeba #121438 by small_snow, translation #282567 by CK
- 4449 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are meeting at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui結衣です。Yui desu.I am Yui.
- 陽太 Yota陽太です。よろしくお願いします。Yota desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I am Yota. Nice to meet you.
- 結衣 Yui学生ですか。Gakusei desu ka.Are you a student?
- 陽太 Yota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.
