How to Say "Is Not" in Japanese

じゃない

ja nai[d͡ʑa̠ na̠i]

The Japanese phrase じゃない (ja nai) means "is not".

This phrase is used to negate a statement or to deny that something is a particular thing.

How do you pronounce it?

The romanization is ja nai.

In Japanese, the phrase じゃない can be used to express a strong suggestion or a command, similar to saying 'Why don't we' or 'You should' in English.
The phrase じゃない can be used as a standalone exclamation to express disbelief, like 'No way!' or 'You've got to be kidding!', even when no specific object is being negated.
When used in a rhetorical way, じゃない can actually be used to emphasize that something is true, functioning as a double negative for strong affirmation.

私のせいじゃない。
That is not my fault.
This example shows how to use じゃない to deny responsibility for a fault.
Tatoeba #2196873 by bunbuku, translation #1109712 by Leedihuzur
遊びじゃないんだ。
This is not a game.
This example uses じゃない to state that something is not a game.
Tatoeba #2907532 by tommy_san, translation #1898099 by CK
これは虎じゃない。
This is not a tiger.
This example uses じゃない to identify that something is not a tiger.
Tatoeba #7492730 by Ninja, translation #1739147 by CM
69 more sentences on Tatoeba

Ren and Yui are looking at a mysterious fruit in a shop.

蓮 Ren

これはリンゴじゃない。
Kore wa ringo janai.
This is not an apple.
結衣 Yui

本当？じゃあ、何？
Hontou? Jaa, nani?
Really? Then, what is it?
蓮 Ren

見たことない果物だよ。
Mita koto nai kudamono dayo.
It is a fruit I have never seen.
結衣 Yui

不思議だね。
Fushigi dane.
That's strange.

Sources

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