Language/Japanese/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Japanese learners! π
In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb "be" in Japanese. We will look at the different forms of the verb and how to use them in sentences. We will also look at some examples of how to use the verb in context.
The verb "be" in Japanese is γγ γ (da). It is used to express existence or identity. It is also used to link two nouns together. The verb can be conjugated into different forms depending on the context.
The basic form of the verb is γγ γ (da). This is used when the subject is a noun or pronoun. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ γ (Watashi wa gakusei da.) - I am a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ γ (Kare wa sensei da.) - He is a teacher.
The negative form of the verb is γγ§γ―γͺγγ (dewa nai). This is used to express the opposite of the basic form. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γ―γͺγγ (Watashi wa gakusei dewa nai.) - I am not a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γ―γͺγγ (Kare wa sensei dewa nai.) - He is not a teacher.
The past form of the verb is γγ§γγγ (deshita). This is used to express something that happened in the past. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γγγ (Watashi wa gakusei deshita.) - I was a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γγγ (Kare wa sensei deshita.) - He was a teacher.
The negative past form of the verb is γγ§γ―γͺγγ£γγ (dewa nakatta). This is used to express the opposite of the past form. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γ―γͺγγ£γγ (Watashi wa gakusei dewa nakatta.) - I was not a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γ―γͺγγ£γγ (Kare wa sensei dewa nakatta.) - He was not a teacher.
The polite form of the verb is γγ§γγ (desu). This is used when speaking politely or formally. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γγ (Watashi wa gakusei desu.) - I am a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γγ (Kare wa sensei desu.) - He is a teacher.
The negative polite form of the verb is γγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ (dewa arimasen). This is used to express the opposite of the polite form. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ (Watashi wa gakusei dewa arimasen.) - I am not a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ (Kare wa sensei dewa arimasen.) - He is not a teacher.
The polite past form of the verb is γγ§γγγ (deshita). This is used to express something that happened in the past in a polite or formal way. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γγγ (Watashi wa gakusei deshita.) - I was a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γγγ (Kare wa sensei deshita.) - He was a teacher.
The negative polite past form of the verb is γγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ§γγγ (dewa arimasen deshita). This is used to express the opposite of the polite past form. For example:
- η§γ―ε¦ηγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ§γγγ (Watashi wa gakusei dewa arimasen deshita.) - I was not a student.
- ε½Όγ―ε ηγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ§γγγ (Kare wa sensei dewa arimasen deshita.) - He was not a teacher.
Let's look at some examples of how to use the verb in context.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: γγͺγγ―δ½γγγ¦γγΎγγοΌ (Anata wa nani o shite imasu ka?) - What are you doing?
- Person 2: η§γ―ε ηγ§γγ (Watashi wa sensei desu.) - I am a teacher.
In this dialogue, the verb γγ§γγ (desu) is used to express the identity of the speaker.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: γγͺγγ―ε ηγ§γγγοΌ (Anata wa sensei deshita ka?) - Were you a teacher?
- Person 2: γγγγη§γ―ε ηγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ§γγγ (Iie, watashi wa sensei dewa arimasen deshita.) - No, I was not a teacher.
In this dialogue, the verb γγ§γ―γγγΎγγγ§γγγ (dewa arimasen deshita) is used to express the opposite of the polite past form.
To improve your Japanese Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
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Videos
Japanese Grammar: How to Use -γγ¨γ«γγ (to decide to) - YouTube