〜です

〜です is part of the copula system in Japanese, expressing is / am / are (polite). The copula connects subjects to descriptions or identifications, similar to "is/am/are" in English, though Japanese copula expressions work quite differently from their English counterparts.

This is a foundational pattern that you will use from day one of your Japanese studies.

When to Use#

• Identifying something: これは本です (This is a book)
• Describing a state: 元気です (I'm fine)
• Polite assertion: 学生です (I am a student)

When NOT to Use#

• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• 元気です。 — I'm fine.
• 三時です。 — It's 3 o'clock.
• 眠いです。 — I'm sleepy.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜です may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

Related Patterns#

• 〜は (topic marker) — Next step