How to use Descriptive Sentences with です in Japanese

Understanding the Role of です in Japanese Descriptive Sentences

In Japanese, "です" plays an essential role in constructing descriptive sentences. It acts like the English verb "to be" in sentences, giving them completeness and formal tone.

Basic Sentence Structure with です

The basic sentence structure using "です" is quite straightforward, often following the form: Subject + は + Predicate + です. This construction is used to assert a fact or description.

Examples of Descriptive Sentences

When using "です," you're typically exchanging information about a subject, such as describing qualities or identities. Here are some examples:

Using です with Nouns and Adjectives

In Japanese, "です" is used both with nouns and adjectives to form descriptive sentences. However, the rules slightly differ depending on the type of adjective.

Nouns and な-Adjectives + です

With nouns and な-adjectives, "です" directly follows. For example, when using a な-adjective like "きれい", the sentence might look like きれいです (It is beautiful).

い-Adjectives + です

Unlike nouns and な-adjectives, い-adjectives already imply "is" in their inflection. Thus, "です" is used for politeness rather than necessity. For example, あたらしいです (It is new) maintains politeness.