This word means 'is' or 'am' or 'are'. You use it at the end of a sentence. It makes your sentence polite.
Noun + ですPrimary
な-Adjective + ですPrimary
This word means 'is' or 'am' or 'are'. You use it at the end of a sentence. It makes your sentence polite.
昨日はいい天気でした。
Yesterday, the weather was nice.
田中さんは学生ではありません。
Mr./Ms. Tanaka is not a student.
このアパートはとても静かです。
This apartment is very quiet.
これは私の意見ですが、いかがでしょうか。
This is my opinion, but what do you think?
『です』 is polite. 『だ』 is casual. Use 『です』 with people you don't know well. Use 『だ』 with friends and family. Using 『だ』 in a polite talk sounds rude.
Watch out: This is tricky with い-adjectives. You say "takai desu" (it is expensive). But for past tense, you say "takakatta desu" (it was expensive). You do not say "takai deshita". For negative, you say "takakunai desu" (it is not expensive). You do not say "takakunai deshita".
Use this when you want to explain something. It gives a reason or more details. For example, if you are late, you can say why.
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