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    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜ではありません

    〜ではありません

    〜ではありません

    This means 'is not' or 'are not'. You use it to say what something is not. It is a polite way to speak.

    N5KMT1FormalStandardCopulaMixedPredicate BasicsGrammar

    Noun + ではありませんPrimary
    な-Adjective + ではありませんPrimary

    This means 'is not' or 'are not'. You use it to say what something is not. It is a polite way to speak.

    これはペンではありません。鉛えん筆ぴつです。

    This is not a pen. It is a pencil.

    FormalNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeCore ConceptsEducation
    あの方かたは学がく生せいではありませんでした。

    That person was not a student.

    FormalPastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEducationDaily Life
    この料りょう理りはあまり辛からくありませんが、味あじが薄うすいわけではありません。

    This dish isn't very spicy, but that doesn't mean the flavor is weak.

    PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeFood & Dining
    試し験けんは簡かん単たんではありませんでしたから、多おおくの学がく生せいが苦く労ろうしました。

    Because the exam was not easy, many students struggled.

    FormalPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEducation
    私わたしは医い者しゃではありませんので、専せん門もん的てきな助じょ言げんはできかねます。

    As I am not a doctor, I'm afraid I cannot offer professional advice.

    FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeMedicine & HealthWork & Career

    This form sounds more proper. It is like saying 'It is certainly not' instead of just 'It's not'.

    This is a formal way to say "is not". "じゃありません" is more common when speaking politely. "ではない" is also formal, used in writing. "じゃない" is for casual talk.

    Don't use this when you talk about い-adjectives. For example, don't say "高くではありません". This grammar is only for nouns and な-adjectives.

    Often confused with(1)

    〜じゃありません

    This means 'is not'. You use it to say something is not a noun. You also use it to say something is not a 'na'-adjective.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜じゃありません

    This means 'is not'. You use it to say something is not a noun. You also use it to say something is not a 'na'-adjective.

    〜です / 〜でした

    This word means 'is' or 'am'. It connects two things. It makes your sentence polite.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜じゃありません

    Variants

    • 〜です / 〜でした

    prerequisite

    • 〜わけではない
    • 〜ではないか
    • 〜ではございません
    • 〜ではいらっしゃいません
    • 〜では (source)
    • 申し訳ありません
    • 〜びらん

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