だった・
だった and でした end a noun-based description in the past. Use the first in plain style and the second in polite style.
What it describes
Attach the ending directly to a noun that identifies or describes someone or something at a past time. The noun can express an identity, role, type, time, place, weather condition, or similar description.
Past identities and descriptions
去年、兄は大学生だった。
Last year, my older brother was a university student.
Analyzeあの建物は昔、病院でした。
That building used to be a hospital.
AnalyzeThe natural English translation uses “used to be” because the sentence contrasts the building's past identity with the present. The Japanese form itself simply places the description in the past.
Plain or polite
The two endings have the same past meaning. Choose between them according to the style of the conversation or writing, not according to how long ago the situation occurred.
The same meaning in two styles
These sentences differ only in style.
Use a real past reference
The sentence needs a past time that is stated or clear from context. These endings describe what someone or something was; they are not general endings for completed actions.
Time, place, and condition
More examples
昨日は祝日だった。
Yesterday was a public holiday.
Analyze先週の担当は田中さんでした。
The person in charge last week was Ms. Tanaka.
Analyze子どものころ、夢は医者だった。
When I was a child, my dream was to become a doctor.
Analyze昨日の夕食はカレーだった。
Yesterday's dinner was curry.
Analyze試験は月曜日でした。
The exam was on Monday.
Analyze大学生のとき、初めての仕事はレストランの店員でした。
When I was a university student, my first job was as a restaurant server.
Analyze