ではない・
These endings follow a noun and say that someone or something is not the person, thing, category, or condition named by that noun. Choose among them according to plain or polite style and how conversational you want to sound.
Choosing the ending
じゃ is a conversational contraction of では. This contraction affects how conversational the expression sounds, but it does not by itself make the whole sentence plain: じゃありません is still polite because of its ending.
A pronunciation detail
In では, the final は is pronounced like わ, just as it is when used as the topic marker.
Quick guide to the variants
Swipe sideways to compare every column.
| Form | Style | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ではない | Plain and careful | Careful speech and writing |
| じゃない | Plain and conversational | Ordinary informal conversation |
| ではありません | Polite and careful | A stable choice in careful speech and writing |
| じゃありません | Polite and conversational | Polite conversation |
| ではないです | Polite and uncontracted | Polite speech, with the careful uncontracted opening |
| じゃないです | Polite and conversational | Very common in polite conversation |
Beginner tables often emphasize the careful polite form, but the polite conversational alternatives are also normal Japanese.
Plain and polite examples
The noun comes immediately before the complete negative ending.
この席は予約席ではありません。
This seat is not reserved seating.
AnalyzeA careful polite form suitable for customer service or formal guidance.