Translation guide
The English phrase "am not" is a negative form of "be" used with "I". In Japanese, there is no direct equivalent because verbs and adjectives themselves conjugate for negation. This guide covers how to express "I am not" in various contexts.
Expressing "I am not [noun/na-adjective]"
Standard polite negative form of the copula だ. Used in formal and written contexts.
I am not a student.
That is not easy.
Casual contraction of ではない. Very common in everyday speech.
Very polite negative form. Used in formal speech and writing.
I am not a doctor.
Polite negative form, slightly less formal than ではありません.
I am not Japanese.
Expressing "I am not [i-adjective]"
Casual negative form of i-adjectives. Drop the final い and add くない.
It is not cold today.
Expressing "I do not [verb]"
The plain negative form of verbs. For godan verbs, change the final -u to -anai; for ichidan verbs, drop -ru and add -nai.
I do not eat meat.
Expressing "there is not" for inanimate objects
Plain form meaning "there is not". Used for inanimate things.
Expressing "there is not" for people/animals
Plain negative of いる (to exist, animate).
Using casual contractions for "am not"
Japanese does not have a word for "am". The copula だ/です is used for noun and na-adjective predicates, but it is not a verb like "be". For i-adjectives and verbs, negation is built into the word itself.
In Japanese, the subject (like "I") is often omitted when clear from context. So "am not" can often be expressed with just the negative predicate.
I don't like that. (lit. That is not liked.)
この本は高くない。
This book is not expensive.
Polite negative form of i-adjectives.
This room is not spacious.
Polite casual negative form. Common in conversation.
That movie is not interesting.
彼は来ない。
He does not come.
Polite negative form of verbs.
I do not drink alcohol.
お金がない。
I have no money. (lit. Money does not exist.)
誰もいない。
There is no one.
That's good, isn't it? (lit. That is not good?)