Translation guide
The English verb 'is' (the copula) has no single direct equivalent in Japanese. The correct expression depends on what is being described: identity, property, location, existence, or a grammatical pattern. This guide covers the most common ways to express 'is' in natural Japanese.
AはBいです。
A is B (i-adjective).
I-adjectives already contain the copula; do not add だ/です after the adjective.
The speaker wants to state that something is equivalent to or defined as something else (noun + copula).
The standard polite copula pattern. A is the topic, B is a noun or na-adjective. In plain speech, use だ instead of です.
Plain form of the copula. Used in casual speech, written language, and subordinate clauses.
彼は医者だ。
He is a doctor.
Very formal/humble copula. Used in business or service contexts.
こちらは会議室でございます。
This is the conference room.
The speaker describes a property or state using an i-adjective. The copula is already built into the adjective.
I-adjectives end in い and function as predicates without an additional copula. Add です for politeness, but never add だ after an i-adjective in standard Japanese.
このケーキはおいしいです。
This cake is delicious.
今日は暑い。
Today is hot.
The speaker states that something exists or is present. Japanese distinguishes animate vs. inanimate.
Used for inanimate objects, plants, and abstract things. Polite form of ある.
机の上に本があります。
There is a book on the desk.
The speaker describes an ongoing action or a resulting state. English uses 'is' as an auxiliary.
The ている form covers both progressive actions and states resulting from a change. Polite form is ています.
彼は今、本を読んでいます。
He is reading a book now.
窓が開いている。
The window is open.
The speaker describes an action done to the subject. English uses 'is' + past participle.
Japanese passive form. Often used when the subject is affected by an action, sometimes with a nuance of inconvenience.
この本は多くの人に読まれています。
This book is read by many people.
The speaker asks whether something is equivalent to something else.
Add か to the polite copula to form a yes/no question. In casual speech, か is often dropped and replaced by rising intonation or の.
これはあなたの傘ですか。
Is this your umbrella?
The speaker emphasizes or explains a situation, similar to 'It is that...' or 'The thing is...'.
Nominalizer の + copula. Used to explain or emphasize a reason or fact.
大切なのは健康です。
What is important is health.
Used to define or explain the meaning of a term.
In very casual conversation, the copula is often dropped, especially by women or in certain dialects.
In informal speech, ending a sentence with a noun or na-adjective stem without だ/です can sound softer or more feminine. Not recommended for beginners.
Dropping the copula can sound abrupt or feminine depending on context. Use with care.
これ、本。
This is a book.
I-adjectives already contain the copula. Saying おいしいだ is ungrammatical. The polite form is おいしいです, and the plain form is simply おいしい.
このラーメンはおいしい。
This ramen is delicious.
Use ある for inanimate objects, plants, and abstract concepts. Use いる for people, animals, and sometimes robots or dolls perceived as animate. When in doubt, ある is safer for non-living things.
彼女は先生です。
She is a teacher.
空は青いです。
The sky is blue.
庭に猫がいます。
There is a cat in the garden.
この席は空いていますか。
Is this seat taken?
Negative form of i-adjectives. ～くありません is more formal, ～くないです is common in speech.
この部屋は広くありません。
This room is not spacious.
Used for people, animals, and other animate beings. Polite form of いる.
公園に子供がいます。
There is a child in the park.
Pattern for 'A is located in/at B'. Use に for the location.
駅はあそこにあります。
The station is over there.
猫は部屋にいます。
The cat is in the room.
「ありがとう」というのは感謝の言葉です。
'Arigatou' is a word of thanks.
です is the polite form of the copula and can be attached to i-adjectives and nouns. In formal writing, である is often used instead of だ.
です is the polite form of the copula and can be attached to i-adjectives and nouns. In formal writing, である is often used instead of だ.