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です (desu) Japanese meaning: be | Kotomora
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Related words です is the polite copula used with nouns and adjectives, while ます attaches to the stem of a verb to convey the same level of politeness.
です is the everyday polite copula, while であります is a much more formal, ceremonial variant heard in military or official speech.
です is the everyday polite copula, whereas ござる is an archaic, more formal copula rarely used in its dictionary form today.
Politeness です is the polite copula used in formal or polite speech, while だ is its plain, casual counterpart.
でございます is an even more formal, deferential copula than です, typically used in business or service settings.
である is the literary, written-style counterpart of です, common in essays and reports rather than spoken conversation.
Written forms です Usage 100%
Standard polite copula and auxiliary verb; no kanji form exists.
デス Usage <1%
Etymology Derived from であります (de arimasu), a polite form of である (de aru). The exact historical contraction path is uncertain, but it became the standard polite copula in modern Japanese.
plain
です is the standard polite copula, while っす is its casual, clipped form used in relaxed conversation to keep a light touch of politeness.
です is the ordinary polite copula 'is/am/are', while でございます (using ございます) is a more formal and deferential way of saying the same thing.