Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
What です does
です is the polite ending you see again and again in beginner Japanese. It often closes a short statement that labels, identifies, or describes something.
Target signal
これはほんです。
This is a book.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ほん
- book
Compare in context
わたしはがくせいです。
I am a student.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
- わたし
- I; me
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
あれはくるまです。
That over there is a car.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くる
- to come
- あれ
- that over there
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 2 of 3
Topic plus label
Many beginner lines use a simple pattern: topic first, label at the end. Once you spot that frame, the sentence feels much more predictable.
Target signal
たなかさんはせんせいです。
Tanaka is a teacher.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せんせい
- teacher
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
Preview
これはノートです。
This is a notebook.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
- これ
- this
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
きょうはやすみです。
Today is a day off.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- きょう
- today
- やすみ
- closed; day off
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Section 3 of 3
Read the ending as one chunk
Do not stop after every character. Keep going until the sentence-ending です, then take the line as one whole polite statement.
Target signal
ここはとしょかんです。
This place is a library.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ここ
- here
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- か
- question marker; or
Preview
それはペンです。
That is a pen.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- それ
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ペン
- pen
Preview
きょうはテストです。
Today is a test day.
Notice how です: Simple Statements shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- きょう
- today
- テスト
- test
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are