この ナイフ は とても するどい です。
Kono naifu wa totemo surudoi desu.
This knife is very sharp.
Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.
So, です is a bit of a tricky one, yeah? It’s the most common way to finish a sentence when you’re being polite. You’re not trying to be the King of England or anything, just showing a bit of respect, innit? It’s not just for saying “I am a gangster,” it’s for when you’re talking to a copper, or a shopkeeper, or your nan. It makes your sentences sound tidy and proper, not like you’ve just crawled out of a bin. It’s about showing you’ve got some manners, even if you’ve got a lock-in planned for later.
Think of です like the full stop at the end of a sentence. But not just any full stop, it’s the bit that makes your sentence sound respectful and complete. It’s like a proper gangster’s handshake—it shows you’re serious and respectful, and you’re not messing around. Without it, you sound like a proper shambles, just a collection of words with no direction. It’s the final click, the lock on the safe, the です that makes your sentence legit.
Read the table below then use it to conjugate some words you know.
Alright, here’s the lowdown on how to use this bad boy.
| English | Japanese |
| Is / Am / Are | です |
Listen, this bit’s a doddle, so pay attention. You just stick です on the end of a noun or an adjective, and bang, you’ve got a complete, polite sentence. It’s like adding the final touch to your getaway car—it just makes it work. You don’t change です for anything. It’s always です, no matter what. No funny business with different forms or nothing. It’s always the same, solid as a rock.
Listen to and repeat the sentences below.
Here are some proper sentences so you can see how this all works in practice.
きょう の しごと は らく です。
Kyou no shigoto wa raku desu.
Today’s job is easy.
あれ は ちのあと です。
Are wa chinoato desu.
That is a bloodstain.
この けいかく は ごくひ です。
Kono keikaku wa gokuhi desu.
This plan is top secret.
あれ は まやく とりひき です。
Are wa mayaku torihiki desu.
That is a drug deal.
かれら は ただ の チンピラ です。
Karera wa tada no chinpira desu.
They are just low-level thugs.
やつ の いのち は やすい もの です。
Yatsu no inochi wa yasui mono desu.
His life is cheap.
かれ は おれ の きょうだいぶん です。
Kare wa ore no kyodaibun desu.
He is my brother in crime.
この くるま は とうなんしゃ です。
Kono kuruma wa tounansha desu.
This car is stolen.
この アジト は あんぜん です。
Kono ajito wa anzen desu.
This hideout is safe.
これ は 俺 の なわ ばり です。
Kore wa ore no nawabari desu.
This is my territory.
Yo, mad respect. You handled the explanation, the nuance, and the conjugation like a boss. I see you tightening up your flow with that shadowing, too.
But check game—if you really tryna be certified and lock this down? You need to cop that N5 workbook, The Grind.
It’s packing five plays for every point so you can handle your business.
Stay Dangerous
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