Grammar: first steps › Lesson 2
Saying "A is B" with です
"A wa B desu" is the most basic sentence. Use it for names, jobs, and the names of things.
Key points
A wa B desu
This pattern joins A and B like an equals sign. です makes the sentence polite.
です after adjectives
You can also add です after adjectives that end in い, such as 大きい and 安い, to make them polite: "Kono mise wa yasui desu."
Examples
- わたしは学生です。Watashi wa gakusei desu.I am a student.
- これは本です。Kore wa hon desu.This is a book.
- 駅はあそこです。Eki wa asoko desu.The station is over there.
- この店は安いです。Kono mise wa yasui desu.This shop is cheap.
A small tip
For a simple self-introduction, "Watashi wa (name) desu" is enough.
Check yourself
1. What does "Watashi wa gakusei desu" mean?
です closes an "A wa B" sentence.
2. What does です do?
です gives the polite style.
3. Which word fits in "Kono mise wa yasui ___."?
Place です after the adjective.
This lesson was checked on 2026.11.08. Translations are a learning guide.
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