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Grammar: first steps › Lesson 3

Saying "A is not B" with ではありません

"A wa B dewa arimasen" is the negative of "A wa B desu".

Key points

dewa arimasen

Change です to ではありません. In conversation, じゃありません is also very common.

Nouns only, for now

This lesson covers sentences with nouns only. Negative adjectives (takaku nai desu) use a different form.

Examples

  • わたしは先生ではありません。
    Watashi wa sensei deha arimasen.
    I am not a teacher.
  • これは水ではありません。お茶です。
    Kore wa mizu deha arimasen. ocha desu.
    This is not water. It is tea.
  • あの人は医者ではありません。
    Ano hito wa isha deha arimasen.
    That person is not a doctor.
  • 今日は休みではありません。
    Kyou wa yasumi deha arimasen.
    Today is not a day off.
A small tip

Starting with いいえ, as in "Iie, ... dewa arimasen," makes your answer clear.

Check yourself

1. What does "Kore wa mizu dewa arimasen" mean?

2. What is the negative form of です?

3. Which shorter form is common in speech?

This lesson was checked on 2026.11.08. Translations are a learning guide.

← Saying "A is B" with です　Asking questions with か →　Grammar: first steps