When learning Japanese, one of the key elements to master is the use of adjectives. Adjectives in Japanese are not only used to describe nouns but are also essential for forming sentences. A common way to make adjectives more polite or formal is by adding “です” (desu) at the end. This article will delve into the intricacies of using “Adjective + です” in Japanese grammar, making it easier for English speakers to grasp this concept and use it effectively.
Understanding Adjectives in Japanese
Before diving into the combination of adjectives with “です,” it’s crucial to understand the two main types of adjectives in Japanese: **い-adjectives** and **な-adjectives**.
い-Adjectives
い-adjectives (i-adjectives) are those that typically end in “い” (i) in their dictionary form. For example:
– 高い (たかい, takai) – high, tall
– 新しい (あたらしい, atarashii) – new
– 美味しい (おいしい, oishii) – delicious
These adjectives can be directly conjugated into different forms, such as past, negative, and polite forms.
な-Adjectives
な-adjectives (na-adjectives), on the other hand, require the particle “な” (na) when used directly before a noun. For example:
– 静かな (しずかな, shizuka na) – quiet
– 便利な (べんりな, benri na) – convenient
– 親切な (しんせつな, shinsetsu na) – kind
When these adjectives stand alone or at the end of a sentence, the “な” is usually dropped, and they can be directly modified using “です.”
Using です with Adjectives
Adding “です” to adjectives serves to make the sentence more polite. This is particularly useful in formal settings or when speaking to someone you want to show respect to. The method of adding “です” varies slightly between い-adjectives and な-adjectives.
い-Adjectives + です
For い-adjectives, you simply add “です” after the adjective to make the sentence polite. Here are some examples:
– 高いです。(たかいです, Takai desu.) – It is high/tall.
– 新しいです。(あたらしいです, Atarashii desu.) – It is new.
– 美味しいです。(おいしいです, Oishii desu.) – It is delicious.
Notice how the form of the い-adjective does not change; you just add “です” to the end.
な-Adjectives + です
For な-adjectives, you also add “です” after the adjective. However, remember that the “な” is usually dropped when the adjective is not directly before a noun. Here are some examples:
– 静かです。(しずかです, Shizuka desu.) – It is quiet.
– 便利です。(べんりです, Benri desu.) – It is convenient.
– 親切です。(しんせつです, Shinsetsu desu.) – It is kind.
In this case, the “な” is omitted, and “です” is added directly to the adjective.
Conjugating Adjectives with です
To fully master the use of adjectives with “です,” it’s important to understand how to conjugate them into different tenses and forms, such as past, negative, and past negative.
Past Tense
The past tense for adjectives combined with “です” involves changing the adjective to its past form and then adding “でした” (deshita).
For い-adjectives:
– 高かったです。(たかかったです, Takakatta desu.) – It was high/tall.
– 新しかったです。(あたらしかったです, Atarashikatta desu.) – It was new.
– 美味しかったです。(おいしかったです, Oishikatta desu.) – It was delicious.
For な-adjectives:
– 静かでした。(しずかでした, Shizuka deshita.) – It was quiet.
– 便利でした。(べんりでした, Benri deshita.) – It was convenient.
– 親切でした。(しんせつでした, Shinsetsu deshita.) – It was kind.
Negative Form
The negative form involves changing the adjective to its negative form and then adding “です” or “ではありません” (dewa arimasen) for a more formal touch.
For い-adjectives:
– 高くないです。(たかくないです, Takakunai desu.) – It is not high/tall.
– 新しくないです。(あたらしくないです, Atarashikunai desu.) – It is not new.
– 美味しくないです。(おいしくないです, Oishikunai desu.) – It is not delicious.
For な-adjectives:
– 静かではありません。(しずかではありません, Shizuka dewa arimasen.) – It is not quiet.
– 便利ではありません。(べんりではありません, Benri dewa arimasen.) – It is not convenient.
– 親切ではありません。(しんせつではありません, Shinsetsu dewa arimasen.) – It is not kind.
Past Negative Form
The past negative form combines the past tense with the negative form, followed by “です” or “ではありませんでした” (dewa arimasen deshita).
For い-adjectives:
– 高くなかったです。(たかくなかったです, Takakunakatta desu.) – It was not high/tall.
– 新しくなかったです。(あたらしくなかったです, Atarashikunakatta desu.) – It was not new.
– 美味しくなかったです。(おいしくなかったです, Oishikunakatta desu.) – It was not delicious.
For な-adjectives:
– 静かではありませんでした。(しずかではありませんでした, Shizuka dewa arimasen deshita.) – It was not quiet.
– 便利ではありませんでした。(べんりではありませんでした, Benri dewa arimasen deshita.) – It was not convenient.
– 親切ではありませんでした。(しんせつではありませんでした, Shinsetsu dewa arimasen deshita.) – It was not kind.
Practical Usage in Daily Conversations
Understanding how to use “Adjective + です” is essential for daily conversations in Japanese. Here are some common scenarios where this structure is frequently used:
Describing People
When describing people, using adjectives with “です” can help you sound more polite and respectful. For example:
– 彼は親切です。(かれはしんせつです, Kare wa shinsetsu desu.) – He is kind.
– 彼女は美しいです。(かのじょはうつくしいです, Kanojo wa utsukushii desu.) – She is beautiful.
– 先生は厳しいです。(せんせいはきびしいです, Sensei wa kibishii desu.) – The teacher is strict.
Describing Places
When talking about places, using adjectives with “です” can help convey your impressions more effectively. For example:
– 日本は美しいです。(にほんはうつくしいです, Nihon wa utsukushii desu.) – Japan is beautiful.
– この町は静かです。(このまちはしずかです, Kono machi wa shizuka desu.) – This town is quiet.
– そのホテルは便利です。(そのホテルはべんりです, Sono hoteru wa benri desu.) – That hotel is convenient.
Describing Objects
When describing objects, this structure is also very useful. For example:
– この本は面白いです。(このほんはおもしろいです, Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu.) – This book is interesting.
– その車は新しいです。(そのくるまはあたらしいです, Sono kuruma wa atarashii desu.) – That car is new.
– このペンは安いです。(このペンはやすいです, Kono pen wa yasui desu.) – This pen is cheap.
Common Mistakes and Tips
When learning to use “Adjective + です,” there are some common mistakes that learners often make. Here are a few tips to avoid them:
Not Dropping the “な”
For な-adjectives, remember to drop the “な” when the adjective is not directly before a noun. For instance, saying “静かなです” (shizuka na desu) instead of “静かです” (shizuka desu) is incorrect.
Using the Wrong Form of “です”
Ensure you use the correct form of “です” depending on the tense and whether the statement is negative or positive. For example, mixing up “でした” (deshita) and “です” (desu) can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.
Overusing “です”
While “です” makes your speech more polite, overusing it can make your sentences sound unnatural. In casual conversations, especially with friends or family, it’s often okay to drop “です” and use the plain form of adjectives.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master “Adjective + です” is through consistent practice. Here are some exercises you can try:
Exercise 1: Sentence Formation
Create sentences using both い-adjectives and な-adjectives with “です.” For example:
– Try describing your favorite foods using “美味しいです” (oishii desu).
– Describe your room using “静かです” (shizuka desu) or “狭いです” (semai desu).
Exercise 2: Tense Conversion
Take sentences in the present tense and convert them into the past tense, negative form, and past negative form. For example:
– Present: この映画は面白いです。(This movie is interesting.)
– Past: この映画は面白かったです。(This movie was interesting.)
– Negative: この映画は面白くないです。(This movie is not interesting.)
– Past Negative: この映画は面白くなかったです。(This movie was not interesting.)
Exercise 3: Real-Life Conversations
Practice using “Adjective + です” in real-life conversations. Try speaking with native speakers or fellow learners and describe people, places, and things using this structure. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “Adjective + です” in Japanese grammar is a fundamental step in becoming proficient in the language. It not only helps in making your sentences polite but also enhances your ability to describe the world around you effectively. By understanding the differences between い-adjectives and な-adjectives, practicing various conjugations, and applying this knowledge in daily conversations, you can significantly improve your Japanese language skills. Happy learning!
