How is です・だ（コピュラ） formed?

Important: です is not a verb — it's a copula . It doesn't conjugate for person (I am, you are, he is → all です).

What are common mistakes with です・だ（コピュラ）?

Forgetting です at the end of polite sentences; Using だ in polite contexts; Trying to conjugate です for different persons

です・だ（コピュラ）: rules, examples & exercises | Japanese Grammar A1

です・だ（コピュラ）

A1 — 文型

The copula です/だ for stating identity and description

Can identify and describe things using the copula です/だ

The copula です/だ for stating identity and description

Examples

これは本です。 — This is a book.
私は田中です。 — I am Tanaka.
あの人は先生です。 — That person is a teacher.

文型A1

Copula です/だ

The copula です/だ for stating identity and description

Learning Goal

Can identify and describe things using the copula

Exam Skills:JLPT N5 GrammarJLPT N5 Reading

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

これは本です。

This is a book.

私は田中です。

I am Tanaka.

あの人は先生です。

That person is a teacher.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

です / だ — The Copula

Japanese uses です (polite) or だ (casual) where English uses 'is/am/are'. Unlike English, there is no conjugation for person or number — です works for all subjects.

Pattern: [Topic] は [Noun/Na-adjective] です。

Style	Form	Example	Meaning
Polite	〜です	私わたしは学がく生せいです。	I am a student.
Casual	〜だ	僕ぼくは学がく生せいだ。	I'm a student.

Usage notes:

Use です in class, with strangers, at work — any situation requiring politeness
Use だ with close friends, in inner monologue, in casual writing
Women sometimes omit だ entirely in casual speech: 「元げん気き？」「うん、元げん気き。」

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

Forgetting です at the end of polite sentences; Using だ with teachers or strangers. 🇬🇧 English speakers: Try to add articles — Japanese has no 'a/the'. 学生です means 'am a student' without any article.

これは本です。

This is a book.

これ (this) + は (topic marker) + 本(ほん, book) + です (is, polite copula)

私は田中です。

I am Tanaka.

私(わたし, I) + は + 田中(たなか, Tanaka) + です — introducing yourself

あの人は先生です。

That person is a teacher.

あの(that) + 人(ひと, person) + は + 先生(せんせい, teacher) + です

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

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Frequently asked questions

When is です・だ（コピュラ） used?: Japanese uses です (polite) or だ (casual) where English uses 'is/am/are'. Unlike English, there is no conjugation for person or number.
How is です・だ（コピュラ） formed?: Important: です is not a verb — it's a copula . It doesn't conjugate for person (I am, you are, he is → all です).
What are common mistakes with です・だ（コピュラ）?: Forgetting です at the end of polite sentences; Using だ in polite contexts; Trying to conjugate です for different persons