Sentences Using Desu
Let’s start by looking at basic sentences that use verb “desu”, which is the equivalent to the English verb “be” (am, are, is).
Japanese Sentences using “desu” usually follow this basic structure:
Subject/TOPIC |
PARTICLE |
DESCRIPTION |
VERB TO BE |
[topic] |
WA |
(something that describes the topic) |
DESU |
YOU |
|
BOOK |
READ |
Click each sentence below to see some simple example sentences.
Subject/TOPIC |
PARTICLE |
DESCRIPTION |
VERB TO BE |
[topic] |
WA |
(something that describes the topic) |
DESU |
I |
|
A STUDENT |
AM |
WATASHI |
WA |
GAKUSEI |
DESU. |
わたし |
は |
がくせい |
です。 |
Subject/TOPIC |
PARTICLE |
DESCRIPTION |
VERB TO BE |
[topic] |
WA |
(something that describes the topic) |
DESU |
THIS |
|
A BOOK |
IS |
KORE |
WA |
HON |
DESU. |
これ |
は |
ほん |
です。 |
Subject/TOPIC |
PARTICLE |
DESCRIPTION |
VERB TO BE |
[topic] |
WA |
(something that describes the topic) |
DESU |
THE CAR |
|
BLACK |
IS |
KURUMA |
WA |
KUROI |
DESU. |
くるま |
は |
くろい |
です。 |
Location Words (Demonstratives)
Demonstratives in Japanese “identify” the location or frame of reference of subjects and topics in various ways following a general pattern as follows:
こ = This (near the speaker)
そ = That (near the listener)
あ = That Over There (not near the speaker or listener)
ど = Question form when asking a question
A summary of the multiple patterns is shown below, and more details and examples of each set are provided in the click tabs below that.
Summary of Patterns
This/That/That Over There/Which これ、それ、あれ、どれ
This/That/That Over There/Which (with a Noun) この、その、あの、どの
Here/There/Over There/Where ここ、そこ、あそこ、どこ
This/That/That over There/Which (One) どちら、そちら、あちら、どちら
The first pattern expresses the location or frame of reference WITHOUT the noun following the location/demonstrative:
This/That/That Over There/Which これ、それ、あれ、どれ
Examples:
I want to buy this (near me). 私はこれを買いたいです。
Please show me that (near you)? （あなたは）それを見せてください。（見せて＝Show）
How much is that over there? あれはいくらですか。
Which (one) will you buy? どれを買いますか。
The second pattern expresses the location or frame of reference WITH the noun following the location/demonstrative:
This/That/That Over There/Which この、その、あの、どの
Examples:
I want to buy this wallet (near me). 私はこのさいふを買いたいです。
Please show me that camera (near you)? （あなたは）そのカメラを見せてください。（見せて＝Show）
How much is that shirt over there? あのシャツはいくらですか。Which shoes will you buy? どのくつ（靴）を買いますか。
The third pattern expresses the location (with frame of reference) of something.
Here/There/Over There/Where ここ、そこ、あそこ、どこ
Examples:
The book is here (near me). 本はここです。（Or ここにあります）
The car is there (near you). くるま（車）はそこです。（Or そこにあります）
The school is over there (not near me or you). 学校はあそこです。（Or あそこにあります）
Where is the library? としょかん（図書館）はどこですか。（Or どこにいりますか）
The fourth pattern expresses the location (with frame of reference) of a something (usually a person, or a side, or a direction). This is very similar to the pattern just above but is often used in different contexts (especially for people).
Here/There/Over There/Where こちら・そちら・あちら・どちら
Examples:
This (person) (near me) is my friend Sarah. こちらは（が）私の友達、サラです。（Or にいます）
That (person) (near you) is the new teacher. そちらは（が）新しい先生です。（Or にいます）
That (person) (over there) is my mom. あちらは（が）母です。（Or にいます）
Who (which person) is taking the test? どちらがしけん（試験）をとりますか。
Question Words
This is a review of basic question words studied throughout Levels 1, 2 and 3, but a few alternatives that may be new are included as well. Remember that the “question words” will appear in the question, but they will be replaced with the “answer” in the reply (so they would not be included in the reply statements).
Who? だれ（誰）・どなた
What? なに・なん（何）
Which? どれ・どの・どちら・どんな
When? いつ・なんじ（何時）
Where? どこ
Why? どうして・なぜ（何故）
How? どうやって
Examples:
Who is that (person over there)? だれ（誰）(ORどなた) ですか。
What is your name? お名前は何ですか。（Pronounced なん）
What will you read? 何を読みますか。（Pronounced なに）
Which (one) will you buy? どれを買いますか。
Which candy will you eat? どのあめ（飴）を食べますか。
Which (person) is your dad? どちらが（あなた）のお父さんですか。
Which/what kind of pizza do you like? どんなピザが好きですか。
When is the party? パーティーはいつですか。
What time is the party? パーティーは何時ですか。
Where is the concert? コンサートはどこですか。
Why are you going to Japan? どうして（あなたは）日本に行きますか。
Why are you not going shopping today? なぜ（何故）あなたは行かないのでですか。
How do I go from the school to the department store? どうやって学校からデパートに行きますか。