Saying what something is not
Say that you are not a student, or that someone is not a doctor.
Coco-sensei
Learn
English adds “not” after “is” or “am.” For these Japanese noun sentences, change です to じゃ ない です. Keep the noun and change the ending; do not insert an English-style “not” somewhere earlier in the sentence.
| affirmative | negative | |
|---|---|---|
| common in speech | 〜です | 〜じゃ ない です |
| more formal | 〜です | 〜じゃ ありません |
Both endings give a polite negative statement. じゃ ない です is common in conversation. じゃ ありません sounds more formal. For now, practice the first and learn to recognize the second. Neither changes with “I,” “you,” or “she.”
Examples
マリア は 医者 じゃ ない です。
Maria is not a doctor.
私 は 日本人 じゃ ありません。
I’m not Japanese.
会社員 じゃ ありません。
I’m not a company employee.
lit. [The topic is understood.] Not a company employee.