G03 · Negation: じゃ ありません
Goal: say what something is not (6 example sentences).
Before you start
The sentences only use words you already know from hiragana, katakana and the beginner level.
This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:
What you learn
〜じゃ ありません
- じゃ ありませんnot to be (polite)
«A は B じゃ ありません» means «A is not B». It is the polite spoken form; in formal writing it is では ありません.
Examples
- わたしは せんせいじゃ ありません。watashi wa sensei ja arimasen.I am not a teacher.
- これは ほんじゃ ありません。kore wa hon ja arimasen.This is not a book.
- それは かさじゃ ありません。sore wa kasa ja arimasen.That is not an umbrella.
- きょうは やすみじゃ ありません。kyou wa yasumi ja arimasen.Today is not a day off.
- ここは びょういんじゃ ありません。koko wa byouin ja arimasen.This is not a hospital.
- これは かさです。kore wa kasa desu.This is an umbrella.
Practice
Two rounds: first you pick what each sentence means; then you complete it with the missing form.
Reading in context
A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.
In an office, someone asks a newcomer:
「せんせいですか」「いいえ、せんせいじゃ ありません。かいしゃいんです」
"sensei desu ka" "iie, sensei ja arimasen. kaishain desu"
What does the newcomer do?
Translation
"Are you a teacher?" "No, I'm not a teacher. I work for a company."