Desu, the Copula
Desu is a copula. (a word used to link the subject of a sentence with a predicate) It shows that something is or isn't something else. It is one of the very few irregular forms in Japanese. Desu can act like the English "to be" (you know - is, am, are...) in the sense that desu is used to explain who or what something or someone is. It is also used when equating one thing with another.
Let's take a look:
ゾウは 大きい です。
zou wa ookii desu.
Elephants are large.
[elephants-(topic particle)-big-are]
これ は ねこ です 。
kore wa neko desu.
This is a cat.
[this-(topic particle)-cat-is]
Most of the time you want to use the to be verb you will use desu. Later we will learn other forms to show existence.
MAIN POINTS:
 |
is, are, am |
|
always at the end |
|
It doesn't change like its English cousin (is, are, am) in the present tense |
|
usually pronounced like "dess" |
(2 votes)
-
- Printer-friendly version
- Login or register to post comments
