Japanese Copula

(Linking Verb)

Affirmative Negative

Nonpast desu dewa arimasen

(is, are, am, will be) (is not, are not, am not, will not be)

Past deshita dewa arimasen deshita

(was, were) (was not, were not)

Days of the Week

Nichiyōbi – Sunday
Getsuyōbi – Monday
Kayōbi – Tuesday
Suiyōbi – Wednesday
Mokuyōbi – Thursday
Kin’yōbi – Friday
Doyōbi – Saturday

Time-Related Terms
ototoi – the day before yesterday
kinō – yesterday
kyō – today
ashita – tomorrow
asatte – the day after tomorrow

Nihongo Handout: Copula

Prepared by: Ruel M. Magayanes