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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar N1はN2じゃありません.
When someone asks you, “Are you a student?” and you want to deny it, what should you say? In such cases, you would say, “わたしは がくせいじゃ ありません。(Watashi wa gakusei ja arimasen)” in Japanese.
We have studied "N1はN2です."
"じゃ ありません (ja aimasen) "is negative form of です.
Today let's learn about "N1は N2じゃ ありません".
👉<Use>
"N1は N2じゃ ありません" is used to make a negative sentence with nouns.
"わたしは がくせいじゃ ありません" means "I am not a student."
👉<Form>
Basic form
N1+は+N2+じゃ ありません N=noun
Formal form
N1+は+N2+では ありません
"では(dewa)"is used instead of "じゃ" in more formal sentences. "では(dewa)"is more appropriate in the written language.
e.g. わたしは がくせいでは ありません。
Colloquial form
N1+は+N2+じゃ ないです
"ないです(naidesu)" is used instead of "ありません" in casual conversation.
e.g. わたしは がくせいじゃ ないです。
👉<Examples>
1. わたしは やまだじゃ ありません。
Watashi wa yamada ja arimasen.
I am not Yamada.
(N2: Name)
2. わたしは パクでは ありません。
Watashi wa Paku dewa arimasen.
I am not Park.
3. わたしは にほんじんじゃ ありません。
Watashi wa nihonjin ja arimasen.
I am not Japanese.
(N2:～じん：nationality/ race (e.g. にほんじん Japanese))
4. キムさんは かんこくじんじゃ ありません。
Kimu-san wa kankokujin ja arimasen.
Mr.Kim isn't South Korean.
5. ブラウンさんは アメリカじんじゃ ないです。
Buraun-san wa amerikajin ja naidesu.
Mr.Brown isn't American.
6. たなかさんは かいしゃいんじゃ ありません。
Tanaka-san wa kaishain ja naidesu.
Ms.Tanaka is not an office worker.
(N2:Occupation)
7. わたしは いしゃじゃ ありません。
Watashi wa isha ja arimasen.
I am not a doctor.
(N2:Occupation)
8. わたしは いしゃでは ありません。
Watashi wa isha dewa arimasen.
I am not a doctor.
9. わたしは いしゃじゃ ないです。
Watashi wa isha ja naidesu.
I am not a doctor.
Video Explanation
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
Find a Japanese Tutor on italki →Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson1), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
