How do you say "Is not" in Japanese?

"Is not" in Japanese is "ではありません". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Is not’ in Japanese

Q: What does "ではありません" mean in English?

"ではありません" means "Is not" in English. Usage tip: [ではありません] is a polite negative form meaning “is not / are not.” It is common in careful speech and writing. Fun shortcut: in conversation, people often use the softer [じゃありません] or simpler [ではない].

ではありません

de wa ari mase n

[de wa ari mase n]

💬 Usage Tip: [ではありません] is a polite negative form meaning “is not / are not.” It is common in careful speech and writing. Fun shortcut: in conversation, people often use the softer [じゃありません] or simpler [ではない].

🇯🇵 In Japan: Polite negative forms like [ではありません] sound formal and respectful, which fits many public, classroom, and service situations in Japan.

Phrase Breakdown

で

[de]

in / at / as

A particle or helper element used in grammar patterns; here it is part of ではありません.

Example

ここで勉強します。

I study here.

は

[wa]

topic marker

The particle は marks the topic of the sentence; it is pronounced 'wa' in this use.

Example

これは本です。

This is a book.

あり

ari

[ari]

exist / be

The stem of ある, meaning 'to exist' for things; here it is part of ありません.

Example

時間がありました。

There was time.

ませ

mase

[mase]

polite negative ending part

This is part of the polite negative form ません, used to make a verb negative.

Example

今日は行きません。

I will not go today.

ん

[n]

not

This completes the negative ending ません or the formal negative phrase ありません.

Example

それは犬ではありません。

That is not a dog.

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