Search from various English teachers...
Christy
Whats the difference between "desu" and "imasu"?
Jan 29, 2012 3:47 AM
Answers · 6
1
"desu" can be used to end the sentence with a slight polite way.
like
watashi-no ie-desu わたしの いえです。
watashi-no haha-desu わたしの ははです。
watasi-ga suki-na manga-desu わたしの すきな まんがです。
koneko-wa kawaii-desu こねこは かわいいです。
nihon-ga suki-desu にほんが すきです。
"imasu" can be divided 2part like this [i-masu]
[i(iru)] -is a kind of copula. the function is similar with linking verb
(is,am, are)
"masu" can make the verb polite.
iki-masu 行きます、いきます(I'm going to go.)
yomi-masu 読みます、よみます(I'm reading.)
mi-masu 見ます、みます(I'm seeing.)
tabe-masu食べます、たべます(I'm eating.)
This "masu”-form always come at the end of a complete sentence.
desu-form and masu-form can make a polite sentence in Japanese.
watashi-wa iku →watasi-wa iki-masu
watashi-wa taberu→ watashi-wa tabe-masu
watashi-wa yomu →watashi-wa yomi-masu
January 29, 2012
desu is used to express the "copula",the verb to be in english.
example:
"Christy-san wa ii desu."(Christy is fine,is good,okay.)
"Christy-san wa ii desu ka?"(this ka means a question,so all the things turn into a question like : Is Christy fine?)
"imasen"(negative) "imasu"(affirmative)
imasu is a verb which means to exist(only for living things like,a cat,dog,persons and etc)
"koko wa neko ga imasu ka?" (Is an cat there?)
I`m a japanese learner like you,but i think this is the right answer,if someone(native speaker) see this,and say that is wrong,please point why!! thanks!
January 29, 2012
imasu = somebody is somewhere
desu = hundreds of meanings, but generally serves as the copula in the phrase: "this is that".
January 29, 2012
I think “desu”means“is”,“imasu”means“someone is here”.For example,“あの人は男desu”means“That person is a man”,“ここにいますか?”means“Is he here?”.In fact,there are some different usage between two words.But I don't know all useage because I haven't learned Japanese.Sorry,I can't help you.
January 29, 2012
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Christy
Language Skills
English, Japanese
Learning Language
Japanese
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
10 likes · 7 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
9 likes · 2 Comments
More articles