>This got me wondering is desu is just a short version of dewa arimasu. No, it is not a short version. >Do desu and dewa arimasu mean the same thing? No, they mean different. ( Only conclusions for now. Let me tell you the details and reasons later here ). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *** です(desu) "desu" has been used since 500 years before. Its origin is unkown. Some says it is a short form of "で候(de sourou)" *** ではあります(dehaarimasu) = で＋は＋あります "は" here indicates "emphasize". であります is also sytactically correct. *** Diffrence. - A wa B desu : A is B - A wa B dewaarimasu. That A is B is right (however...) *** usage of ではあります - あたりまえのことではありますが。 although it is not to be metioned https://www.wantedly.com/companies/dip/post_articles/106591 - カフェではありますが although it is a cafe. https://www.tripadvisor.jp/ShowUserReviews-g298230-d7449789-r298774145-Y_s_Cafe-Matsuyama_Ehime_Prefecture_Shikoku.html - 春休み真っ最中ではありますが although it is in the middle of our spring vacation. https://tomiyou.exblog.jp/28227849/

I think that is probably correct, however I have never heard anyone say "de wa arimasu" before. Usually, the long form is only given when it is negative; "de wa arimasen." From that, I can logically see how you would think of "de wa arimasu." If you want to ask a Japanese person about this, here is how I would ask: "(nihongo de) desu to iu no wa, de wa arimasu no shouryaku desu ka?" （日本語で）「です」というのは、「ではあります」の省略ですか？ "Is 'desu' an abbreviation for 'de wa arimasu?'" I put "nihongo de" in parentheses, because, contextually, it isn't necessary to say that.

Desu is just confirming ur name his this things name for example . Watashi wa jori desu . And dewa armisan it means it is not . So for example ( anata wa nihon desu ka ) meaning are u japanese , and if ur not japanese you'd respond with (iie, dewa armisan . And say where ur from . Hope this help