Migii JLPT
Migii JLPT
Open Migii JLPT app
Open
BackBack

Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 4

Structure of である:

Noun + である
[な]Adjective + である

Details about である:

である (or であります) is a construction in Japanese that is considered to be the formal equivalent of . This should not be confused with the polite speech word です, as である is simply a combination of the conjunctive form of , and the う - Verb, ある.
である may be used in any place that would usually be used, but is most likely to be found at the end of sentences/statements.
  • 日本一(にほんいち)デカい博物館(はくぶつかん)この博物館(はくぶつかん)である
    The largest museum in Japan is this one.
  • ここから(かな)しいこと()きるのである
    This is where something sad starts to happen. (Here comes the sad bit)
  • 私達(わたしたち)()えた運命(うんめい)であります
    It is destiny that we met.
である

Usage Notes for である:

であります (as opposed to である) is very formal, and will almost exclusively be used by people within jobs that absolutely require this level of formality (politics, police force, military, etc). Due to this, its use within regular conversation will sound stiff, or perhaps even like the speaker is jokingly being over polite.
  • 名前(なまえ)はタナカであります
    My name is Tanaka! (Responding to a person in a higher rank in a military)
  • 最後(さいご)プリン()べた(わたし)であります
    I am the one who ate the last pudding. (Jokingly polite)

Synonyms for である:

がある
To be, There is
To be, Is
です
To be, Is
たる
To be (in a position of), As a, For

Example of である

(かれ)とてもハンサムある

He is very handsome.

(かれ)はパイロットであった

He was a pilot.

とても面白(おもしろ)ドラマある

It is a very interesting drama.

題名(だいめい):「吾輩(わがはい)(ねこ)ある。」

Title: 'I am a cat.'

(ゆめ)海外(かいがい)成功(せいこう)することある

My dream is to be successful overseas.

Grammar same lesson

(Particle) + の

Combined particles
See detailsreport

すると

Having done..., If...is done..., (And/just) then, Thereupon, If so
See detailsreport

そうすると

Having done that..., If that is done..., (And/just) then, Thereupon, If so
See detailsreport

(Noun) + 型(がた)

Model, Type, Pattern, Kind, Shape, Size(d)
See detailsreport

ところで

By the way, Incidentally
See detailsreport
Practice
JLPT Practice
Review after tedious theory lessons.
Practice nownext
Practice
JLPT Mock Test
Let’s see how far you’ve honed your knowledge!
Take mock test nownext
Close image