Negative Sentence

Negative sentences are used when the action, existence, state, situation, etc. of a person or thing is different from a fact.

There are several formats of negative sentences in Japanese.

Negative sentences vary depending on the person you are talking to.

This page explains negative sentences in Japanese.

Negative Sentence Format

In a Japanese negative sentence, the predicate changes to “〇〇ません” or “〇〇ないです”.

This change is common whether the predicate is a verb, an i-adjective, a na-adjective or a noun.

“〇〇ません” is a slightly formal expression.

In everyday conversation, most people use “〇〇ないです”.

When a sentence whose predicate is a verb is negated, the predicate changes as follows.

⬇️ Negative sentence

When a sentence whose predicate is an i-adjective is negated, the predicate changes as follows.

⬇️ Negative sentence

When a sentence whose predicate is a na-adjective is negated, the predicate changes as follows.

⬇️ Negative sentence

When a sentence whose predicate is a noun is negated, the predicate changes as follows.

⬇️ Negative sentence

Below are several example sentences for four types of negative sentences when the predicate is a verb, an i-adjective, a na-adjective or a noun.

When a Predicate Is a Verb

When making a sentence whose predicate is a verb into a negative sentence, the predicate changes to “〇〇ません” or “〇〇ないです”.

When a Predicate Is an I-adjective

When making a sentence whose predicate is an i-adjective into a negative sentence, the predicate changes to “〇〇ません” or “〇〇ないです”.

When a Predicate Is a Na-adjective

When making a sentence whose predicate is a na-adjective into a negative sentence, the predicate changes to “〇〇ません” or “〇〇ないです”.

When a Predicate Is a Noun

When making a sentence whose predicate is a noun into a negative sentence, the predicate changes to “〇〇ません” or “〇〇ないです”.

Negative Question Sentence

A negative question sentence is a type of question sentence that combines a negative sentence with a question sentence.

For a negative sentence in a negative question sentence, use “〇〇ないです”. If you use “〇〇ません”, it will have a different meaning such as a suggestion.

To form a negative question sentence, add “か” to the end of the negative sentence and use a rising intonation at the end of the sentence when speaking.

When Talking with a Close Person

When talking with close friends, family, etc., the predicate changes from “〇〇ません” or “〇〇ないです” to “〇〇ない”.

There are many cases where no subject is added.

This change is common whether the predicate is a verb, an i-adjective, a na-adjective or a noun.

⚫︎ When a predicate is a verb

⬇️ When talking with a close person

⚫︎ When a predicate is an i-adjective

⬇️ When talking with a close person

⚫︎ When a predicate is a na-adjective

⬇️ When talking with a close person

⚫︎ When a predicate is a noun

⬇️ When talking with a close person