ではありません

de wa arimasen
phraseBeginner
formal

Is not, are not, or am not (formal negative statement)

これは本ではありません。

This is not a book.

彼らは学生ではありません。

They are not students.

💡

Used in formal contexts to negate a statement. The polite form of 'ではありません' is more formal than 'じゃない' (casual) or 'ではない' (written/formal).

Collocations

ではありませんかisn't it?ではありませんねisn't it?

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ではありませんかphrase
Isn't it?
ではありませんねphrase
Isn't it?

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Casual

Use 'ではありません' in formal contexts, such as business settings or when speaking to someone you respect. In casual conversation, 'じゃない' is more appropriate.

Gold Rule

Polite Negation

Always use 'ではありません' when you need to politely negate a statement in formal situations.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the combination of 'では' (a formal topic marker) and 'ありません' (the negative form of 'ある' or 'いる').

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in formal speech and writing to politely negate a statement. It is less common in casual conversation, where 'じゃない' is more frequently used.

Word Breakdown

では
topic marker indicating a formal statement
prefix
+
ありません
negative form of 'ある' or 'いる'
suffix
和英辞典