Speakable Japanese

How to Use I-Adjectives in Japanese: Describing Things

Hello! In previous lessons, you learned to talk about the existence of objects and people. In this lesson, we will add "color" to your world.
We will study "i-adjectives," which will help you describe the state of things or share your impressions. Once you master this, your expressions will become much richer and more emotional!

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to use "i-adjectives" in the form 「〜は、〜です」 ([Object] wa, [Adjective] desu) to describe states and express impressions!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used to share impressions in a real conversation.

👩🏼
Emma

日本語の勉強は、とても 難しいですね。

(Nihongo no benkyou wa, totemo muzukashii desu ne.)

👨🏻
Ken

はい。でも、とても 面白いですよ！

(Hai. Demo, totemo omoshiroi desu yo!)

💡

Did you notice?

Both adjectives ("muzukashii" and "omoshiroi") end with the sound"い (i)". This is the signature trait of the vocabulary we are learning today!

Step 2 The Pattern

Here is the basic structure for describing an object or phenomenon.

Basic Chunk

は です。

( wa desu.)

🔑 Key Point 1: What are "I-adjectives"?

"I-adjectives" are descriptive words that end with the Hiragana character 「い (i)」. Examples include 大きい (ookii) - big, and 美味しい (oishii) - delicious.

🌟 Key Point 2: The Negative Form (〜くないです)

To say something is not [adjective], you drop the final 「い (i)」 and add 「くないです (kunai desu)」.
Example: 大きい (ookii) → 大きくないです (ooki-kunai desu).

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Read these examples out loud to get comfortable with both positive and negative statements!

  • Food (Delicious) This sushi is very delicious.

    この寿司はとても おいしい です。

    (Kono sushi wa totemo oishii desu.)

  • Place (Big) Tokyo is big.

    東京は 大きい です。

    (Toukyou wa ookii desu.)

  • Entertainment (Negative) That movie is not very interesting.

    あの映画はあまり おもしろくない です。

    (Ano eiga wa amari omoshirokunai desu.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

This is the most important step! Try to express your opinion about things around you or things you like using the cheat sheet below.

👉 NOUN は I-ADJECTIVE です。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

State / Condition

  • 大きい ookii (big)
  • 小さい chiisai (small)
  • 新しい atarashii (new)
  • 古い furui (old)

Impressions / Feelings

  • おいしい oishii (delicious)
  • おもしろい omoshiroi (interesting)
  • むずかしい muzukashii (difficult)
  • やさしい yasashii (easy/kind)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

In real life, you'll need to say things aren't true, and you'll want to speak casually with friends. Here’s a quick guide to leveling up your i-adjectives!

🙅‍♀️ 1. It is NOT... (Negative)

Basic / Formal (Polite)

大きく ないです。

(Ooki-kunai desu.)

Casual (Friends)

大きく ない。

(Ooki-kunai.)Just drop the "desu"!

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual (Positive)

Just the adjective

大きい。

("Ookii" - completely drop "desu")

With friendly emphasis

大きい よ。

(Ookii yo.)Adds a helpful/informing tone.

Summary Lesson Review

I-Adjectives: Descriptive words that end with the Hiragana 「い」(i), like 大きい (ookii) or おいしい (oishii).

Basic Structure: Use 〜は [i-adjective] です to describe the state or your impression of an object.

Negative Form: Drop the final 「い」(i) and add くないです (kunai desu) to make an i-adjective negative.

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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