Lesson 37
Base 3 + no desu

There are two ways to look at this ending: one is simply another way to create polite sentences, and the other is a way to make emphatic ones.

We have already learned how to use Base 2 + masu to make polite sentences back in Lessons 2 and 3. Here are the examples used in Lesson 2:

• Mama wa mise de banana o kaimasu. (Mom buys/will buy bananas at the store.)
• Jim wa manga o yomimasu. (Jim will read a comic book.)
• Ojii-san wa sugu kaerimasu. (Grandpa will return soon.)

Remember these? I hope so. If not, please review them. Now we will end these same sentences by using Base 3 with no desu:

• Mama wa mise de banana o kau no desu. (Mom buys/will buy bananas at the store.)
• Jim wa manga o yomu no desu. (Jim will read a comic book.)
• Ojii-san wa sugu kaeru no desu. (Grandpa will return soon.)

The meanings are the same as Base 2 + masu as long as they're said in a regular, bland tone. However, if you want to emphasize something, especially something you're sure of (or think you're sure of), you put stress on the verb before no desu, as in:

• Ashita watashi wa Kyoto ni IKU no desu! (I AM going to Kyoto tomorrow!)
• Anta wa kono sashimi o TABERU no desu! (You WILL eat this raw fish!)
• Bokutachi no chiimu wa KATSU no desu! (Our team WILL win!)

A variant of this is to leave out the no and instead attach an "n" sound onto the stressed verb, like this:

• Watashi wa IKUN desu! (I AM going!)
• Ashita wa ame ga FURUN desu. (I tell you, it IS going to rain tomorrow.)

As in any other language, the level of emphasis can vary greatly depending on the situation, need, or habits of the speaker, and may be fine-tuned by using certain voice inflections and facial expressions, as well as supporting body language like hand waving, fist pounding, stomping around, writhing, and etc.

Word Check

anta: very familiar form of "you" ¹
sashimi: specially prepared raw fish
bokutachi: masculine familiar form meaning "we" or "us" (boku + tachi)
chiimu: team (wasei eigo)
katsu: to win

(Verbs are shown in their plain form.)

Notes

1. Care must be taken with anta because it is used when talking down to someone and will be considered rude in most non-familiar situations.

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