JLPT N5 reference · Adjectives and description
な-adjectives
な-adjectives use な before a noun and だ or です when they complete a predicate. Many describe qualities, states, or classifications.
Core meaning and form
The linking form and predicate form must stay distinct: 静かな町 but 町は静かです.
- 静かな部屋.
- 部屋は静かだ / 静かです.
- 静かではない / 静かではありません.
Examples in context
京都は有名です。Kyōto wa yūmei desu.Kyoto is famous.
元気な子どもです。Genki na kodomo desu.It is an energetic child.
この辺は便利ではありません。Kono hen wa benri dewa arimasen.This area is not convenient.
Common errors
- Do not put な before the final です.
- Do not treat きれい as an い-adjective just because it ends in い.
Quick summary
- Use な directly before a noun.
- Use だ or です in an affirmative predicate.
- Negative and past forms use the copula system.