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I was wondering what exactly the difference between the two of these is. I always thought that じあありません was informal while ませんでした was simply the more formal version of speech. One of my friends, (also learning Japanese) said that they were two different things, however, with different genders. Both meant “didn’t” but the former was masculine while the latter was feminine. Kinda confused here, but if anyone has their input it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sayuri
Dont listen to your friend. Masculine and feminine? That’s a new one to me! :P
The ません is negative and adding でした makes it past negative.. They are both formal.
Hope that helps! :)-
This reply was modified 12 years, 4 months ago by
zeldaskitten.
=^..^=
AnonymousThat masculine/feminine thing is nonsense.
ません is negative, past negative with でした.Maybe should’ve stuck with French
Okay, Thanks guys!! I’ll have to give her trouble for that one. ^ ^
じゃありませんでした is the formal version of じゃなかった。
These suffixes are used for nouns or な-adjectives if they come at the end of the sentence.
ie) きれいじゃなかった or きれいじゃありませんでした
Both mean “…wasn’t clean.”ませんでした is the formal version of なかった。
These suffixes are used for verbs.
ie) たべなかった or たべませんでした
Both mean “…didn’t eat.”I hope that clears it up.
@missingno- how did you know that I took French??
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This reply was modified 12 years, 4 months ago by
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