What it means
です is the polite copula, used to state that something is something or has a certain quality. It corresponds to “am,” “is,” or “are” in English and usually appears at the end of a polite sentence. With nouns and na-adjectives, the familiar counterpart is だ. With i-adjectives, the adjective itself can end a familiar sentence, while です is added for politeness.
Usage note
With i-adjectives, do not add だ directly after the adjective; use the adjective alone in familiar speech or add です in polite speech. です can also follow a noun or na-adjective, where it marks polite register rather than adding a separate meaning.
How to use it
これは本です。
This is a book.
この町は静かです。
This town is quiet.
このりんごは甘いです。
This apple is sweet.
これは本だ。
This is a book.
この町は静かだ。
This town is quiet.
このりんごは甘い。
This apple is sweet.
Example sentences
これは駅の案内図です。
This is a station map.
明日は休みです。
Tomorrow is a day off.
その図書館は静かです。
That library is quiet.
私の兄は会社員です。
My older brother is a company employee.
あの建物は病院です。
That building is a hospital.