What's mean

Learning Japanese Forum - Ask a Tutor
1

I just wanted to know what’s mean である。(dearu) in the final of the phrase.Thank very much.

2

It’s a form of the copula “です” but more for formal writing.

3

吾輩（わがはい）は猫である＝私は猫です
wagahai wa neko dearu = watashi wa neko desu
This is the title of well-known Souseki Natume’s book which is written in 1905.

4

Thank you!

5

Hitomi,

What percentage of Souseki’s language is contemporary? Does his language sound old to contemporary ears?

6

Hitomi or anyone?

7

Hi, I’ m back.
Some of the expressions and vocabs in his book does sound old,
but understandable to my “modern” ears.
I have no difficulty reading his master pieces.
Let’s see, they are something like Sir.Conan Doil English?
Old but not as different as the Shakespeare.

8

Hi, I’ m back.
Some of the expressions and vocabs in his books does sound quite old,
but understandable to my “modern” ears.
I have no difficulty reading his master pieces.
Let’s see, they are something like Sir.Conan Doil English?
Old but not as different as the Shakespeare.

9

Thanks Hitomi :slight_smile:

10

Would Miyazawa Kenji be more or less the same ?

11

Well yes, but Miyazawa is more like a poet so that his expressions are rather unique to himself, especially onomatopoeia.

12

Thanks a lot. m(_ _)m