Meaning
Forms the past of a na-adjective.
Formation
- Plain: na-adjective + だった: 静かだった
- Polite: でした: 静かでした
When to use it
- Core use
- Forms the past of a na-adjective
Examples
14 sentences-
昔この町は静かだった
This town was quiet in the past.
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パーティーはにぎやかでした
The party was lively.
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子供の時、この公園はきれいでした
When I was a child, this park was beautiful.
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昨日の試験は思ったより簡単だった
Yesterday's exam was easier than I expected.
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このアプリは便利でした
This app was convenient.
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夜の図書館は静かでした
The library at night was quiet.
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この道具は丈夫でした
This tool was sturdy.
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駅のトイレはきれいでした
The station toilet was clean.
6 more examples
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その問題は簡単でした
That problem was easy.
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祖母は元気でした
My grandmother was well.
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今日の予定は大変でした
Today's schedule was demanding.
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この町は安全でした
This town was safe.
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その店員は親切でした
That shop assistant was kind.
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あの建物は有名でした
That building was famous.
Important notes
- The adjective stays the same and the copula carries the past: 静かだった, polite 静かでした. Before a noun: 静かだった町.
Common mistakes
- Do not stack the endings (元気だったでした) or keep な before them (きれいなでした).
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
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