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When I Google translate the following three sentences, it gives me the same answer. Can someone explain me the differences and when to use them?

  1. 僕は彼の兄です
  2. 僕は彼の兄います
  3. 僕は彼の兄でいます

It is all translated as "I am his brother".

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  • Google translation is useful for getting an idea of what something about. But it is completely useless for learning Japanese. Try it on the following strings: Jun 28, 2022 at 16:59

1 Answer 1

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僕は 彼の 兄です

It's safe to translate this as "I am his brother".

Question: Who are you?

Answer: 僕は 彼の 兄です = I am his brother

Question: How are you two related?

Answer: 僕は 彼の 兄です = I am his brother


僕は 彼の 兄 います

This is broken. It sounds like you're trying to say "I am his brother", but it's not a proper sentence.

"います" has several meanings - I recommend you research the word and go over some examples. One way of using います would be to explain that you have someone:

Question: Do you have a brother?

Answer: 僕には 兄が います (I have a brother)

Question: Do you have a boyfriend?

Answer: 僕には 彼氏が います (I have a BF)

The following are valid as a sentence:

  • 彼には 兄が います。それは 私です (He has a brother - that's me)
  • 彼には 私という 兄が います (He has a brother which is me)

僕は 彼の 兄で います

This is valid, but has a different message compared to the other examples. It sounds like you're saying "I will continue to be his brother".

Question: Could you continue to be his big bro until he finds a parent?

Answer: 彼が 大きくなるまで 僕は 彼の 兄で います (Until he grows up, I will continue being his brother)

Question: Will you remain a Japanese citizen or switch to Canadian?

Answer: 私は 日本人で います (I will stay Japanese)

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