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Basic statements of identity (past tense)
だった・でした
datta / deshita
だった / datta and でした / deshita are the two past forms of the copula. The first is the plain form, and the second is the polite form. Below are two example sentences that illustrate their usage:
Plain form
彼は学生だった。
Kare wa gakusei datta.
He was a student.
Polite form
彼女は先生でした。
Kanojo wa sensei deshita.
She was a teacher.
Check this out! Kana Flashcards (Japanese and English Edition) [Cards]
じゃなかった・じゃありませんでした
ja nakatta / ja arimasen deshita
The above two items are the past tense of the copula. In the now familiar pattern, one is the plain form, and the other is the polite form.
Plain form
彼は学生じゃなかった。
Kare wa gakusei ja nakatta.
He was not a student.
Polite form
彼女は先生じゃありませんでした。
Kanojo wa sensei ja arimasen deshita.
She was not a teacher.