when to use あります vs です


I am not 100% sure that I get the difference between あります and です.

I understand parts of it, for example "わたしはマルクスです" using あります doesn't make
sense for me here as I think it is more of a "there is" word.

But in this sentence I am not sure about the difference, or how it would
translate

> ほんは つくえの うえに あります

vs

> ほんは つくえの うえに です

Does it translate differently and if it does, how?




I would use 'desu' when equating things.

> The book is red. (本は赤いです。)

I would not use 'desu' in your example for the book existing on the desk. In
that case 'aru' (or 'iru' for a living thing) is used.

*bonus point: When introducing oneself, it is not usual to start with わたしは as it is understood you are talking about yourself. It would be added at the beginning of sentences where you want the nuance of 'As for me...'

*bonus point: Men generally introduce themselves using 'ぼく' or 'おれ' nowadays and avoid 'わたし'

