Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 2: 2/12

Emphasis (sentence ending particle)

Used when conveying new information to the listener

Structure
Sentence +
Details
Part of Speech Particle
Word Type Sentence Ending Particle
Register Standard
品詞 助詞
単語の種類 終助詞
使用域 一般
Information
is classified as a 終助詞(しゅうじょし) (sentence ending particle) in Japanese. In most cases, it is used to convey new information to the listener, or just to add a bit of emphasis. Like most sentence ending particles, it is simply added to the end of almost any sentence.
  • それ熱(あつ)
    That is hot!
  • 明日(あした)雨(あめ)だ
    It's going to rain tomorrow!
Despite the regular use of being to convey new information, it is very regularly paired with , to convey the meaning of ‘right?!’. Literally it means something closer to ‘I think (A), and I bet you think (A) too!’.
  • あれ先生(せんせい)だ
    That over there is a teacher, right?
  • 車(くるま)高(たか)
    Don't you think cars are expensive?
Caution
Did you notice that there is a after the noun, but not the い-Adjective? This is not a unique rule for , but just one of the regular conjugation rules introduced in the lessons for い-Adjectives and な-Adjectives. It is also acceptable to use です after either type of adjective (or noun).
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トム足(あし)早(はや)い
Tom has fast feet. | Tom is a fast runner.
[Said to someone who doesn't know that Tom is a fast runner.]
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私(わたし)背(せ)高(たか)い
I am tall.
[Said to convince someone you really are tall]
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野球(やきゅう)楽(たの)しい
Baseball is fun.
[Said to someone who doesn't know that baseball is fun]
Play  
Online
Books
Genki I
Page 38
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 66
みんなの日本語 I
Page 38 [CH 5]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 46 & 543
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 80