Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 1: 3/12

は

As for... (Highlights sentence topic)

は can be also used to contrast several things

Structure

Sentence topic + は, Pronounced "わ"

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Particle

  • Word Type

    Linking Particle

  • Register

    Standard

  • 品詞

    助詞

  • 単語の種類

    係助詞

  • 使用域

    一般

About は

は (pronounced わ) is often considered to be one of the most difficult particles to master in Japanese, alongside が. は marks the topic of the sentence, and describes the whole sentence broadly. However, が primarily marks single actions or statements. We will explore this distinction in more detail when covering が.

In many sentences (especially short ones), either は or が would be considered perfectly natural.

In the first sentence, は broadly describes what the sentence is about. In the second sentence, は again describes the whole sentence, but が highlights one specific piece of information.

Caution

は cannot be used to describe things that you are seeing or experiencing 'in the moment' (right now). This is due to 'in the moment' events being considered part of a larger experience (your whole day for example).

  • 今(いま)はテスト。
    I have a test now. (Slightly unnatural, as the test is happening 'right now')
  • 今日(きょう)は、雨(あめ)。
    It will rain today. (Natural, as rain is a fairly broad event)

Caution

は has 2 main functions. The first marks the topic of the sentence, the second is used for contrast or making comparisons. Although there are no 'strict' rules for this, when は is used toward (or after) the middle of a sentence, it will usually have the nuance of contrast.

  • 私(わたし)は、金曜日(きんようび)が好(す)き。
    I like Fridays. (Focus is on Friday)
  • 私(わたし)は、金曜日(きんようび)は好(す)き。
    I like Fridays. (Focus is on the comparison to other days)

In the second sentence, は will give the listener the impression that there is a comparison being made.

Examples

  • 私(わたし)はトムです。

    I (as the topic of this sentence) am Tom.

  • あなたはジムです。

    You (as the topic of this sentence) are Jim.

  • トムは先生(せんせい)です。

    Tom (as the topic of this sentence) is a teacher.

  • カレンダーは必要(ひつよう)です。

    A calendar (as the topic of this sentence) is necessary.

  • 私(わたし)は忙(いそが)しいです。

    I (as the topic of this sentence) am busy.

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は – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (13 in total)

  • Savannah

    Savannah

    Yes, I also would like to know what this mea...

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    This makes sense if you translate は as “As for [the topic of]…”.

    When you’re talking with your friend about puppies:
    子犬はかわいいね。-- “puppies are cute”, talking about puppies in general, as a topic
    子犬がかわいいね。-- “those puppies are cute”, talking about a specific puppy, or focusing on puppies out of all animals

    When you’re standing in front of a pet store talking about puppies in...

  • jacobalbano

    jacobalbano

    Hi all, been a it’s been a while since I posted. I’m a very satisfied (former) customer and I help moderate a Japanese-learning discord community, where I recommend Bunpro to pretty much everyone I meet. However, the other day one member (who had picked up Bunpro at my suggestion) posted about this blurb on the は grammar point page, which has apparently been added since my sub ended last year:

Got questions about は? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

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