は (wa) - Topic Particle
Summary
The particle は is known as the topic particle and serves as a marker for the topic of a sentence. In Japanese, the topic is the main idea of a sentence, or what is being described. In Japanese, the topic is frequently omitted from future sentences or when its obvious.
Common Functions of the Particle は
1. Identifying a topic/Describing a noun
Japanese
EX1: これはペンです
EX2: この本は面白いです
EX3: 私は韓国人です
Romaji
kore wa pen desu
kono hon wa omoshiroi desu
watashi wa kankokujin desu
English
This is a pen
This book is interesting
I am Korean
Recordings (Japanese)
EX1
EX2
EX3
EX1
Japanese
これはペンです
Romaji
kore wa pen desu
English
This is a pen
EX2
Japanese
この本は面白いです
Romaji
kono hon wa omoshiroi desu
English
This book is interesting
EX3
Japanese
私は韓国人です
Romaji
watashi wa kankokujin desu
English
I am Korean
2. Asking questions about a noun
Japanese
EX1: その人は誰ですか？
EX2: お手洗いはありますか？
EX3: 娘さんは何歳ですか？
Romaji
sono hito wa dare desu ka?
otearai wa arimasu ka?
musume-san wa nan sai desu ka?
English
Who is that person?
Do you have a restroom?
How old is your daughter?
Recordings (Japanese)
EX4
EX5
EX6
EX4
Japanese
その人は誰ですか？
Romaji
sono hito wa dare desu ka?
English
Who is that person?
EX5
Japanese
お手洗いはありますか？
Romaji
otearai wa arimasu ka?
English
Do you have a restroom?
EX6
Japanese
娘さんは何歳ですか？
Romaji
musume-san wa nan sai desu ka?
English
How old is your daughter?
3. Making comparisons
Japanese
EX1: このビールは好きじゃないです
EX2: 私はトマトは嫌いです
EX3: 私はサッカーは苦手です
Romaji
kono bi-ru wa suki ja nai desu
watashi wa tomato wa kirai desu
watashi wa sakka- wa nigate desu
English
I don’t like this beer (but, I like other beers)
I don’t like tomotoes (but I like other vegetables)
I’m not good at soccer (but I am good at other sports)
Recordings (Japanese)
EX7
EX8
EX9
EX7
Japanese
このビールは好きじゃないです
Romaji
kono bi-ru wa suki ja nai desu
English
I don’t like this beer (but, I like other beers)
EX8
Japanese
私はトマトは嫌いです
Romaji
watashi wa tomato wa kirai desu
English
I don’t like tomotoes (but I like other vegetables)
EX9
Japanese
私はサッカーは苦手です
Romaji
watashi wa sakka- wa nigate desu
English
I’m not good at soccer (but I am good at other sports)
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