Use は to build and understand simple Japanese sentences. After a noun, は introduces what the sentence is about; as a particle it is pronounced “wa”.
The idea
After a noun, は introduces what the sentence is about; as a particle it is pronounced “wa”. In the cat sentence, は makes the cat the topic and the rest says that it is sleeping. A time expression such as today can also become the topic with は, sometimes suggesting a contrast.
| Phrase | Continuation |
|---|---|
| 私は | 学生です |
| 猫は | 寝ています |
| 今日は | 休みです |
Examples
- 私は学生です。I am a student.
- 田中さんは先生です。Tanaka is a teacher.
- 私は家でお茶を飲みます。I drink tea at home.
- 私の本は机の上にあります。My book is on the desk.
- 私たちは七時に学校へ行きます。We go to school at seven.
- 今日は休みです。Today is a day off.
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Watch out
A topic is not always the grammatical subject. は can also mark contrast, so do not translate it mechanically as “is”.
Try it yourself
私＿学生です。（は／を）
Show answer or example answer
は
After a noun, は introduces what the sentence is about; as a particle it is pronounced “wa”.
猫＿寝ています。（は／を）
Show answer or example answer
は
In the cat sentence, は makes the cat the topic and the rest says that it is sleeping.
今日＿休みです。（は／を）
Show answer or example answer
は
A time expression such as today can also become the topic with は, sometimes suggesting a contrast.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
私＿学生です。（は／を）
猫＿寝ています。（は／を）
今日＿休みです。（は／を）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two Japanese sentences using は. Explain what each means, then compare the forms with the examples.