N5
Topic Marker は
Learn how は marks the topic and helps you read a sentence as “about X, ...”.
Recognize は as the topic marker in beginner sentences.Read topic-plus-comment patterns more smoothly.Remember that は is pronounced wa in this role.
Guided study
What the topic marker does
The particle は introduces the topic, the thing the sentence is about. In this role, the kana is written は but the sound is wa.
わたしはがくせいです。
I am a student.
The sentence is about わたし.
たなかさんはせんせいです。
Tanaka is a teacher.
きょうはやすみです。
Today is a day off.
Practice guides for this lesson
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N5 Japanese grammar lessons
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Open guideJapanese particles practice
Use the Japanese particles practice guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guideWa vs ga Japanese practice
Use the Wa vs ga Japanese practice guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
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