〜は

Formationnoun + は (pronounced wa)

は announces what the sentence is about, and everything after it is the comment on that topic. English often has no word for this, though as for gets close. Reach for it when you introduce something, switch to a new subject, or set one thing against another.

Examples

〜は is marked in each sentence. Tap any word for its dictionary entry.

1. このコーヒーはぬるいです。

   This coffee is not hot enough.

2. この赤あかちゃんは生後せいご3週間しゅうかんです。

   This baby is 3 weeks old.

3. 日本にっぽん大使館たいしかんはどこにありますか。

   Where is the Japanese Embassy?

4. 直なおしはどれくらいかかりますか。

   How long will it take for alterations?

5. 私わたしはほとんど１８０センチです。

   I am almost 180 centimeters tall.