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文法 · JLPT N5 grammar
は
wa · as for ~ (topic marker)
は marks the topic: what the sentence is about. It is written with the hiragana は but read wa.
How to form it
| Noun + は | 私は学生です。 |
How it is used
は sets up what you are talking about, and the rest of the sentence comments on it. Once the topic is clear it is usually dropped: 「（私は）学生です。」
It also marks contrast: 「肉は食べますが、魚は食べません。」 (meat yes, fish no). As a first rule for は and が, は introduces something already known and が points at something new.
Examples
Tap a kanji for its reading.
- 私は田中です。I'm Tanaka.
- 今日は暑いですね。It's hot today, isn't it?
- この本は高いです。This book is expensive.
- 日曜日は休みです。Sunday is my day off.
Common mistake
- ✗ 私わ学生です。✓ 私は学生です。The topic marker is said wa but always written は.