Core Function
は marks the topic of a sentence - what you're talking about.
Pronunciation: Written は but pronounced "wa"
私は学生です
watashi wa gakusei desu
"As for me, (I'm) a student"
Main Uses
1. Introducing Topics
Set the context for your statement:
これは本です - "This is a book"
東京は大きいです - "Tokyo is big"
猫は好きです - "I like cats" (general statement)
2. Contrasting
Implies "but not others":
寿司は好きですが、刺身は嫌いです
"I like sushi, but I dislike sashimi"
ビールは飲みますが、ワインは飲みません
"I drink beer, but I don't drink wine"
Even without explicit contrast:
ビールは飲みます
"I drink beer (but maybe not other things)"
3. General Statements
Known or general information:
犬は動物です - "Dogs are animals"
水は大切です - "Water is important"
4. Existing Topics
When the topic is already established:
A: 田中さんはどこですか？
"Where is Tanaka?"
B: 田中さんは図書館です
"Tanaka is at the library"
は vs が
Key differences:
| は (wa) | が (ga) |
|---|---|
| Sets topic/context | Identifies subject |
| Known information | New information |
| General statements | Specific emphasis |
| Can show contrast | No contrast |
私は学生です
"I am a student" (general statement)
私が学生です
"I am the student" (emphasis: me specifically)
See: は vs が Explained
Position
Usually comes after the first or second word:
私は毎日勉強します
"I study every day"
今日は雨です
"Today it's raining"
With Other Particles
は can replace が, を, but not に, で, へ:
Replaces が
雨が降る → 雨は降る
"Rain falls" → "As for rain, it falls"
Replaces を
寿司を食べる → 寿司は食べる
"Eat sushi" → "Sushi, I eat (but not other things)"
Combines with に/で/へ
東京には行きます (に + は = には)
"To Tokyo, I'll go"
図書館では勉強しません (で + は = では)
"At the library, I don't study"
Common Patterns
Topic + Description
象は鼻が長い
"Elephants have long trunks"
(As for elephants, noses are long)
Question-Answer
Q: 何を飲みますか？
"What will you drink?"
A: 水を飲みます
"I'll drink water" (answering what, not topic)
But if asked about topic:
Q: あなたは何を飲みますか？
A: 私は水を飲みます
Double は
Can have two は for double contrast:
私は魚は好きですが、肉は嫌いです
"As for me, fish I like, but meat I dislike"
Omitting は
In casual speech, は often dropped when obvious:
Formal: 私は学生です
Casual: 学生です
"(I'm) a student"
Key Takeaways
✓ Marks the topic/context
✓ Written は, pronounced "wa"
✓ Creates contrast (implicit or explicit)
✓ Use for general statements
✓ Different from が (subject marker)
Related: