JLPT N5 grammar
は (wa) — Meaning & Examples
topic marker
Marks what the sentence is "about." Often translated as "as for ~". Also signals contrast between two items. Written as は but pronounced "wa" as a particle.
は (wa) — The Topic Marker
は marks the topic of the sentence — what the sentence is "about." The topic is what you set up at the beginning before making a comment.
Structure: [Topic] は [Comment]
わたしは がくせいです。
(watashi wa gakusei desu)
— As for me, I am a student.
にほんは きれいです。
(nihon wa kirei desu)
— As for Japan, it is beautiful.
このほんは たかいです。
(kono hon wa takai desu)
— As for this book, it is expensive.
The topic marker は is often translated as "as for ~" — this is a useful way to understand it. The topic is what you are commenting on.
は marks contrast too:
コーヒーはすきです。でも、おちゃはきらいです。
— I like coffee. But as for tea, I dislike it.
(The は on both words signals contrast between them)
は vs no は:
わたしは にほんじんです。(topic)
わたし は まいにち べんきょうします。(same pattern, different sentence)
Practise は (wa) in the free app
This point is part of the “Particles は and が — Topic and Subject” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Particles は and が — Topic and Subject
Frequently asked questions
What does は (wa) mean?
Marks what the sentence is "about." Often translated as "as for ~". Also signals contrast between two items. Written as は but pronounced "wa" as a particle.
Is は (wa) on the JLPT N5 test?
は (wa) is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Particles は and が — Topic and Subject”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise は (wa)?
Open the “Particles は and が — Topic and Subject” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.