【JLPT N5 Grammar】XはYです（~wa ~desu）

2019年4月15日 2024年10月29日

Explanation：XはYです

Meaning
"X is Y"

Used as a basic sentence structure to describe or define something in a polite and straightforward way. It translates as "is" or "am/are" in English, making it one of the most essential phrases for beginners learning Japanese.

The particle "は" is topic marker, so before "は" indicates the topic of the sentence. "です（desu）" is "is/am/are" in English. This is used with nouns or adjectives and works as a predicate

Structure

[Noun X] は [Noun Y] です: This structure simply states "X is Y" in a polite form.

Example: わたしは　がくせいです。(I am a student.)

Points

Polite Affirmation: Used to affirm that something is something else in a polite manner.
Basic Sentence Structure: This pattern is foundational in Japanese, often the first taught to express simple, polite statements.
Structure: Follows the pattern [X] は [Y] です, where [X] is the subject and [Y] is the description or identity of [X].

JLPT Level
N5