XはYです

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Here are the key points of this lesson: Omission of the subject (Xは) Using 'は' for clarity Nouns in Japanese” Omission of the subject (Xは) In Japanese, sentences often omit subjects when the context makes them clear, unlike in English where subjects like "I" or "it" are typically included.  For example, "I am a student," "My major is Japanese language," and "It is 12:30" translate into Japanese as "がくせいです," "にほんごです," and "12じはんです," respectively, without direct subjects. Using 'は' for clarity If the context doesn't provide clarity, Japanese sentences can start with a topic marked by "wa" (は in hiragana), indicating "As for X, it is Y.” For example,  “わたしは がくせいです" (As for me, I am a student), “せんこうは にほんごです" (As for my major, it is Japanese language), and "じかんは12じはんです" (As for the current time, it is 12:30). The particle "wa" (は), used to denote ...

Kana

Kana consist of phonetic syllables. 

There are two parallel syllables: Hiragana and Katakana. Hiragana is used mainly for native Japanese words, and Katakana is used mainly for foreign words.



Here is Hiragana and Katakana lists.
Note:
You may think these letters:"さ", "さ", "さ" are different but they express the same letter "sa." The difference between them is only fonts. One is used Mingcho, another is Gothic, and the other is  Boldface/fullface type.Mingcho is mainly used in documents for printings for books, magazines, newspapers and so on especially body. Gothic is mainly used in documents for printings for books, magazines, newspapers and so on, especially title, head lines where you want to emphasize. Boldface/fullface type is mainly used in textbooks for students.
Above the lists (Hiragana/Katakana) are written in Boldface/fullface type.

Here is points you must be careful with.

When you write:
  • Make sure that "や/ヤ, "ゆ/ユ", "よ/ヨ", "つ/ツ"  have small letters too ("ゃ/ャ", "ゅ/ュ", "ょ/ョ", "っ/ッ") and distinguish them (write them smaller than the other kana), when you write.
  • When you write long vowel mainly in Katakana, you need to use this sign "ー." This sign is used for long vowel. For example, アイスクリーム (ice cream).
  • "は/ハ" can be added not only two dots ( ゛)but also p-sound sign ( ゜).  e.g. "ば/ぱ, バ/パ."

When you pronounce:
  • When kana is used in parts of a word, pronounce each kana with equal length, and pronounce the word with pitch accent instead of stress accent.
  • When you pronounce small "っ/ッ", you don't need to say /tsu/ but you take a pause for a second. 
  • "じ/ジ" and "ぢ/ヂ"are pronounced the same /ji/, and "ず/ズ" and "づ/ヅ" are pronounced the same /zu/. And also, "お/オ" and "を/ヲ" are pronounced the same/o/. Besides, "お/オ" is used for noun and "を/ヲ" is mainly used as a particle.
  • "は/ハ" is pronounced /ha/ when it is used for consisting a noun but if it is used as a particle, it is pronounced /wa/.  e.g. 母 [haha] noun (mother) 母は医者です。[haha wa isha desu ] particle (My mother is a doctor.)

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