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 ...
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3. Can you ask someone’s name in Japanese?

3. N1 wa N2 desuka?




In Japanese, we use "N1 wa N2 desuka" to ask questions.

A: (anata wa) Maiku-san desuka? Are you Mike?

B: hai (watashi wa) Maiku desu. Yes, I am.

Add "ka" to the end of a sentence to form a question. For instance, "anata wa Maiku-san desuka?" means "Are you Mike?" To reply, you can omit "watashi wa" if it's clear who is being referred to. So, if asked, "Maiku-san desuka?" you can answer with "hai, Maiku desu."


When responding "yes," use "hai" followed by an affirmative sentence. For "no," use "īe" followed by a negative sentence.

A: Chin-san wa sensē desuka? Is Chen a teacher?

B: īe Chin-san wa sensē dewa arimasen. No, Chen isn't a teacher.


You can also use "hai sō desu" to answer "N1 wa N2 desu ka" questions.

A: Maiku-san desuka? Are you Mike?

B: hai, Maiku desu. Yes, I am.

However, note that "hai sō desu" cannot be used in other sentence structures like "N wa I-adj. desu."

A: anata no heya wa hiroi desuka? Is your room large?

B: hai sō desu. Yes, it is. [Wrong]
    
    hai hiroi desu. Yes, it is. [Correct]

If asked, "anata no heya wa hiroi desuka?" meaning "Is your room large?" do not answer with "hai sō desu." Instead, reply with "hai hiroi desu" (Yes, it is large).


Location: Japan

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