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 ...

17. Can you say “Both orange and apple are fruit” in Japanese?

 17. Including both N1 and N2 with "N1(mo) N2 (mo)"




The "N1N2" structure is used to talk about two people or things together. N1 and N2 must belong to the same category.

オレンジリンゴ果物です。
orenji mo ringo mo kudamono desu. 
Both oranges and apples are fruits.

中国韓国アジアの国です。
chūgoku mo kankoku mo ajia no kuni desu. 
Both China and Korea are Asian counties.


This structure is also used to answer that neither of them is correct. Negative expressions are used at the end of the sentence.

A: リンさんもウォンさんもタイの学生ですか?
Rin-san mo Ō-san mo tai no gakusē desuka? 
Are both Ling and Wong Thai students?

B: いいえ、リンさんウォンさんタイの学生ではありません。
īe, Rin-san mo Ō-san mo tai no gakusē dewa arimasen.
No, neither Ling nor Wong are Thai students.


However, this structure cannot be used to answer that only one of them is correct. In that case, you need to change "(mo)" into "(wa)."

A: リンさんもアナンさんもタイの学生ですか?
Rin-san mo Anan-san mo tai no gakusē desuka? 
Are both Ling and Anan Thai students?
B: いいえ、リンさんタイの学生ではありません。アナンさんはタイの学生です。
īe, Rin-san wa tai no gakusē dewa arimasen. Anan-san wa tai no gakusē desu.
No, Ling isn't a Thai student. Anan is a Thai student.


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