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 ...

12. Can you say “this is my watch” in Japanese?

 12. N1 no N2 (2) N1 indicating a place



In Japanese, we use a specific structure pattern to talk about the place of production, birth, or affiliation. This pattern is commonly used when referring to the school or company someone belongs to.

これは日本の腕時計です。(Kore wa Nihon no udedokei desu.) This is a Japanese watch.

リンさんは中国の学生です。(Rin-san wa Chūgoku no gakusei desu.) Rin is a Chinese student.

私は日本大学の学生です。(Watashi wa Nihon Daigaku no gakusei desu.) I am a student at Japan University.

Just like in English, where we differentiate between "watch" and "clock," in Japanese, we also distinguish between "腕時計 (udedokei)" and "時計 (tokei)".


If you want to inquire about the place of production, birth, or affiliation, you can use the phrase "どこの" (doko no).

For instance:

A: これはどこのお茶ですか?(Kore wa doko no ocha desu ka?) Where is this tea from?
B: それはインドのお茶です。(Sore wa Indo no ocha desu.) It's tea from India.

A: あれはどこの車ですか?(Are wa doko no kuruma desu ka?) Where is that car from?
B: それは日本の車です。(Sore wa Nihon no kuruma desu.) It's a car from Japan.

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