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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18. Can you say “What is that place over there?” in Japanese?

 18. koko/soko/asoko wa nan desuka? 



This structure pattern is used to ask about the name or purpose of a place.

A:ここは何ですか。 koko wa nan desuka?  What is this place?
B: (ここは) 自習室です。(koko wa) jishūshitsu desu.  This is a study room.

A: そこは何ですか。 soko wa nan desuka?  What is that place?
B: (そこは) 図書館です。(soko wa) toshokan desu.  This is a library.

A: あそこは何ですか。asoko wa nan desuka?  What is that place over there?
B:  (あそこは) 教室です。(asoko wa) kyōshitsu desu.  That place (over there) is a classroom.

"ここ(koko)/そこ (soko)/あそこ(asoko)" refers to the same place as "これ(kore)/それ(sore)/are(あれ)." "ここ(koko)" indicates a place that is close to the speaker. "そこ(soko)" indicates a place close to the listener. "あそこ(asoko)" indicates a place far from both the speaker and listener.


Instead of "koko/soko/asoko wa nan desu ka?", you can also say "この(kono)/その(sono)/あの(ano)+ Noun(place) wa nan desu ka?" to ask about a specific place.

この場所は何ですか。 kono basho wa nan desuka? What is this place?


To ask about the name of a place itself, use "Doko (where)" instead of "Nan (what)."

[A is asking B, a stranger on the street, where he is.]

A: ここはどこですか？koko wa doko desuka?  Where am I?
B:(ここは) 渋谷です。 (koko wa) Shibuya desu.  You are in Shibuya.


Location: Japan

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