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〜は〜です

Learn the core structure of Japanese identity sentences using the topic marker は and the copula です.

In Japanese, sentences follow the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order. To describe identity or state "X is Y", we use the topic marker は (pronounced wa) after the topic, and the polite copula です (desu) at the end of the sentence:

私は学生です。

I am a student.

In this structure:

  • 私は (watashi wa) is the topic/subject (I)
  • 学生 (gakusei) is the noun (student)
  • です (desu) is the verb/copula (am)

Practice

Follow along with these examples to strengthen your understanding.

Stage 1

私は学生です。

I am a student.

Stage 2

私は医者です。

I am a doctor.

Stage 3

これは本です。

This is a book.

Stage 4

これは傘です。

This is an umbrella.

Stage 5

あれはカメラです。

That over there is a camera.

Stage 6

あれは鍵です。

That over there is a key.

Stage 7

彼女は先生です。

She is a teacher.

Stage 8

彼は先生です。

He is a teacher.

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