Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure: The Particle は (wa) and です (desu)

In English, we have the word "is," "am," or "are." We call this the "to be" verb. In Japanese, we use です (desu) for this. But there is a twist! Japanese sentences follow a different order than English. Instead of saying "I am a student," you say "As for me, student am." This might feel like Yoda-speak at first, but you will get used to it quickly. The particle は (wa) is like a spotlight. It shines on the word before it and says, "Hey, this is what we are talking about!" Together, は and です create the standard "A is B" structure. It is the polite way to state a fact or define something.

1. 1Creating a sentence with this pattern is as easy as 1-2-3-4. Just follow these steps:
2. 2Start with your Topic (Noun A). This is what you want to talk about.
3. 3Add the particle は. Even though it is written as "ha," you must pronounce it as "wa."
4. 4Add your Description (Noun B). This is the thing or characteristic you are identifying.
5. 5Close the sentence with です. In polite speech, the "u" at the end of です is almost silent. It sounds more like "dess."
6. 6Pattern: [Noun A] は [Noun B] です。
7. 7Example: わたし (I) + は + たなか (Tanaka) + です = わたしはたなかです。 (I am Tanaka.)

You should use this pattern whenever you want to identify yourself or something else. Imagine you are at a networking event in Tokyo. You would use this to say your name and your company. If you are shopping and see a mysterious fruit, you can point and say, "This is an apple." It is perfect for state-of-being sentences. Use it when:

• Introducing yourself: わたしは[Name]です。 (I am [Name].)
• Identifying objects: これはほんです。 (This is a book.)
• Stating your profession: かれはいしゃです。 (He is a doctor.)
• Describing nationality: あきこさんはにほんじんです。 (Akiko is Japanese.)

It is the "polite default." Use it with teachers, strangers, or colleagues to sound respectful.

This grammar is for identifying *what* things are, not *what they do*. If you want to say you are eating sushi, you need a different verb. です only handles the "is/am/are" part. Also, avoid using です in very casual situations with close friends. In those cases, you might use だ (da) or just drop it entirely. However, as a beginner, sticking to です is a safe bet. You will never get in trouble for being too polite! Also, don't use this for locations like "The book is on the table." That requires a different set of words entirely. Think of は and です as an equal sign: A = B.

The biggest trap for new learners is the writing of は. In Japanese, this character is usually read as "ha." But when it functions as a grammar particle, it magically changes to "wa." Yes, even native speakers think this is a bit weird. If you write わ (wa) instead of は, your Japanese teacher might cry a little. Another common slip-up is forgetting です. In English, we can sometimes shorten things, but in polite Japanese, leaving out です makes the sentence feel unfinished. It’s like a grammar traffic light that stays yellow instead of turning green. Finally, don't over-pronounce the "u" in です. If you say "desu-UUU," you will sound like a cartoon character. Keep it short and crisp: "dess."

You might eventually hear people using が (ga) instead of は. While both can mark a subject, は is about the Topic. Use は when you are setting the stage for a conversation. Use が when you want to emphasize specific information. For now, focus 100% on は. You might also encounter だ (da). だ is the casual version of です. If you are talking to your cat or your best friend, だ is fine. If you are talking to your boss, use です. Using だ with a stranger is like wearing pajamas to a wedding—it's just a bit too relaxed.