MOTOKYO

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[Learn Japanese] Lesson 2-"This is Ramen"

Use of “wa” and “desu”

Goal:

Let’s start with the simplest sentence. Goal of this lesson is to learn the simplest Japanese grammar structure lesson.

What is it:

Is/am/are are “desu” in Japanese.

“wa” is a particle supports the subject.

In the case below, A is the subject. So you will add “wa” after the subject.

“A” is “B”

A wa B desu.

Subject (wa) + Object/noun (desu)

We will call this “WA” as a supporting particle called “JOSHI” in Japanese.

“Mastering “JOSHI”, Mastering Japanese”

Please remember that and we will learn more Joshi in the future.

Example Phrases

Kore wa Ramen desu.

これはラーメンです。

This is Ramen.

Kore is “This”, and this is the subject noun in this.

Ko-re (これ)=This.

“Wa” is the supporting particle to add after the subject/noun and “desu” is to finish the sentence with some politeness.  

De-su (です) =is

Watashi wa Nick desu.

わたしはニックです。

I am nick.

watashi(わたし)= I


  • “Desu” can be removed for casual setting conversation, often in friends conversation.

    “Kore wa Ramen” (desu)

    “Kore wa Sushi”

“Kore was Ko-hee desu” —This is Coffee.

Japanese sentence ends with VERB.

Because of it, many times, you will not know until the sentence ends, unlike in English, that verb comes right after the subject.

ENGLISH) This is Ramen-is the verb of this sentence, comes right after This.

JAPANESE) Kore wa ramen desu-desu is the verb comes at the end.

“Desu” is the verb in this case, but if we want to say “this is NOT Ramen”.

  • Then, we will adjust the verb “desu” to say the negative meaning at the end (will learn in the future).


That is it for today.

Please look at the PDF for more detail.




Lastly, here are the 2 great spots for Tonkotsu Ramen and local Coffee spot.

Any Questions, please email Motokyo.

Also, if you want to chat in Japanese with me, please start a chat thru this link.