This document discusses using simple sentences in Japanese with just a noun and です to say something is something. It notes that sentences often lack a subject when it is clear from context, but は can introduce the subject if it is not clear. Some example sentences are provided to demonstrate this, such as "I am a student" being expressed as 学生です. It also explains that particles like は attach phrases to the sentence, with は introducing a topic, and that Japanese does not distinguish between one thing and multiple things in the way English uses "a".
2. You can say something is something with just a noun and です.
(I) am a student
学生 です。
(The time) is half past twelve
十二時 半 です。
(My major) is the Japanese language
日本語 です。
Notice that these sentences lack a “subject” The subject is often left out of
Japanese sentences when it is clear who or what is being talked about.
3. If the subject is not clear you can introduce it with は
My major is the Japanese language.
専攻は日本語です。
せんこうは にほんごです。
The time is half past twelve.
時間は十二時半です。
じかんは じゅうにじはんです。
I am a student.
私は学生 です。
わたしは がくせいです。
In this case, は is a particle and
pronounced「わ」. Particles attach
phrases to the rest of the sentence.
Particle は introduces a topic for
discussion.
Japanese does not have a word that
corresponds to "a", nor do you need to
differentiate between one thing and
multiple things.
"I am a student" and "They are students"
can both be expressed as 「学生です」.
