これは
kore wa
The English phrase "is this" is translated into Japanese as これは (kore wa).
これは is used to identify or ask about a specific object that is near the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the phrase これは serves both for the statement "this is" and the question "is this". The distinction is made through intonation or by adding a particle. To form a polite question such as "Is this…?", you should add ですか to the end of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
kore wa
Did you know?
- While これは refers to something near the speaker, Japanese has a three-way system for 'this'. You must use それは for things near the listener and あれは for things far from both people.
- The character は in これは is written as a particle, but it is pronounced like the syllable 'wa'.
- In very formal situations, instead of これは, a speaker might use こちら to be more polite, which can also mean 'this direction'.
Examples in context
- これは、クマ？Is this a bear?This example shows how to ask if an object is a bear using これは.Tatoeba #10839972 by small_snow, translation #8342334 by shekitten
- これは夢なのか？Is this a dream?This example demonstrates using これは to ask if a situation is a dream.Tatoeba #2047008 by bunbuku, translation #2045336 by CK
- これはトムの車？Is this Tom's car?This example shows how to use これは to ask about ownership of a car.Tatoeba #7462005 by Ninja, translation #7410472 by CK
- これは何ですか？What is this?
- 122 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking at a gift on the table.
- 陽太 Yotaこれは結衣さんのプレゼントですか？Kore wa Yui-san no purezento desu ka?Is this Yui's present?
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、これは陽太さんのですよ。Iie, kore wa Yota-san no desu yo.No, this is Yota's.
- 陽太 Yotaそうですか。これはとても素敵ですね。Sou desu ka. Kore wa totemo suteki desu ne.I see. This is very lovely.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、とても綺麗です。Hai, totemo kirei desu.Yes, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
