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All About Japanese Particles: わ (wa)

[Serie: All About Japanese Particles]

Note: (1) This wa is writen with the kana わ (or ワ), as opposed to は (or ハ), used for particle #1. (2) Wa is used mainly by women.

1. Indicates emotion or feeling of admiration.

今夜のオペラは、本当にすばらしかった
Kon’ya no opera wa, hontō ni subarashikatta wa.
The opera tonight was absolutely fabulous.

この生け花は見事です
Kono ikebana wa migoto desu wa.
This flower arrangement is simply splendid!

2. Softens the tone of a statement.

ほかの店で買った方がいいと思う
Hoka no mise de katta hō ga ii to omou wa.
I think it would be better to buy it at another store. / I think you had better buy it at another store.

私の方が悪かったわ。ごめんなさい
Watashi no hō ga warukatta wa. Gomen nasai ne.
It was all my fault. I’m so sorry.

– Source: All about particles – A handbook of Japanese function words


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