Talk:Japanese/Lessons/What is that?

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How is __では　ありません pronounced, please? Is は a particle here and as such pronounced as 'dewa' or is it 'deha'? I think it would also be nice to clarify that in the lesson itself. Thanks a lot. --Hhanke 00:13, 17 Feb 2005 (UTC)


 * I'd like to know that too  :OAfter a little searching, it looks related to the particle (which makes sense, I suppose). It's pronounced "__ dewa arimasen". - Sik0fewl 05:13, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * On a completely different topic (addressed to the contributers of this book):It would be great if in addition to the regular exercises, there would be practice JPLT questions at the end of each lesson.


 * FYI, in this case it is pronounced "wa". When ｢は」is used as a particle (i.e. a subject marker), it is pronouced "wa". Otherwise, "ha". There might be exception, but that's what I was taught. :)  Also, IIRC, please note that 「では　ありません」is meant for use when referring to inanimate objects. When referring to people, the proper term is 「では　いません」. Lynx7725 05:43, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)


 * Lynx is mistaken about 「では　いません」. 「～ではありません」is used regardless of whether one is talking about people or not.
 * Also, in speech 「～ではありません」is usually contracted to 「～じゃありません」. - ToothingLummox 21:28, 25 August 2005 (UTC)


 * Lynx is also incorrect in calling ｢は」a "subject" marker. Although it is frequently translated as the English subject, it is instead a topic marker; it marks the preceding phrase as something the sentence is about. In future lessons we will undoubtedly see topics which are not subjects. --teb728 07:12, 5 September 2005 (UTC)

ToothingLummox is correct. I'd just like to add "...じゃあ ありません" for the same meaning. Also, "...では ない です" and its variations "...じゃ ない です" and "...じゃあ ない です" are used in some situations.


 * では ありません and its variants
 * あれ は ほし では ありません. - That is not a star. (are wa hoshi dewa arimasen)
 * わたし は なっとう が すき じゃ ありません. - I do not like natto (watashi wa nattou ga suki ja arimasen)
 * かれ は きむら さん じゃ ない です. - He is not Mr. Kimura. (kare wa kimura san ja nai desu)

Lynx7725 might be thinking about "...はありません" and "...はいません" matter. Both represent non-existance, but the former is used for inanimate objects while the latter is used for living things.


 * は ありません
 * ここ に は おかね は ありません. - There's no money here. / I have no money here. (koko ni wa okane wa arimasen)
 * ベルリン の かべ は もう ありません. - The Berlin Wall no longer exist. (berurin no kabe wa mou arimasen)
 * は いません
 * きょう かれ は いません. - He is absent today. (kyou kare wa imasen)
 * あの ねこ は もう いません. - The cat was gone... (ano neko wa mou imasen)

- Marsian / talk 10:00:40, 2005-09-05 (UTC)

Known page bugs

 * Questions should probably be introduced before それは何ですか.
 * ko-so-a-do could be introduced here. My feeling is that it might be better to avoid these words altogether until a little later.
 * mo doesn't need to be introduced here. Should it be?
 * no doesn't need to be introduced here. Should it be?
 * dialogue about apple and pear is silly. Replace with something more relevant.