Speakable Japanese

How to Say "This is" in Japanese: Naming Objects (Kore wa ... desu)

In this lesson, we will learn one of the most basic and important expressions in the Japanese language. Let's learn how to point to an object in front of you and name it! Mastering this pattern will significantly expand your world.

🎯 Lesson Goal

Learn to confidently name objects that are right in front of you using the chunk 「これは〇〇です」 (Kore wa 〇〇 desu)!

Step 1 Discover

Let's look at how this is used in a real conversation. Two people are talking about items around them.

👨
Ken

これはペンです。

(Kore wa pen desu.)

👩
Sarah

あ、これもペンです。私のペンです。

(A, kore mo pen desu. Watashi no pen desu.)

💡

Did you notice?

Sarah uses "mo" to say "thistoo", and she uses "watashi no" to say "mypen". We will explain these useful tricks in Step 2!

Step 2 The Pattern

Here is the most powerful and useful chunk for naming objects.

Basic Chunk

これは です。

(Kore wa desu.)

🔑 Key Point: The Particle 'の' (no) for Possession

By adding the particle 「の (no)」 after a noun like 「私 (watashi)」, you express possession, creating phrases like 「私の (watashi no)」 — 'my'.
Example: 「私の本 (watashi no hon)」 means 'my book', and 「サラさんの猫 (Sarah-san no neko)」 means 'Sarah's cat'.

🌟 Pro Tip: Using 'も' (mo) for "this too"

When you are pointing to the same kind of item that someone just mentioned, replace 「は (wa)」 with 「も (mo)」 to say "this too". (e.g., "これもペンです" - Kore mo pen desu). It sounds very natural!

Step 3 Pattern Practice

Keep the chunk exactly the same, but swap the words in the blank. Read these out loud!

  • Item Book (hon)

    これは 本 です。

    (Kore wa hon desu.)

  • Possession My bag (watashi no kaban)

    これは 私のかばん です。

    (Kore wa watashi no kaban desu.)

  • Someone else's item Ken's coffee (Ken-san no ko:hi:)

    これは ケンさんのコーヒー です。

    (Kore wa Ken-san no ko:hi: desu.)

Step 4 Make It Yours!

This is the most important step! Create your own sentences using the objects around you. Pick words from the Cheat Sheet below.

👉 これは ITEM です。

Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Things Around You

  • かばん kaban (bag)
  • スマホ sumaho (smartphone)
  • つくえ tsukue (desk)
  • カメラ kamera (camera)

Food, Drinks & Animals

  • 水 mizu (water)
  • パン pan (bread)
  • 猫 neko (cat)
  • 犬 inu (dog)

Bonus Go Beyond the Basics

What if it's NOT a pen? And how do you say it casually to a friend? Here’s a quick guide to leveling up your conversation!

🙅‍♀️ 1. This is NOT... (Negative)

Basic / Formal

ペン ではありません。

(Pen dewa arimasen.)

Casual (Friends)

ペン じゃない。

(Pen ja nai.)

🤝 2. Friendly & Casual

Just the word

ペン。

("Pen" - dropping "desu")

With friendly emphasis

ペン だよ。

(Pen da yo.)

Summary Lesson Review

Pointing at Things: Use これは〜です (Kore wa ~ desu) to name an object that is close to you.

Expressing Possession: Add the particle 「の」(no) after a noun to show possession, like "Watashi no" (my).

Saying "This Too": Replace 「は」(wa) with 「も」(mo) to say "this too" (e.g., Kore mo pen desu).

Practice Drill

1 / X Polite

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